Kentucky River Lock & Dam No. 11

Kentucky River Lock & Dam No. 11 is a dam located in Estill County, Kentucky, built in 1906. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Kentucky River Lock & Dam No. 11

The primary purpose of Kentucky River Lock & Dam No. 11 is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Commonwealth Of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Kentucky.

The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 260 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 579 acres, has a storage capacity of 6,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,219 square miles. Completed in 1906, the structure is over a century 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 06/13/2023.

At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 82% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateKentucky
CountyEstill
River/StreamKentucky
Coordinates37.78436, -84.10328

Physical Characteristics

NID Height35 ft
Dam Height35 ft
Dam Length260 ft
Year Completed1906 (120 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage6,900 acre-ft
Normal Storage6,900 acre-ft
Surface Area579 acres
Drainage Area3,219 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerCommonwealth of Kentucky
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/13/2023
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDKY01203
Federal IDKY01203
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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