Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam

MIDDLE FORK RED RIVER· Powell, Kentucky· Built 1930· Gravity· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 0.9% in KY)
Dam Length100 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area16 sq mi
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
NID IDKY00069

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: Yes
Last Inspection: August 23, 2012
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 Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam?

Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam 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 Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam?

Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam is owned by COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam built?

Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam?

Natural Bridge State Park Lake 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 Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam?

Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 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 Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam last inspected?

Natural Bridge State Park Lake Dam was last inspected on August 23, 2012. 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.