Martin County Water District No 1 Dam
Martin County Water District No 1 Dam is an earth dam located in Martin County, Kentucky, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Martin County Water District No 1 Dam
The primary purpose of Martin County Water District No 1 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 Martin County Water District (local government). It impounds the Rockcastle Creek near Inez.
The dam stands 66 feet tall and stretches 410 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1969, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 11/17/2025.
At 66 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Martin |
| Nearest City | Inez |
| River/Stream | Rockcastle Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.87869, -82.51887 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Height | 66 ft |
| Dam Length | 410 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 543 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | MARTIN COUNTY WATER DISTRICT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 11/17/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00106 |
| Federal ID | KY00106 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |