Kentucky River Lock & Dam 14 is a concrete dam located in Lee County, Kentucky, built in 1917. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 32 ft32 ft tall and 300 ft long, taller than 74% 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 concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Kentucky River Lock & Dam 14
The primary purpose of Kentucky River Lock & Dam 14 is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Commonwealth of Kentucky (state). It impounds the Kentucky River near Heidelberg.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,378 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2,657 square miles. Completed in 1917, 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 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 10/18/2023.
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Location
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Lee |
| Nearest City | Heidelberg |
| River/Stream | Kentucky River |
| Coordinates | 37.55246, -83.76960 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1917 (109 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,378 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,378 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,378 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 2,657 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Kentucky |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 10/18/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY01206 |
| Federal ID | KY01206 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |