Thompson Lake

ELKHORN· Franklin, Kentucky· Built 1988· Earth· 26 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Thompson Lake is classified as low hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1988 and is 38 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 33.2% in KY)
Dam Length875 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage201 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area13 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1988 (38 years old)
NID IDKY01055

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: January 25, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

CHARLES SMITH

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thompson Lake?

Thompson Lake 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 Thompson Lake?

Thompson Lake is owned by CHARLES SMITH (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thompson Lake built?

Thompson Lake was completed in 1988, making it 38 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 Thompson Lake?

Thompson Lake 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 Thompson Lake?

Thompson Lake has a dam height of 26 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 Thompson Lake last inspected?

Thompson Lake was last inspected on January 25, 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.