Colony Unit 4
Colony Unit 4 is an earth dam located in Fayette County, Kentucky, built in 1997. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Colony Unit 4
The primary purpose of Colony Unit 4 is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Michael Harrison (private). It impounds the Unnamed Tributary To Wolf Run.
The dam stands 18 feet tall and stretches 400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1997, the structure is 29 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 02/26/2025.
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 | Fayette |
| River/Stream | Unnamed Tributary To Wolf Run |
| Coordinates | 38.03889, -84.56389 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1997 (29 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 60 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 33 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MICHAEL HARRISON |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY01144 |
| Federal ID | KY01144 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |