The Wolf Creek Dam is a dam on the Cumberland River in the Western part of Russell County, Kentucky. It was constructed to generate hydroelectricity and prevent flooding but is better known for creating Lake Cumberland, which has become a popular tourist attraction and is also the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River.

History

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Construction of Wolf Creek Dam was approved in 1938, but due to the effects of World War II among other factors, construction was not completed until 1950. The last of the power generators were installed in 1952. Several small towns downstream from the dam were adversely affected by its construction, such as nearby Creelsboro. However, since 1950 the dam is credited with preventing several hundred million U.S. dollars in flood damage. After passing through Wolf Creek Dam, the Cumberland River flows south and then west through Tennessee before turning north and back into Kentucky on the west merging with the Ohio River.

In 2005, the dam was discovered to have developed leaks under the earthen part of the dam. The center of the earthen dam is filled with a concrete slab that has already been extended. Minor repairs are scheduled to begin in 2006 with major repairs to begin in 2007. Lake Cumberland has been held at much lower levels since the discovery of the leaks in order to reduce pressue and leakage.

External links

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• Wolf Creek Dam at the Lake Cumberland Online Visitor's Guide

Dams in Kentucky