Moonbow

Whitley, Kentucky· Built 1957· Earth· 37 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Moonbow is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1957 and is 69 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 37 ft (taller than 67.7% in KY)
Dam Length275 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage60 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)
NID IDKY00739

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: June 6, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Moonbow?

Moonbow 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 Moonbow?

Moonbow is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Moonbow built?

Moonbow was completed in 1957, making it 69 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 Moonbow?

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

How tall is Moonbow?

Moonbow has a dam height of 37 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 Moonbow last inspected?

Moonbow was last inspected on June 6, 2018. 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.