Public meeting planned to discuss Panbowl Lake dam safety recommendations

JACKSON, Ky. (AP/WYMT) - Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said a virtual public meeting is planned this month to discuss recommendations to ensure the long-term safety of Panbowl Lake dam.

The virtual meeting will be held Jan. 27, and those who want to attend must preregister.

Officials said Panbowl Lake was created when part of the Kentucky River was impounded during the construction of Kentucky 15.

The roadway serves as a dam, making an earthen embankment at each end of the old river channel.

Officials said the embankment began to slip after heavy rains caused historic flooding last March.

Many feared the dam would breach, but now the Panbowl Lake Dam Project is making sure the more than 60-year-old dam is strong enough to hold back flooding.

“Although Kentucky 15 did not overtop with water there, was still some seepage going through that west embankment,” said project spokesperson Brenna Angel.

Officials said a detailed engineering analysis is nearly complete and the meeting will go over recommended safety steps.

Crews made repairs to a riser standpipe near the east embankment and replaced a gate to stop large debris from entering a culvert.

“We wanted to make sure whatever was studied and investigated here, that it would help inform the overall design of Kentucky 15 as it is widened,” she said.

“There are plans in place certainly for short-term repairs this summer, and then the Kentucky 15 widening project will take a few years,” she added.

You can register here.

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