Olive Hill Reservoir Dam
Olive Hill Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Carter County, Kentucky, built in 1957. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Olive Hill Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Olive Hill Reservoir 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 City Of Olive Hill (local government). It impounds the Perry Branch near Clark Hill.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 475 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 21 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 340 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1957, 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 02/17/2026.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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 | Carter |
| Nearest City | Clark Hill |
| River/Stream | Perry Branch |
| Coordinates | 38.31205, -83.21319 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Length | 475 ft |
| Year Completed | 1957 (69 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 340 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 340 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 230 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 21 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF OLIVE HILL |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 02/17/2026 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00114 |
| Federal ID | KY00114 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |