Kentucky Dam

• • Summary: Kentucky Dam**

Kentucky Dam, located on the Tennessee River between Livingston and Marshall counties in Kentucky, is one of nine dams operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Constructed between 1938 and 1944, it serves dual purposes for navigation and flood control. The dam's reservoir, formed after its completion in 1944, spans over 200 miles.

The construction faced significant challenges, including land acquisition of 320,244 acres, relocation of 2,609 families, 3,390 graves, and 365 miles of roads. Overcoming these obstacles involved building 65 new bridges, rerouting the Illinois Central Railroad across the dam's crest, and constructing a protective dike at Big Sandy to prevent flooding.

Costing $118 million, it was TVA's most expensive project, featuring the first lock designed by TVA itself. Notably, the dam is situated in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, necessitating enhanced earthquake resistance. Discussions about its safety focus on potential flood impacts downstream, particularly on Calvert City's chemical plants and Paducah.

The dam also facilitated transportation with rail and road crossings on its crest, later replaced by new bridges built by 2009. Beyond its structural role, Kentucky Dam significantly reduces Mississippi River flooding by controlling 4% of its water originating from the Tennessee watershed.