Lake Cumberland - Stearns Ranger District

Lake Cumberland is located in Wayne, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, McCreary, Laurel and Whitney counties in Kentucky on the Cumberland River. The dam site is at river mile 460.9 or about 10 miles southwest of Jamestown, Kentucky. The Wolf Creek project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Arbor Act of 1964. Construction of the project, designed and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began in August 1941.

After a three year delay caused by World War II, the project was completed for full beneficial use in August 1952. The dam was completed for flood control operation in 1950. Three of the six hydroelectric generating units were placed in operation in 1951 and the remaining three in 1952.

Operation of the lake is for the primary purpose of flood control and production of hydroelectric power. The cost of the project was about $80.4 million.The dam, powerhouse, and the lake are operated and supervised by Corps of Engineers' personnel under the direction of the District Engineer at Nashville, Tennessee.The reservoir is 101 miles in length and has 1,255 miles of shoreline, providing total storage capacity of 6,089,000 acre-feet (1 acre-foot =1 acre 1 foot deep or 325,850 gallons).

The upper portion of the reservoirs containing 2,094,000 acre-feet is used to hold floodwaters which would otherwise cause flooding downstream. Such impounded water is utilized to the maximum extent possible for power production and the surplus water is released through the spillway gates after any flood danger has passed.

SAFETY

Everyone can enjoy Lake Cumberland if safety guidelines are followed. Safe practices in swimming, wading, and boating are the responsibility of the individual.

• There are no lifeguards on duty at any time at Corps recreation areas.
• Swimmers must be aware of underwater hazards such as submerged stumps, logs and rocks.
• Sharp dropoffs may exist near the shore. Special care must be taken near the shoreline since depth of water may vary significantly according to specific location and lake level.
• Children should be closely supervised and wear personal flotation devices while they are playing in or near the water.

Title: Lake Cumberland
Last Updated: April 29, 2011