Barren River Lake Hits Record High
By Allyson Dix, Managing Editor, Barren County Progress
Heavy rainfall over the weekend caused Barren River Lake to peak at a record-breaking level, exceeding the record set in 1989. This aerial photo of the lake was taken on Monday, April 7, by Justin Tidwell after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the lake at 583.6 feet. Photo courtesy | Justin Tidwell, Flywell Aviation
Barren River Lake has set a record-high level following the widespread flooding event last weekend.
As of 6:00 a.m. on April 7, the lake was at 583.6 feet MSL (mean sea level) and utilizing 81-percent of flood storage, and still rising, according to a news release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The last record set was 36 years ago in March 1989 when levels reached 583 feet MSL.
Officials forecast that Barren River Lake could reach between 586-587 feet MSL.
“For context, normal Summer Pool at Barren River Lake is 552 MSL and the Spillway Crest is 590 MSL,” the news release states.
As of now, officials say they do not anticipate spillway flow, and the dam is operating as intended with no dam safety concerns. According to the USACE, the top of the damn is at 618 feet MSL.
The lake level is measured every 24 hours and is posted both online and on their Facebook page, Barren River Lake – US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, at https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleUSACE.
To view current lake levels and flood storages, visit https://www.lrl-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/lkreport.html.
Barren River Lake is 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.
USACE says since becoming operation in 1964, Barren River Lake has provided more than $237 million in flood damage reduction benefits to communities downstream.
The following historical crests are noted by height level: March 8, 1989 (583’); May 24, 1983 (582’); April 18, 1994 (580.80’); March 25, 2020 (580.77’); and February 2, 2019 (580.21’).
