Amanda Jo Detention Dam

Amanda Jo Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Hardin County, Kentucky, built in 2015. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Amanda Jo Detention Dam

The primary purpose of Amanda Jo Detention 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 City Of Elizabethtown (local government).

The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 56 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 2015, 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.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateKentucky
CountyHardin
Nearest CityElizabethtown
Coordinates37.72267, -85.89132

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height22 ft
Dam Height22 ft
Dam Length700 ft
Year Completed2015 (11 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage56 acre-ft
Max Storage56 acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerCITY OF ELIZABETHTOWN
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/13/2025
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDKY01234
Federal IDKY01234
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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