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.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 260 ft long, taller than 80% 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 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 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Estill |
| River/Stream | Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37.78436, -84.10328 |
Physical Characteristics
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 260 ft |
| Year Completed | 1906 (120 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 6,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 579 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,219 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Kentucky |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY01203 |
| Federal ID | KY01203 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |