East Fork Clarks River Frs 28a

About East Fork Clarks River Frs 28a

The primary purpose of East Fork Clarks River Frs 28a is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Marshall County Conservation District (local government). It impounds the East Fork Clarks River near Shady Grove.

The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 2,230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 96 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,208 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 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 unsatisfactory, indicating serious safety deficiencies exist that require immediate attention or remedial action. The most recent inspection on record was 04/11/2025.

At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 85% 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.

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