Cannelton Locks And Dam
Cannelton Locks And Dam is a concrete dam located in Hancock County, Kentucky, built in 1974. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Cannelton Locks And Dam
The primary purpose of Cannelton Locks And Dam 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 Usace - Louisville District (federal). It impounds the Ohio River near Cannelton Ind.
The dam stands 62 feet tall and stretches 2,280 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 22,760 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 954,400 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 97,000 square miles. Completed in 1974, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/26/2025.
At 62 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Hancock |
| Nearest City | Cannelton Ind |
| River/Stream | Ohio River |
| Coordinates | 37.89706, -86.70317 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 62 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,280 ft |
| Year Completed | 1974 (52 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 954,400 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 954,400 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 633,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 22,760 acres |
| Drainage Area | 97,000 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 127,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | None |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Navigation |
| Owner | USACE - Louisville District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/26/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY03058 |
| Federal ID | KY03058 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |