Spooky Hollow Upper Lake Dam
Spooky Hollow Upper Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Nelson County, Kentucky, built in 1936. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Spooky Hollow Upper Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Spooky Hollow Upper Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Spooky Hollow Inc (private). It impounds the Lick Creek near Boston.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 370 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 10 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 121 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1936, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 06/11/2025.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Nelson |
| Nearest City | Boston |
| River/Stream | Lick Creek |
| Coordinates | 37.81194, -85.61280 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 370 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 121 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 121 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 10 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | SPOOKY HOLLOW INC |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/11/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY00847 |
| Federal ID | KY00847 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |