Mt Sterling Dam
Mt Sterling Dam is an earth dam located in Montgomery County, Kentucky, built in 1960. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Mt Sterling Dam
The primary purpose of Mt Sterling 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 Mount Sterling (local government). It impounds the Slate Creek near Howards Hill.
The dam stands 61 feet tall and stretches 680 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 172 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,265 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 12/17/2025.
At 61 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Montgomery |
| Nearest City | Howards Hill |
| River/Stream | Slate Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.01994, -83.84685 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 61 ft |
| Dam Height | 61 ft |
| Dam Length | 680 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,265 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,265 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,270 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 172 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | CITY OF MOUNT STERLING |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 12/17/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00305 |
| Federal ID | KY00305 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |