Chenoa Lake Dam

CLEAR CREEK· Bell, Kentucky· Built 1953· Earth· 43 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Chenoa Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	43 ft (taller than 77.7% in KY)
Dam Length	980 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage	448 acre-ft

Surface Area	34 acres
Drainage Area	6 sq mi
Year Completed	1953 (73 years old)
NID ID	KY00083

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No

Last Inspection: March 8, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

State Government

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Cannon Creek Dam

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Fern Lake Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Chenoa Lake Dam?

Chenoa Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Chenoa Lake Dam?

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

When was Chenoa Lake Dam built?

Chenoa Lake Dam was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Chenoa Lake Dam?

Chenoa Lake 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 Chenoa Lake Dam?

Chenoa Lake Dam has a dam height of 43 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 Chenoa Lake Dam last inspected?

Chenoa Lake Dam was last inspected on March 8, 2023. 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.