Cave Run Dam
Cave Run Dam is a rockfill dam located in Bath County, Kentucky, built in 1965. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Cave Run Dam
The primary purpose of Cave Run 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 - Louisville District (federal). It impounds the Licking River near Farmers.
The dam stands 148 feet tall and stretches 2,700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8,270 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 614,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 826 square miles. Completed in 1965, 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 06/30/2022.
At 148 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 | Bath |
| Nearest City | Farmers |
| River/Stream | Licking River |
| Coordinates | 38.11761, -83.53268 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Rockfill |
| NID Height | 148 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1965 (61 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 614,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 614,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 222,581 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8,270 acres |
| Drainage Area | 826 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 158,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | USACE - Louisville District |
| Owner Type | Federal |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Available |
| Last Inspection | 06/30/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY03055 |
| Federal ID | KY03055 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |