| Dam Name | CAULK LAKE DAM |
| Incident Date | 12/16/1973 |
| Country | United States |
| State/Province | Kentucky |
| Dam Height (m) | 20.1 |
| Uncontrolled Release of the Reservoir | Yes |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Detailed Dam Type | |
| Incident Type | Seepage |
| Incident Description | Complete structural failure of embankment. The probable cause is thought to be the development of excessive seepage forces, as soft areas were observed prior to failure. The embankment failed to about one-half its height (about one-half of the hydraulic dam height was lost). Breach dimensions: 30 feet in depth; 120 feet across at the top, with 2:1 side slopes. The dam was rebuilt in 1974 to a much lower height. Damage was considerable (not known if damage occurred downstream), though no monetary value was set. |
| High Level Failure Mode | |
| Lessons Learned | |
| Initiating Event | |
| Initiating Event Description | |
| Structures/Components | |
| Failure Mode Description | |
| Emergency Action Plan Implemented | No. Not known if an EAP did exist for this dam at the time of the incident |
| Consequences | View Consequence Data |
| Geographic Coordinates - Decimal Degrees | 37.4538, -85.3366 |
| Normal Reservoir Storage (m3): | |
| Crest Elevation (m) |