Otter Lake Dam No 2

OTTER CREEK· Hopkins, Kentucky· Built 1979· Earth· 35 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Otter Lake Dam No 2 is classified as high hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 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 35 ft (taller than 63.7% in KY)
Dam Length490 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage127 acre-ft
Normal Storage90 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDKY00998

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: May 8, 2024
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

Hopkins County Fiscal Court;Robert & Sheila Hulbig

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Otter Lake Dam No 2?

Otter Lake Dam No 2 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 Otter Lake Dam No 2?

Otter Lake Dam No 2 is owned by Hopkins County Fiscal Court;Robert & Sheila Hulbig (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Otter Lake Dam No 2 built?

Otter Lake Dam No 2 was completed in 1979, making it 47 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 Otter Lake Dam No 2?

Otter Lake Dam No 2 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 Otter Lake Dam No 2?

Otter Lake Dam No 2 has a dam height of 35 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 Otter Lake Dam No 2 last inspected?

Otter Lake Dam No 2 was last inspected on May 8, 2024. 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.