Laurel Dam dam
Laurel Dam
Laurel Dam, also known as Laurel Lake, is a Federal-owned rockfill dam located in Burnside, Kentucky. Completed in 1973, the dam stands at a hydraulic height of 282 feet and has a length of 1420 feet, with a storage capacity of 435,600 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, with additional functions including flood risk reduction, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply.
The dam is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and is classified as having a high hazard potential. USACE employs various risk management measures, including regular monitoring of the dam's condition, prioritizing activities to mitigate risks, and collaborating with local emergency managers to develop emergency action plans and evacuation procedures. The dam's risk characterization acknowledges that while dams can help manage water levels, severe weather events can lead to overflow and potential issues.
USACE's proactive approach to managing dam-related flood risks ensures the safety and integrity of Laurel Dam. By engaging with stakeholders and continually updating emergency plans, USACE demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the dam's resilience in the face of changing climate conditions and potential hazards.
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 Laurel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls | 449 cfs | → |
| Lynn Camp Creek At Corbin | 4 cfs | → |
| Rockcastle River At Billows | 35 cfs | → |
| Cumberland River At Williamsburg | 379 cfs | → |
| Buck Creek Near Shopville | 6 cfs | → |
| Clear Fork At Saxton | 48 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Laurel Dam.
Boat launches
- Grove Whitley County
- Ky 3497 Laurel County
- Whitley County
- Redbird Road Whitley County
- I 75 Rockcastle County
- Battleground Road Livingston
Campgrounds
- Holly Bay Campground
- Holly Bay Rec Area
- Craigs Creek Group Use Area
- Grove Boat-In Campground
- White Oak Boat-In Campground
- Grove Rec Area
Paddle runs
- Kentucky Road 80 Bridge To Downstream Part Of Rockcastle Narrows
- 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek
- Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River
- Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679
- Tn/Ky State Line To White Oak Junction
- Turkey Foot Campground To Confluence With South Fork Of Station Camp Creek
Track Laurel 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 Laurel Dam
Where does the data for Laurel 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 Laurel Dam.