Buckhorn Lake (Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buckhorn Lake |
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 Buckhorn Lake
Location in Kentucky
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| Location | Perry / Leslie counties, Kentucky, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°20′22″N 83°28′15″W / 37.33944°N 83.47083°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Kentucky River |
| Primary outflows | Kentucky River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,230 acres (5 km2) |
| Max. depth | 50 ft (15 m) |
Buckhorn Lake, located south of Buckhorn, Kentucky, United States and northwest of Hazard, Kentucky off Kentucky Route 28, is a 1,230-acre (5 km2) reservoir created by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1967 by impounding the Kentucky River.
Buckhorn Lake is an impoundment of the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River. Buckhorn Dam is an earthen dam, 160 feet high and 1,020 feet in length at its crest, with a maximum capacity of 167,900 acre-feet and normal storage of 32,100 acre feet. The origin of the lake's name is uncertain. Some claim the name is taken from the discovery of a buck's horn at a nearby salt lick. Others claim that it is named for a buck killed by Jerry Smith, the area's first settler.
Buckhorn Lake is home to a sizable population of muskie, making it an attractive destination for fishermen.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Buckhorn Lake has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
