Kentucky River Lock And Dam 3
Kentucky River Lock And Dam 3 is a timber crib dam located in Owen County, Kentucky, built in 1844. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Kentucky River Lock And Dam 3
The primary purpose of Kentucky River Lock And Dam 3 is navigation. The dam maintains water levels sufficient for boat and barge traffic, supporting commercial or recreational navigation on the waterway. The dam is owned by Commonwealth Of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Kentucky near Gest.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 503 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,220 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 19,580 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5,983 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 significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in 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 09/06/2024.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Owen |
| Nearest City | Gest |
| River/Stream | Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 38.41659, -84.88009 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Timber Crib |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Length | 503 ft |
| Year Completed | 1844 (182 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 19,580 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 19,580 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 9,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,220 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5,983 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 7,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Kentucky |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 09/06/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY03015 |
| Federal ID | KY03015 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |