Fishtrap Dam
Fishtrap Dam is a rockfill dam located in Pike County, Kentucky, built in 1969. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Fishtrap Dam
The primary purpose of Fishtrap Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Usace - Huntington District (federal). It impounds the Levisa Fork Of Big Sandy River near Millard.
The dam stands 195 feet tall and stretches 1,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,131 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 164,360 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 392 square miles. Completed in 1969, 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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/27/2022.
At 195 feet, this dam is taller than 99% of all dams in the United States.
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 | Pike |
| Nearest City | Millard |
| River/Stream | Levisa Fork Of Big Sandy River |
| Coordinates | 37.43167, -82.41667 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 195 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1969 (57 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 164,360 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 164,360 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 37,720 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,131 acres |
| Drainage Area | 392 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 298,200 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Huntington District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 10/27/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY03028 |
| Federal ID | KY03028 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |