River Coal Saw Branch No.2 Dam
River Coal Saw Branch No.2 Dam is an earth dam located in Perry County, Kentucky, built in 1972. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About River Coal Saw Branch No.2 Dam
The primary purpose of River Coal Saw Branch No.2 Dam is debris control. The dam is designed to catch sediment, rocks, and debris carried by flowing water — particularly important in areas prone to mudslides or heavy erosion. The dam is owned by Mr. Ed Clemons (private). It impounds the Saw Brancn near Engle.
The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 170 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 15 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1972, 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. Notably, no emergency action plan is currently on file for this high-hazard dam.
At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% 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 | Perry |
| Nearest City | Engle |
| River/Stream | Saw Brancn |
| Coordinates | 37.38408, -83.29592 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Height | 47 ft |
| Dam Length | 170 ft |
| Year Completed | 1972 (54 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 15 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 15 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 11 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Debris Control |
| Owner | Mr. Ed Clemons |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00640 |
| Federal ID | KY00640 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |