Map of All 1,074 Kentucky Dams
Kentucky has 1,074 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 276 are classified as high hazard (26% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 104 Kentucky dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Kentucky dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Kentucky to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Kentucky Dams by the Numbers
- 1,074 total dams in Kentucky
- 276 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 148 significant hazard
- 650 low hazard
- 279 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (253 poor, 26 unsatisfactory)
- 104 Kentucky dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Kentucky
The tallest dam in Kentucky is Abner Fork Dam at 700 feet, completed in unknown year. The 10 tallest Kentucky dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abner Fork Dam | 700 ft | – | Water Supply | Not Available | Harlan |
| Sidney Slurry Impoundment | 665 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Pike |
| Long Fork Slurry Impoundment | 665 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Pike |
| Half Mile Dam | 545 ft | – | Water Supply | Not Available | Leslie |
| Bloss Branch Slurry Dam | 535 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Clay |
| Oldhouse Branch Slurry Impoundment | 481 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Letcher |
| Adams Fork Slurry Dam | 480 ft | – | Water Supply | Not Available | Leslie |
| Sukey Branch Slurry Impoundment | 478 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Pike |
| Rob Fork Slurry Impoundment | 450 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Pike |
| Cow Branch Slurry Impoundment | 442 ft | – | Tailings | Not Available | Pike |
High-Hazard Kentucky Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 104 dams in Kentucky. Notable examples:
- Cannon Creek Dam (125 ft, Bell County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Cranks Creek Lake Dam (120 ft, Harlan County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Willisburg Lake Dam (77 ft, Washington County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
- Taylor Fork Lake Dam (76 ft, Madison County) — Recreation, Poor condition
- Renfro Dam (72 ft, Rockcastle County) — Water Supply, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in Kentucky
Dam safety in Kentucky is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Kentucky?
Kentucky has 1,074 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 276 high hazard, 148 significant hazard, and 650 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Kentucky?
The tallest dam in Kentucky is Abner Fork Dam at 700 feet, completed in unknown year. It is primarily a water supply structure.
How many Kentucky dams are in poor condition?
279 Kentucky dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 104 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
