Louisville, Ky. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District continues to monitor the dams at Buckhorn Lake, Buckhorn, Kentucky, and Carr Creek Lake, Sassafras, Kentucky, following severe flooding in eastern Kentucky. The Buckhorn and Carr Creek Dams on the Middle Fork and the North Fork, respectively, of the Kentucky River are currently storing water and operating as intended.
Buckhorn Lake is currently at 836.6 feet MSL or 92 percent full as of today, Feb. 19. Carr Creek Lake is currently at 1049.3 feet or 81 percent full.
Buckhorn Lake is opening slightly today in preparation of going to our maximum allowable release early afternoon tomorrow, Feb. 20. The pool should start dropping by Friday. By 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 20, Buckhorn Dam will be releasing 3,500 cubic feet per second.
Carr Creek Lake will be opening up today and the pool will be dropping by tomorrow, Feb. 20. As of 3:00 p.m., Feb. 19, Carr Creek dam will be releasing stored flood waters today at a rate of 800 cubic feet per second in accordance with the water control plan. Downstream conditions will be monitored, and these releases will be adjusted if necessary.
These reservoirs are part of a broader system managed by USACE, designed to temporarily store excess water from heavy rainfall until river and stream levels recede, preventing further downstream flooding.
To view current lake levels, visit: http://www.lrl-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/lkreport.html.
USACE is committed to keeping the public informed as conditions change. For the latest updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/BuckhornLakeUSACE or https://www.facebook.com/CarrCreekUSACE
Release no. 25-016