Rough River Lake Dam Safety Modification Project
14957 Falls of Rough Road
Falls of Rough, KY 40119-6318
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General Information
The Dam Safety Modification Project is a result of a report from July 2012, which highlighted unacceptable risk due to the dam’s foundation being constructed on karst geology. The report recommended major rehabilitation to ensure the structure’s integrity and to lower the project’s risk. Phase I, which relocated the crest road and completed Exploratory Drilling and Grouting across the centerline of the dam, was finished in May 2017. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, awarded a base contract for $320 million to Thalle-Bauer LLC., out of Hillsborough, North Carolina, Dec. 18, 2025, for Phase 2 of the Rough River Dam Safety Modification project. This is a base and option contract with the total contract value expected to be around $655M at contract completion. Phase 2 will include construction of a new outlet works and a full-depth cutoff wall across the dam, which will provide permanent risk reduction to communities downstream.
USACE Louisville District has implemented Interim Risk Reduction Measures to ensure life safety and to further protect the integrity of Rough River Dam. Public safety is the main priority of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We value our partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies and all of those individuals throughout the Rough River community. We will continue to work with them to lessen the impact of interim risk reduction measures where possible.
Phase 1 Construction
The Dam Safety Modification project is a result of a report from July 2012, which highlighted unacceptable risk due to the dam’s foundation being constructed on karst geology. The report recommended major rehabilitation to ensure the structure’s integrity and to lower the project’s risk. Phase I, which relocated the crest road and completed Exploratory Drilling and Grouting across the centerline of the dam, was finished in May 2017.
Phase 2 Construction
Since the completion of Phase 1 drilling and grouting, instrumentation and visual observations have shown that the foundation conditions are continuing to deteriorate causing increasing concern. Phase 2 includes construction of a new outlet works and a full-depth cutoff wall across the dam. Phase 1 project did initially reduce risk, however, the Phase II project, will provide the permanent risk reduction.
Phase 2 of this project involves creating a new outlet works on the left abutment which will consist of a new control tower and stilling basin with a new tunnel connecting the two features. Once completed and operational, the existing tower will be abandoned, and the cutoff wall will be constructed across the crest of the dam varying in depth from 75 to 180 feet. The final portion of work will relocate Kentucky State Highway 79 back to the top of the dam.
A groundbreaking event for the construction is expected to take place in the summer of 2026. Phase 2 construction is anticipated to take approximately six to eight years.
Interim Risk Reduction Measures (IRRM)
USACE Louisville District has implemented Interim Risk Reduction Measures (IRRM) in 2023 to ensure life safety and to further protect the integrity of Rough River Dam in Falls of Rough, Kentucky.
The IRRM implementation is based on a recommendation from a risk assessment that evaluated the existing condition of the dam and its foundation to assess the structure’s ability to operate as designed in the event of a flood. The evaluation identified several IRRM until Phase II of the Dam Safety Modification Project is complete. Phase II of the project will consist of a new outlet works and cutoff wall.
The risk associated with Rough River Dam does not meet current tolerable levels in its current condition; therefore, action must be taken to reduce risk to human life and property.
After thorough analysis, USACE technical experts recommend reducing water levels in the reservoir to relieve pressure on the dam. The Louisville District will target a summer pool elevation (water level) at Rough River Lake of 490, which will be 5 feet below normal summer pool, until long-term repairs to the dam can be completed. Additionally, the lake will operate on a delayed fill schedule. Typically, the reservoir begins holding back water for the recreation season on March 15. The operation of the dam will be revised to begin the rise to the new summer pool target approximately two weeks later beginning April 1.
These interim risk reduction measures allow USACE to reduce risk to the public and help to ensure that the dam is safe until long-term repairs to the dam can be completed.
USACE will continue to monitor the dam and implemented risk reduction measures will be re-evaluated annually. Adjustments may be made, as required, to ensure the safety of the Rough River community.
GIS Viewer - Summer Pool Elevation
Summer Pool Elevation Viewer
Disclaimer: The Rough River Lake Summer Pool Elevation Viewer was designed for informational purposes only and does not guarantee the right to move or alter a dock. Private dock permit holders should coordinate with the Rough River Lake Project Office to determine if a dock extension or relocation is possible. The viewer does not accurately reflect the water depth at an elevation of 490, which is a critical factor in determining whether a dock can be pushed out or relocated.
The Rough River Lake Summer Pool Elevation Viewer map displays the current Rough River Lake Summer Pool (495 feet) represented by a light purple line, compared to the proposed summer pool (490 feet) represented by the dashed black line. Users may enter an address or place into the search bar to zoom directly to a desired location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What all will be included in the construction during Phase II?
Phase 2 will first involve creating a new outlet works on the left abutment which will consist of a new control tower and stilling basin with a new tunnel connecting the two features. Once completed and operational, the existing tower will be abandoned, and the cutoff wall will be constructed across the crest of the dam varying in depth from 75 to 180 deep. The final portion of work will be to relocate the state highway back to the top of the dam.
Q: How long will construction take for Phase II?
It is anticipated that this project will take 6-8 years as dam safety rehabilitation projects are complex and lengthy endeavors due to a combination of intricate planning, regulatory hurdles, physical challenges, and construction complexities.
Q: Is the dam being monitored for changes?
Yes, in addition to routine monitoring as part of the dam safety program, which includes in-depth periodic inspections, there are over 100 piezometers on the dam that provide real-time readings every 15 minutes. That information is immediately relayed to our dam safety experts for review and analysis to ensure the dam is operating as intended.
Q: How will construction impact the local community?
Impacts are expected to be minimal. There may be a temporary increase in vehicle traffic as construction crews travel to and from the site, and we will be coordinating closely with any nearby homeowners who may be affected by blasting activities.
Q: What is being done to ensure safety to the community during the construction?
Routine monitoring remains a critical part of the dam safety program, even during construction. This includes in-depth periodic inspections as well as continuous instrumentation monitoring. The dam is equipped with more than 90 piezometers that collect real-time data every 15 minutes. That information is immediately transmitted to our dam safety experts for review and analysis to ensure the dam continues operating as intended and the surrounding community remains safe.
Q: How long would a potential pool restriction last?
The pool restriction will extend through completion of the Rough River Dam Safety Modification Project. The construction period is expected to take approximately 6 – 8 years after award of Phase 2.
Q: When construction starts will a pool restriction still be necessary?
Yes, based on recommendations from the Risk Assessment and consensus from technical experts within USACE, it is necessary to implement interim risk reduction measures, such as the pool restriction, immediately to help lower the project’s risk. These interim risk reduction measures help to reduce risk while the long-term repairs can be completed.
Q: How will a delayed fill schedule work?
Typically, the reservoir begins holding back water for the recreation season on March 15. The operation of the dam will be revised to begin the rise to the new summer pool target approximately two weeks later (April 1). This allows for more time to store flood events that occur in late March or early April while starting near winter pool elevation. This reduces the elevation of water on the dam for those possible flood events which reduces the load on the structure.
Q: Does USACE Louisville District have the authority to implement a pool restriction?
Yes, the authority to implement a pool restriction at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir resides with the Louisville District Commander. All levels of USACE have agreed with the implementation of a pool restriction as an Interim Risk Reduction Measure at Rough River Lake. Risk assessment findings were presented to the USACE dam senior oversight group (DSOG). The DSOG plays an important role in assessing risk; they are responsible for reviewing all risk assessments and making recommendations to USACE leadership on the risk characterization and risk management actions for each dam. Each district is then responsible for implementing IRRM.
Q: Will recreation be impacted by the interim risk reduction measures/construction?
We value our partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies and all of those individuals throughout the Rough River community. We will continue to work with them to lessen the impact of interim risk reduction measures and construction where possible. Based on the elevation of 490, Rough River Lake will still be able to provide multiple recreation benefits to visitors.
Q: Will there be any beaches open?
Laurel Branch Beach will remain open to the public. Axtel Beach will be usable, but it is only available for campers.
Q: What efforts will be taken to protect wildlife in the water and in the local area during construction?
USACE has coordinated with the State Department of Natural Resources for all required permits necessary. The project has been reviewed, and discussion have been held with the state. Restriction have been incorporated into the contract to meet restrictions requested by the state. Minimum to no impact is expected on protected wildlife.
Q: Why doesn’t USACE do the work themselves instead of contracting it out?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is contracting out the construction work for the Rough River Dam Safety Modification Project for several reasons.
• USACE contracts out all construction work because it's a cost-effective way to leverage specialized expertise and resources for large infrastructure projects.
• With this project, very specialized equipment is needed to complete the work, equipment that is designed for this type of work on dams specifically.
• USACE members have performed all the design work and has continued to monitor and evaluate dam performance. USACE has also contracted with specialized consultants for some specialty work like tunneling and blasting.
Project Resources
*If you are looking for a document that you cannot locate on this page, please email lrl-pao@usace.army.mil.
Links of Interest
USACE HQ Dam Safety Program
National Inventory of Dams (NID)
Explore our Nations Dams
3-day Forecast (Rough labeled as RRLK2)