List of dams and reservoirs in Kentucky facts for kids
Dams are huge structures built across rivers to create a reservoir, which is like a large, artificial lake. These lakes store water for many important uses, like providing drinking water, generating electricity, controlling floods, and offering places for boating and fishing.
In Kentucky, there are many dams and reservoirs that play a big role in managing water resources. Some of these dams are very large and are considered "major dams." A major dam is usually at least 50 feet (about 15 meters) tall and can hold a lot of water – enough to fill over 5,000 football fields with one foot of water! Or, it can be any height if it holds an even larger amount of water, like 25,000 football fields worth.
Dams and Lakes in Kentucky
Many of Kentucky's dams and lakes are managed by different groups. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) builds and operates many dams for flood control and navigation. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) manages dams mainly for electricity and river navigation. Other dams are managed by state agencies or local water districts.
Here is a list of some of the important dams and reservoirs in Kentucky:
- Barkley Dam, which creates Lake Barkley, managed by USACE
- Barren River Lake Dam, creating Barren River Lake, managed by USACE
- Buckhorn Lake Dam, creating Buckhorn Lake, managed by USACE
- Cannelton Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Indiana and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Ohio and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- Cave Run Lake Dam, creating Cave Run Lake, managed by USACE
- Portions of the Dale Hollow Reservoir, though its dam is in Tennessee, managed by USACE
- Curtis Crum Reservoir, managed by the Martin County Water District
- Dewey Dam, creating Dewey Lake, managed by USACE
- Dix Dam, creating Herrington Lake, managed by Kentucky Utilities
- Fishtrap Dam, creating Fishtrap Lake, managed by USACE
- Grayson Dam, creating Grayson Lake, managed by USACE
- Green River Lake Dam, creating Green River Lake, managed by USACE
- Greenup Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Ohio and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- John T. Myers Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Indiana and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- Kentucky Dam, creating Kentucky Lake, managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority
- Laurel River Dam, creating Laurel River Lake, managed by USACE
- Markland Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Indiana and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- McAlpine Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Indiana and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- Newburgh Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Indiana and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- Nolin Lake Dam, creating Nolin River Lake, managed by USACE
- Olmsted Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Illinois and Kentucky, managed by USACE (currently under construction)
- Paintsville Dam, creating Paintsville Lake, managed by USACE
- Renfro Dam, creating Lake Linville, managed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky
- Rough River Lake Dam, creating Rough River Lake, managed by USACE
- Smithland Locks and Dam, on the Ohio River, shared between Illinois and Kentucky, managed by USACE
- Taylorsville Lake Dam, creating Taylorsville Lake, managed by USACE
- Wolf Creek Dam, creating Lake Cumberland, managed by USACE
- Wood Creek Lake Dam, creating Wood Creek Lake, managed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky
- Yatesville Dam, creating Yatesville Lake, managed by USACE
