Lake Cumberland is an artificial lake in south-central Kentucky created by the construction of the Wolf Creek Dam in 1950 at a cost of $80.4 million. The primary reasons for construction were a means for flood control and the production of hydroelectric power. Its shoreline measures 1,085 miles (1746 km) and the lake is spread over 50,250 acres (203 km²) at the top of the power pool. The lake has become a major source of tourism and an economic engine for south-central Kentucky.

Facts

Wolf Creek Dam is the 22nd largest dam in the United States. The reservoir ranks 9th in the U.S. in size, with a capacity of 6.1 million acre-feet (7.5 km³) of water. That is enough water to cover the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky with 3 inches (76 mm) of water.

In 1999, approximately 4.75 million visitors added more than $152.4 million to the local economy. Of the 383 lakes controlled or maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Cumberland ranks 4th in the nation for the number of visitor hours.

Wolf Creek Dam has prevented more than $500 million in flood damages since its completion in 1950. There are six turbines which are capable of supplying the needs of an average city (population of 375,000) via 270 megawatts of electricity.

In 1967 a leak was found at the Wolf Creek Dam. Repairs were in the late seventies at a cost of over $96 million.

Over 1,500 houseboats float on Lake Cumberland.

Statistics

• The normal summer pool is around 723 feet (220 m) above mean sea level.
• The tree line is about 725 feet (221 m).
• The maximum pool is 760 feet (232 m) at the top of dam floodgates
• The top of Wolf Creek Dam is 773 feet (236 m).
• Lake is considered at "flood control" level from 723 to 760 feet (220 to 232 m).
• Normal power drawdown is between 723 and 673 feet (220 to 205 m).
• The power generating capacity is considered "dead" below 673 feet (205 m).
• At 760 feet (232 m) elevation, the shoreline of Lake Cumberland is 1,255 miles (2020 m).
• At maximum possible elevation of 760 feet (232 m), Lake Cumberland is considered to be 101 miles (163 km) long, with a total surface area of 65,530 acres (265.2 km²).
• Surface area at 723 feet (220 m) is 50,250 acres (203 km²).
• At minimum power pool of 673 feet (205 m), the surface area is 35,820 acres (145.0 km²).
• Average depth of lake at summer pool of 723 feet (220 m) above sea level: 90 feet (27 m)
• Deepest point in lake: original river channel adjacent to Wolf Creek Dam: 200 feet (60 m)
• Depth of river channel upstream of dam to Wolf Creek: generally 160 feet (50 m)
• Depth of river channel upstream of Wolf Creek to one mile (2 km) upstream of Burnside: generally 120 feet (37 m)

The lowest water level recorded (since construction) was 675.10 feet (205.77 m) above mean sea level on January 27, 1981. The highest water level recorded was 751.70 feet (229.12 m) above mean sea level at 2:00AM, May 13, 1984.

Average lake tempatures

External links

• Lake Cumberland Directory
• Lake Cumberland Live Directory

Lakes of Kentucky