Lower Berea Reservoir Dam
Lower Berea Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Madison County, Kentucky, built in 1950. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Lower Berea Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Lower Berea Reservoir 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 Berea Municipal Utilities (local government). It impounds the Silver Creek near Berea.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 470 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 19 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 385 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1950, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 02/13/2025.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 90% of dams nationwide.
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 | Madison |
| Nearest City | Berea |
| River/Stream | Silver Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.54327, -84.24259 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 470 ft |
| Year Completed | 1950 (76 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 385 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 385 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 266 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 19 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Berea Municipal Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 02/13/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00072 |
| Federal ID | KY00072 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |