Olive Hill Reservoir Dam

PERRY BRANCH· Carter, Kentucky· Built 1957· Earth· 47 ft tall
High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Olive Hill Reservoir Dam is classified as high hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1957 and is 69 years old. 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 47 ft (taller than 81.6% in KY)
Dam Length475 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage340 acre-ft
Normal Storage230 acre-ft
Surface Area21 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)
NID IDKY00114

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: July 12, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

CITY OF OLIVE HILL

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Olive Hill Reservoir Dam?

Olive Hill Reservoir 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 Olive Hill Reservoir Dam?

Olive Hill Reservoir Dam is owned by CITY OF OLIVE HILL (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Olive Hill Reservoir Dam built?

Olive Hill Reservoir Dam 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 Olive Hill Reservoir Dam?

Olive Hill Reservoir Dam 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 Olive Hill Reservoir Dam?

Olive Hill Reservoir Dam has a dam height of 47 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 Olive Hill Reservoir Dam last inspected?

Olive Hill Reservoir Dam was last inspected on July 12, 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.