Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment dam
Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment
Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment in Peach Orchard, Kentucky, is a privately owned facility primarily used for tailings storage. This Earth-type dam stands at an impressive height of 258 feet, with a storage capacity of 2,169 acre-feet. Despite being unregulated by the state, the Mine Safety and Health Administration oversees its operations and inspections, highlighting the potential hazards associated with this high-risk structure.
Located in Lawrence County, Kentucky, this impoundment poses a significant risk due to its high hazard potential, although its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Available." With no emergency action plan in place, the lack of updated information on emergency contacts, inundation maps, and risk assessment further accentuates the need for improved risk management measures. As a key feature in the local landscape, the Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper monitoring and maintenance of water resource facilities in the face of changing climate conditions.
As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, it is essential to stay informed about structures like Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment and their potential implications for the surrounding environment. With the dam height and storage capacity in mind, as well as the absence of certain regulatory measures, there is a pressing need for increased oversight and risk management strategies to ensure the safety and integrity of this critical infrastructure. By advocating for proactive measures and accountability in the management of water resources, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for communities like Peach Orchard and beyond.
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 Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Tug Fork At Kermit | 457 cfs | → |
| Levisa Fork At Paintsville | 561 cfs | → |
| East Fork Twelvepole Creek Near Dunlow | 9 cfs | → |
| Tug Fork At Williamson | 356 cfs | → |
| Johns Creek Near Meta | 15 cfs | → |
| Licking River Below Mason Fork Nr Salyersville | 49 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment.
Boat launches
- Levisa Fork Boat Ramp
- Bartram Branch Boat Ramp
- Lick Creek Boat Dock
- Mudlick Branch Boat Ramp
- Grayson Road Elliott County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Windy Bay Fishing Site
- Ramey Creek Fishing Site
- Muskie Bend Fishing Site
- Shallow Flats Wildlife Viewing Area
Paddle runs
Track Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment 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 Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment
Where does the data for Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment 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 Bear Branch Slurry Impoundment.