Beshear Lake Dam
Beshear Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Caldwell County, Kentucky, built in 1962. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Beshear Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Beshear Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Commonwealth Of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Piny Creek near Dawson Springs.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 794 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 17,837 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 28 square miles. Completed in 1962, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/21/2025.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Caldwell |
| Nearest City | Dawson Springs |
| River/Stream | Piny Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.14840, -87.68156 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1962 (64 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 17,837 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 17,837 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,809 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 794 acres |
| Drainage Area | 28 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00044 |
| Federal ID | KY00044 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |