Grayson Dam
Grayson Dam is a rockfill dam located in Carter County, Kentucky, built in 1968. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Grayson Dam
The primary purpose of Grayson 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 Little Sandy River near Grayson.
The dam stands 120 feet tall and stretches 1,460 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,510 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 118,990 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 196 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 10/21/2022.
At 120 feet, this dam is taller than 98% 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 | Carter |
| Nearest City | Grayson |
| River/Stream | Little Sandy River |
| Coordinates | 38.25347, -82.98453 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 120 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,460 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 118,990 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 118,990 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 29,390 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,510 acres |
| Drainage Area | 196 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 74,600 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Huntington District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 10/21/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY03030 |
| Federal ID | KY03030 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |