Hurricane Lake Dam

Hurricane Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Nelson County, Kentucky, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Hurricane Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Hurricane Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Hurricane Hills Resort Inc (private). It impounds the Wilson Creek near West Point.

The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 490 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 535 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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 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 06/11/2025.

At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateKentucky
CountyNelson
Nearest CityWest Point
River/StreamWilson Creek
Coordinates37.83306, -85.64083

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height45 ft
Dam Height45 ft
Dam Length490 ft
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage535 acre-ft
Max Storage535 acre-ft
Normal Storage406 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerHURRICANE HILLS RESORT INC
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection06/11/2025
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDKY00091
Federal IDKY00091
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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