Abner Fork Dam is an earth dam located in Harlan County, Kentucky. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 700 ft700 ft tall and 1,500 ft long, taller than 99% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against the Washington Monument, 555 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Abner Fork Dam
The primary purpose of Abner Fork Dam 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 Harlan Cumberland Coal Company (private).
The dam stands 700 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, and has a maximum storage capacity of 5,900 acre-feet.
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.
At 700 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 | Harlan |
| Nearest City | Highsplint |
| Coordinates | 36.88278, -83.11194 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 700 ft |
| Dam Height | 700 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,900 acre-ft |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Harlan Cumberland Coal Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | KY83509 |
| Federal ID | KY83509 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |