Left Fork Dam

Leslie, Kentucky· Earth· 295 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Tailings Private

Key Takeaway

Left Fork Dam is classified as high hazard in Kentucky. Its primary use is water supply. 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 295 ft (taller than 96.7% in KY)
Dam Length1,180 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage10.5K acre-ft
NID IDKY83528

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: Yes
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Pine Branch Mining, LLC

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Left Fork Dam?

Left Fork 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 Left Fork Dam?

Left Fork Dam is owned by Pine Branch Mining, LLC (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Left Fork Dam?

Left Fork Dam serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Tailings. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Left Fork Dam?

Left Fork Dam has a dam height of 295 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.

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.