Lake Sympson Dam
Lake Sympson Dam is a rockfill dam located in Nelson County, Kentucky, built in 1963. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lake Sympson Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Sympson Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Commonwealth Of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Buffalo Creek near West Point.
The dam stands 73 feet tall and stretches 1,030 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 151 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,590 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1963, 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. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 10/03/2025.
At 73 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Nelson |
| Nearest City | West Point |
| River/Stream | Buffalo Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.80667, -85.50944 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 73 ft |
| Dam Height | 73 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,030 ft |
| Year Completed | 1963 (63 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,590 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,590 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,030 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 151 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 11,914 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/03/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00045 |
| Federal ID | KY00045 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |