tourism Lake Cumberland
Demographics
Lake Cumberland is a reservoir in Clinton , Laurel , McCreary , Pulaski , Russell , and Wayne counties in Kentucky .[ 1 ] The primary reasons for its construction were a means for flood control and the production of hydroelectric power . Its shoreline measures 1,255 miles ( 2,020 km ) 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 April 18 , 2015 , the lake is back to full summer pool .
History Lake Cumberland was impounded from the Cumberland River by the United States Army Corps of Engineers ’ construction of the Wolf Creek Dam in 1952 .[ 1 ] 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 .
Dam repairs In 1967 a leak was found at the Wolf Creek Dam . Repairs were made in the late 1970s at a cost of over $ 96 million .
On January 22 , 2007 , the United States Army Corps of Engineers began lowering the water level in Lake Cumberland , fearing a possible breach in Wolf Creek Dam . Water seepage had eroded the limestone under the dam , creating the potential for a breach and subsequent flood that would cause damages into the billions of dollars in cities downstream . By September 2011 Lake Cumberland was approximately 43 feet ( 13 m ) below its normal level . The drop in water level had a negative impact on the area ’ s tourism industry as marinas and municipalities scrambled to adjust their facilities for the lower water level . [ 3 ] The caverns beneath the structure complicated plans for repairs , but a $ 594 million project to construct a new wall inside the dam was completed by early 2013 and tourism officials were anticipating higher visitation numbers as the lake level was raised to 705 feet .
Since spring of 2014 Lake Cumberland water levels returned to normal operation and water levels .[ 4 ]
Uses Power generation Wolf Creek Dam ’ s six turbines are capable of supplying the needs of an average city ( population of 375,000 ) via 270 megawatts of electricity . The power generating capacity is considered “ dead ” when the lake ’ s water level is below 673 feet ( 205 m ).
Recreation In 1999 , approximately 4.75 million
John
Alexander Pulaski County Government Executive Assistant
I know this isn ’ t the Christmas Season , but when I think of Pulaski County and community , I think of our local holiday traditions . Ever since 2006 , I ’ ve had a unique opportunity to see Christmas here in Pulaski County through the eyes of Santa Claus . I ’ ve watched kids grow up and families come and go and in every year I ’ ve been able to be Santa , I see how their traditions at Christmas mold this community . Whether it ’ s the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade or the now returned lights and spectacle of Christmas Island in Burnside , Christmas in Pulaski County is special .
And it ’ s special to me because 11 months out of the year , I ’ m just me . I ’ m nobody special . But one month out of the year , I get to be larger than life . I get to bring joy to the young and the young at heart . For someone that continues to struggle with my place in this community , it makes me feel wanted and needed when I ’ m Santa Claus . That ’ s what is so special to me about Pulaski County .
2023-2024 Pulaski Community snapshot l a special publication of the Commonwealth Journal 19