Pine Knob Dam

About Pine Knob Dam

The primary purpose of Pine Knob Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by James D. Fisher (private). It impounds the Pine Knob Creek near Pine Knob.

The dam stands 25 feet tall and stretches 295 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 160 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.

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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. The most recent inspection on record was 04/23/2025.

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.

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