John Thomas Lake Dam dam
John Thomas Lake Dam
John Thomas Lake Dam in Anderson, Kentucky, stands as a testament to responsible water resource management and climate resilience. Completed in 2008, this earth dam serves primarily for recreation, offering a serene oasis for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty of John Thomas Lake. With a height of 38 feet and a length of 260 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 82.6 acre-feet, providing a vital water source for the surrounding area.
Managed by a private owner and regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water, John Thomas Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway to manage excess water flow during heavy rainfall events. Furthermore, the risk assessment of the dam indicates a moderate risk level, prompting the implementation of appropriate risk management measures.
Located on Benson Creek and surrounded by the picturesque landscape of Anderson County, John Thomas Lake Dam serves as both a recreational hub and a critical piece of infrastructure in the region. With its commitment to safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship, this dam exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of water resource management and climate adaptation in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around John Thomas Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salt River At Glensboro | 16 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 5 Near Tyrone | 896 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 4 At Frankfort | 814 cfs | → |
| Kentucky River At Lock 6 Near Salvisa | 912 cfs | → |
| Elkhorn Creek Near Frankfort | 114 cfs | → |
| Brashears Creek At Taylorsville | 332 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near John Thomas Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Beaver Lake Public Boat Ramp
- Tyrone Main Street Anderson County
- Van Buren Road Anderson County
- Oregon Landing Road Mercer County
- Corps Of Engineers Tailwater Road Spencer County
- Great Crossing Walking Path Scott County
Track John Thomas Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About John Thomas Lake Dam
Where does the data for John Thomas Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of John Thomas Lake Dam.