Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13

KENTUCKY RIVER· Lee, Kentucky· Built 1915· Concrete· 43 ft tall
Low Hazard Navigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 years old. Its primary use is navigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 43 ft (taller than 77.7% in KY)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage3.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.1K acre-ft
Drainage Area2,784 sq mi
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDKY01205

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: August 16, 2021
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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 is owned by COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 built?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 serves the following purposes: Navigation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 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 Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 last inspected?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 13 was last inspected on August 16, 2021. 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.