Shillito Park Dam
Shillito Park Dam is an earth dam located in Fayette County, Kentucky, built in 1999. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Shillito Park Dam
The primary purpose of Shillito Park Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (local government). It impounds the South Elkhorn Creek near Lexington.
The dam stands 24 feet tall and stretches 550 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 6 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 89 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1999, the structure is 27 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 02/25/2026.
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 |
| Nearest City | Lexington |
| River/Stream | South Elkhorn Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.99004, -84.53588 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Height | 24 ft |
| Dam Length | 550 ft |
| Year Completed | 1999 (27 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 89 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | LEXINGTON FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 02/25/2026 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY01162 |
| Federal ID | KY01162 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |