Ky River Lock & Dam 5

Ky River Lock & Dam 5 is a timber crib dam located in Woodford County, Kentucky, built in 1844. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Ky River Lock & Dam 5

The primary purpose of Ky River Lock & Dam 5 is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Commonwealth Of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Kentucky River near Clifton.

The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 594 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 17,390 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5,225 square miles. Completed in 1844, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. 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 08/16/2021.

At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.

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Low HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateKentucky
CountyWoodford
Nearest CityClifton
River/StreamKentucky River
Coordinates38.05214, -84.83035

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeTimber Crib
NID Height36 ft
Dam Height36 ft
Dam Length594 ft
Year Completed1844 (182 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage17,390 acre-ft
Max Storage17,390 acre-ft
Normal Storage7,500 acre-ft
Drainage Area5,225 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCOMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationLow
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection08/16/2021
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDKY01198
Federal IDKY01198
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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