Snapshot, Pulaski County, Kentucky 2019-2020 | Page 35

and the lake covers 65,530 acres (265 km2) at the
maximum power pool elevation. The reservoir
ranks 9th in the U.S. in size, with a capacity of
6,100,000 acre feet (7.5 km3) of water, enough to
cover the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky with
3 inches (76 mm) of water.
The main lake is 101 miles (163 km) long and
over one mile (1.6 km) across at its widest point.
The lake has become a major source of tourism
and an economic engine for south-central
Kentucky.
As of September 2011 Lake Cumberland was
approximately 43 feet (13 m) below its normal
level due to leakage in the earthen part of the
dam, but repairs were completed in 2013 and
officials estimated that lake levels would be back
to normal by 2014-2015.
As of Aug. 30th, 2018, the lake is back to full
summer pool.
Lake Cumberland was impounded from the
Cumberland River by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers’ construction of the Wolf Creek
Dam in 1952. Wolf Creek Dam is the 25th largest
dam in the United States, and cost $15 million to
construct originally, with an additional $65 million
needed almost immediately to fix problems which
soon became apparent.
It is estimated that the dam has prevented
more than $500 million in flood damage since its
construction.
SOMERSET
GOLF
CARTS
NOT JUST FOR THE
GOLF COURSE
ANYMORE !!
Come In Today...
We Have The
Golf Cart For You!
by the
Rental
eek, or
day, w
nger
even lo
WE
FINANCE!
Size
Surface Area:.................................................. 50,250 Acres
Shore Line Length: .............................................723 Miles
Geography
City of Somerset land area (square miles).................. 4
Pulaski County land area............................................. 653
Elevation (feet above sea level) ................................ 974
**Lowest point................................................................ 723
**Highest point.............................................................1680
• New & Used • Parts & Service
• Tune Ups • Winterizing
1304 EAST MT. VERNON STREET • SOMERSET, KENTUCKY 42501
PHONE [phone]
2019-2020 Pulaski County snapshot l a special publication of the Commonwealth Journal
35