Curtis Begley Lake
Curtis Begley Lake is an earth dam located in Owsley County, Kentucky, built in 1970. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Curtis Begley Lake
The primary purpose of Curtis Begley Lake is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Dencil Begey (private). It impounds the Tr-elk Lick near Idamay.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 370 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 186 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1970, 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 05/07/2025.
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 | Owsley |
| Nearest City | Idamay |
| River/Stream | Tr-elk Lick |
| Coordinates | 37.48278, -83.75583 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 370 ft |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 186 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 186 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 116 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | DENCIL BEGEY |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 05/07/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00531 |
| Federal ID | KY00531 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |