Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6

KENTUCKY RIVER· Mercer, Kentucky· Built 1891· Timber Crib· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Navigation State Government

Key Takeaway

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1891 and is 135 years old. Its primary use is navigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 61.7% in KY)
Dam Length465 ft
Dam TypeTimber Crib
Max Storage16.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage12.0K acre-ft
Drainage Area5,102 sq mi
Year Completed1891 (135 years old)
NID IDKY01199

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 6?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 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 6?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 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 6 built?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 was completed in 1891, making it 135 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 6?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 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 6?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 has a dam height of 34 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 6 last inspected?

Kentucky River Lock & Dam 6 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.