Bridge Fork Dam
Bridge Fork Dam is an earth dam located in McCreary County, Kentucky, built in 1930. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Bridge Fork Dam
Bridge Fork Dam is a dam in McCreary, Kentucky. The dam is owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad (private). It impounds the East Apple Tree Branch near Cumberland Falls State Park.
The dam stands 105 feet tall and stretches 1,450 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 11 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1930, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 08/04/2016.
At 105 feet, this dam is taller than 98% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | McCreary |
| Nearest City | Cumberland Falls State Park |
| River/Stream | East Apple Tree Branch |
| Coordinates | 36.71196, -84.47514 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 105 ft |
| Dam Height | 105 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,450 ft |
| Year Completed | 1930 (96 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 11 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Other |
| Owner | NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/04/2016 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00568 |
| Federal ID | KY00568 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |