Fauson Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Carter County, Kentucky, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 37 ft37 ft tall and 255 ft long, taller than 83% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Fauson Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Fauson Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by S & S Ready Mix (private). It impounds the Trib-barrett Creek near Pactolus.
The dam stands 37 feet tall and stretches 255 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 46 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1965, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
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 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 02/17/2026.
At 37 feet, this dam is taller than 83% 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 | Carter |
| Nearest City | Pactolus |
| River/Stream | Trib-barrett Creek |
| Coordinates | 38.34341, -82.98377 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Height | 37 ft |
| Dam Length | 255 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 46 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 46 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 24 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | S & S Ready Mix |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 02/17/2026 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00482 |
| Federal ID | KY00482 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |