Shelby Lake Dam
Shelby Lake Dam is a gravity dam located in Shelby County, Kentucky, built in 1955. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Shelby Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Shelby Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Shelbyville (local government). It impounds the Clear Creek near Shelbyville.
The dam stands 20 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 57 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,680 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 21 square miles. Completed in 1955, 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 12/06/2023.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Shelby |
| Nearest City | Shelbyville |
| River/Stream | Clear Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.23000, -85.22139 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Height | 20 ft |
| Dam Length | 350 ft |
| Year Completed | 1955 (71 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,680 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,680 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 400 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 57 acres |
| Drainage Area | 21 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | CITY OF SHELBYVILLE |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 12/06/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00087 |
| Federal ID | KY00087 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |