Grayson Dam dam
Grayson Dam
Located in Carter, Kentucky, Grayson Dam, also known as Grayson Lake, serves as a vital flood risk reduction structure on the Little Sandy River. Constructed in 1968 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this rockfill dam stands at a structural height of 120 feet, with a hydraulic height of 89 feet and a dam volume of 1,180,000 cubic yards. With a normal storage capacity of 29,390 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,510 acres, Grayson Dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region.
The dam features uncontrolled spillways, outlet gates including slide and valve gates, and has a hazard potential rated as high. An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) has been prepared and regularly updated to ensure effective response in case of a dam-related emergency. The US Army Corps of Engineers employs risk management measures to monitor the dam's condition, prioritize risk-reduction activities, and collaborate with local emergency managers to enhance public awareness and preparedness. Despite its critical flood risk reduction purpose, Grayson Dam also serves recreational, fish and wildlife pond, and other purposes, highlighting its multi-faceted role in water resource management in the area.
In conclusion, Grayson Dam stands as a key infrastructure asset in Carter, Kentucky, playing a pivotal role in flood risk reduction on the Little Sandy River. With its high hazard potential and risk management strategies in place, the dam not only safeguards the local community from potential flooding but also supports various recreational and environmental initiatives. As a Federal-owned structure, Grayson Dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
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 Grayson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sandy River At Grayson | 60 cfs | → |
| Tygarts Creek Near Greenup | 31 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Ironton | 41,400 cfs | → |
| North Fork Triplett Creek Near Morehead | 23 cfs | → |
| Ohio River At Greenup Dam Near Greenup | 44,600 cfs | → |
| Upper Twin Creek At Mcgaw Oh | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Grayson Dam.
Boat launches
- Grayson Road Elliott County
- 4 C'S Trail Carter County
- Village South Point
- 16th Street Ashland
- Center Street Landing
- Paragon-Craney Road Rowan County
Campgrounds
- Johson Homeplace
- North Fork - Dfwr
- Paragon
- Paragon Dispersed Camping Area
- Clay Lick - Dfwr
- Twin Knobs Rec Area
Track Grayson 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 Grayson Dam
Where does the data for Grayson 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 High 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 Grayson Dam.