West Fork Lake (better known locally as Winton Woods Lake) was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1946. The Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed, built, and operates the project to reduce flood damages downstream from the dam. The dam is 6.5 miles above the confluence with Mill Creek.
Should heavy rains occur, surface water runoff is stored in the lake until the swollen streams and rivers below the dam have receded and can handle the release of the stored water without damage to lives or property.
The Hamilton County Park District website, including all the recreation opportunities and facilities for the lake, is at:
http://www.greatparks.org/parks/winton-woods.html