Elmer Davis Lake Dam
Elmer Davis Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Owen County, Kentucky, built in 1958. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Elmer Davis Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Elmer Davis Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Commonwealth Of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Severn Creek near Gratz.
The dam stands 68 feet tall and stretches 520 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 148 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,650 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1958, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 09/06/2024.
At 68 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Owen |
| Nearest City | Gratz |
| River/Stream | Severn Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.49528, -84.88222 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 68 ft |
| Dam Height | 68 ft |
| Dam Length | 520 ft |
| Year Completed | 1958 (68 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,650 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,650 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,151 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 148 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 09/06/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00059 |
| Federal ID | KY00059 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |