FRANKFORT, Ky. — State officials have launched a new interactive online mapping tool designed to help residents and local leaders prepare for potential flooding from high-hazard dams across the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet announced the dam inundation mapping tool, which identifies areas that could be impacted if dams fail.

The interactive map on the Kentucky Water Maps Portal identifies the approximate inundation zones at each assessed dam that would be affected in a failure scenario. The tool uses satellite imagery to pinpoint specific properties, roads and geographic areas vulnerable to flooding in relation to established FEMA flood zones. The assessment identified nearly 3,000 business structures and almost 14,000 residences within the state's high-hazard dam inundation zones.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the tool is critical for emergency preparedness. "This new tool will help our local officials and heroic first responders better serve and protect Kentucky families and businesses," Beshear said.

The mapping tool represents part of a broader state effort to enhance dam safety awareness. The Kentucky Division of Water manages the state's dam safety program, which oversees more than 950 dams. State officials inspect approximately 300 dams each year for structural deficiencies and maintain a comprehensive inventory of water-impounding structures.

Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman said the mapping tool provides public officials and dam owners with unprecedented access to risk information. "This tool will help local officials and emergency responders make informed decisions related to planning and emergency response," Goodman said. "It gives dam owners and public officials an online tool that they've never had available to them."

The mapping data demonstrates that dam-related risks extend well beyond immediate areas. Dam and levee failure poses some of the most significant potential losses to flooding in Kentucky. For example, the tool shows that if Dix Dam, which impounds Herrington Lake, failed, the inundation could affect Frankfort, located 50 miles downstream along the Kentucky River, including potentially the state capitol complex.

Carey Johnson, assistant director of the Division of Water, emphasized the tool's value for raising public awareness. "Not only will the data give state and local officials in Kentucky up-to-date information about risks associated with high-hazard dams in their area, it will also give the public access to the information," Johnson said.