Loch Mary Reservoir Dam
Loch Mary Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Hopkins County, Kentucky, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a unsatisfactory condition assessment.
About Loch Mary Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Loch Mary 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 Earlington (local government). It impounds the Clear Creek near Earlington.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 1,300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 148 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 04/08/2025.
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.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Hopkins |
| Nearest City | Earlington |
| River/Stream | Clear Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.27383, -87.51891 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,350 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,350 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 148 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF EARLINGTON |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Unsatisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 04/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00148 |
| Federal ID | KY00148 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |