Kingdom Come State Park Dam

POOR FORK CUMBERLAND RIVER· Harlan, Kentucky· Built 1965· Earth· 28 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Kingdom Come State Park Dam is classified as high hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 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 28 ft (taller than 41.6% in KY)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Normal Storage28 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDKY00578

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

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Kingdom Come State Park Dam?

Kingdom Come State Park 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 Kingdom Come State Park Dam?

Kingdom Come 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 Kingdom Come State Park Dam built?

Kingdom Come State Park Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Kingdom Come State Park Dam?

Kingdom Come 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 Kingdom Come State Park Dam?

Kingdom Come State Park Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Kingdom Come State Park Dam last inspected?

Kingdom Come State Park 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.