Big Bone Lick State Park Dam

BIG BONE CREEK· Boone, Kentucky· Built 1971· Earth· 70 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 70 ft (taller than 91.3% in KY)
Dam Length490 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage218 acre-ft
Normal Storage185 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDKY00307

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: January 29, 2024
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Bone Lick State Park Dam?

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Big Bone Lick State Park Dam?

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam is owned by COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Big Bone Lick State Park Dam built?

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Big Bone Lick State Park Dam?

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Big Bone Lick State Park Dam?

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam has a dam height of 70 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Big Bone Lick State Park Dam last inspected?

Big Bone Lick State Park Dam was last inspected on January 29, 2024. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.