Shaw Creek Detention Basin
Shaw Creek Detention Basin is an earth dam located in Hardin County, Kentucky, built in 2009. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Shaw Creek Detention Basin
The primary purpose of Shaw Creek Detention Basin 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 City Of Elizabethtown (local government). It impounds the Shaw Creek near Elizabethtown.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 172 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 2009, the structure is relatively new.
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 06/13/2025.
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 | Hardin |
| Nearest City | Elizabethtown |
| River/Stream | Shaw Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.72057, -85.90020 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 2009 (17 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 172 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 172 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 3 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | CITY OF ELIZABETHTOWN |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/13/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY01223 |
| Federal ID | KY01223 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |