Friends of Lake Cumberland –
SUCCESSFUL LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT THE LAKE
According to preliminary numbers released by the US Army Corps of Engineers, visitation dropped only slightly Labor Day Weekend as compared to 2006.
205,000 people visited the lake in 2007. 218,000 visited in 2006 during Labor Day Weekend. That is only a 5.9% drop – not bad considering all of the negative attention the lake has received since January.
KY DEPT. OF TOURISM HOSTS LAKE CUMBERLAND MEDIA DAY
On Labor Day, the Kentucky Department of Tourism hosted several media outlets for an end of summer tour and assessment of Lake Cumberland. Commerce Cabinet Secretary George Ward and Hilda Legg from the Governor’s Office at Lake Cumberland were joined by several others as they lead this media trip out of Conley Bottom Resort near Monticello, KY. Media stories were read, seen or heard on the following media outlets: WKYT-TV (Lexington), WYMT-TV (Hazard), WBKO-TV (Bowling Green), WVLT-TV (Knoxville). WEKU-FM, and possibly other NPR affiliates that may pick up the story, The (Somerset) Commonwealth Journal and The Lexington Herald Leader – and other media outlets that picked up the rewritten Associated Press (AP) version of the story. WHAS-AM radio (Louisville) was unable to attend the tour but did an interview on the subject as well. The trip also lead to an interview on WDKY-TV (Lexington) the morning after the tour. See a sampling of the stories below in the news articles section.
Governor Fletcher, Congressman Rogers Present Funding for Promotion of Lake Cumberland - Designed to appeal to past visitors
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher and Congressman Hal Rogers today presented the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association (SEKTDA) with a ceremonial check for $400,000 for an outreach campaign to entice tourists, boat owners and campers to Lake Cumberland.
The message: Even while lowered to allow repairs to Wolf Creek Dam, Kentucky’s third-largest lake has plenty of water – 37,000 surface acres – for boating, recreation and fishing.
“Lake Cumberland is a vital part of the economy for a number of counties in this region. We are being proactive in making everyone aware that the lake is open for business,” said Governor Fletcher. “We want tourists to know there is plenty of water for all types of recreation, and Lake Cumberland is as beautiful and accessible as ever.”
The funding will allow SEKTDA to create a database of visitors who have enjoyed Lake Cumberland in the past. Contact information for the database will be gathered from local businesses and from organizations in surrounding states, such as boat and camper dealers. E-mail, fax and call contacts will be made over the winter months as people start going to boat shows and planning vacations for 2008. SEKTDA will also continue its television, radio and newspaper promotion campaign.
SEKTDA will work closely with marina owners and operators, businesses dependent on the lake and other organizations to develop outreach opportunities.
“This funding will ensure we reach the loyal customers of Lake Cumberland with an important message: ‘Welcome back,’” said Congressman Rogers. “I am proud of all the people at our marinas, hotels and campgrounds who are working hard to continue our tradition of making Lake Cumberland a top destination.”
The Corps announced in January that it would lower Lake Cumberland to repair erosion of its impoundment, Wolf Creek Dam. The lake level is being held at 43 feet below summer pool. The Corps recently announced it did not intend to lower the lake level further.
The funding to SEKTDA, which is from the Governor’s Office for Local Development, is the latest of Governor Fletcher’s many actions to help residents and business owners in the Lake Cumberland region adapt to the emergency. Major initiatives included a targeted advertising campaign in northern states, $25 million in emergency funding to enable water utilities to move or extend intakes and extensions of more than 40 boat ramps.
Corps’ WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT – 8/22/07
NEWS ARTICLES
http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/166646.html
Rumors drying up tourism /Yes, there's water in Lake Cumberland
http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/local_story_247162336.html
Labor Day Lake Lowdown
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/9551707.html#
Despite Dam Problems, Lake Has Enough Water
http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=7024022
Lake Cumberland businesses urge tourists to return
http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/9566167.html
Lake Cumberland Businesses Urge Tourists To Return
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=7024789
Lakefront Businesses Urge Tourists To Return
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/9537772.html#
Lake Gets additional Marketing Help
http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/local_story_243174138.html
'We have water in the lake' ... and SEKTDA has $400,000 to make sure folks know it
WEB SITES OF INTEREST
Web cams
http://66.228.121.252/~stgr/
LIVE WEBCAM ON LAKE CUMBERLAND FROM GRIDER HILL DOCK
www.golakecumberland.com
Near the Waitsboro Recreation Area
LIVE WEBCAM ON LAKE CUMBERLAND FROM KEY REALTORS
www.conleybottom.com
LIVE WEBCAM ON LAKE CUMBERLAND FROM CONLEY BOTTOM
http://duo-county.com/cam_lake01.html
Jamestown Resort Marina, from the motel island looking ESE out to the main lake.
LIVE WEBCAM ON LAKE CUMBERLAND