Otter Lake Dam
Otter Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Hopkins County, Kentucky, built in 1959. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Otter Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Otter Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Christopher Peers (private). It impounds the Otter Creek near Hanson.
The dam stands 28 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 26 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 695 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1959, 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 03/18/2025.
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 | Hanson |
| River/Stream | Otter Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.40656, -87.51801 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Height | 28 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1959 (67 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 695 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 695 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 229 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 26 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | CHRISTOPHER PEERS |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 03/18/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00858 |
| Federal ID | KY00858 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |