Fern Lake Dam
Fern Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Bell County, Kentucky, built in 1890. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Fern Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Fern 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 The Nature Conservancy (private). It impounds the Yellow Creek near Middlesboro.
The dam stands 53 feet tall and stretches 1,080 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 100 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,300 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1890, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 12/17/2025.
At 53 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Kentucky dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Bell |
| Nearest City | Middlesboro |
| River/Stream | Yellow Creek |
| Coordinates | 36.59167, -83.70444 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 53 ft |
| Dam Height | 53 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,080 ft |
| Year Completed | 1890 (136 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,300 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,300 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 100 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | The Nature Conservancy |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 12/17/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00086 |
| Federal ID | KY00086 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |