Winchester Dam

LOWER HOWARD CREEK· Clark, Kentucky· Built 1985· Roller-Compacted Concrete· 70 ft tall

High Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Winchester Dam is classified as high hazard in Kentucky. It was completed in 1985 and is 41 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	70 ft (taller than 91.3% in KY)
Dam Length	1,100 ft
Dam Type	Roller-Compacted Concrete
Max Storage	2.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage	1.7K acre-ft

Surface Area	90 acres
Drainage Area	5 sq mi
Year Completed	1985 (41 years old)
NID ID	KY01035

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: August 2, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: KY Division of Water

Ownership

WINCHESTER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Kentucky River Dam No 10

Madison, KY

High Hazard 37 ft

Winchester North Effluent Retention Dam

Clark, KY

Low Hazard 66 ft

Jb Allen Dam

Clark, KY

Low Hazard 31 ft

Bruce Maggard Dam

Bourbon, KY

Low Hazard 22 ft

Butch Hart Dam

Bourbon, KY

Significant Hazard 26 ft

Sharp Lake

Fayette, KY

Low Hazard 18 ft

Hidden Hollow Dam

Fayette, KY

Low Hazard 28 ft

Kelly Lake

Fayette, KY

Low Hazard 26 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Winchester Dam?

Winchester 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 Winchester Dam?

Winchester Dam is owned by WINCHESTER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Winchester Dam built?

Winchester Dam was completed in 1985, making it 41 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 Winchester Dam?

Winchester 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 Winchester Dam?

Winchester Dam has a dam height of 70 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 Winchester Dam last inspected?

Winchester Dam was last inspected on August 2, 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.