Cowden Lake Dam

TR-WEST FORK SUGAR CREEK· Garrard, Kentucky· Built 1984· Earth· 32 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Cowden Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 55.9% in KY)
Dam Length335 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage110 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDKY01044

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: September 13, 2011
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

HIDDEN VALLEY MAINTENANCE CORPORATION

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cowden Lake Dam?

Cowden Lake 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 Cowden Lake Dam?

Cowden Lake Dam is owned by HIDDEN VALLEY MAINTENANCE CORPORATION (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cowden Lake Dam built?

Cowden Lake Dam was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Cowden Lake Dam?

Cowden 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 Cowden Lake Dam?

Cowden Lake Dam has a dam height of 32 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 Cowden Lake Dam last inspected?

Cowden Lake Dam was last inspected on September 13, 2011. 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.