Friends of Lake Cumberland –

 

A photo essay/column was submitted to all 147 Kentucky newspapers today showing newspaper editors and their readers what the reduced lake level actually looks like – six photos full of water. It was in response to the Sunday Herald Leader story which contained nine photos, more then two pages worth, that focused on the 25 % of the lake that is no longer there while not showing much of the 75% of the lake that IS still there.  We do not know if or when any papers will pick it up, but we will keep you updated.

 

 

 

NEW WEB PAGE

The Kentucky Department of Tourism is featuring Lake Cumberland on their “spotlight” page.

 

LIVE WEBCAMS OF LAKE CUMBERLAND –

http://lakecumberland.com/duocamz.html

Jamestown Resort Marina, from the motel island looking ESE out to the main lake.

 

http://lakecumberland.com/sdcamz.html

 

RAMP CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO THE CORPS:

Usable
The following are Corps operated and Commercial Marina boat ramps that we believe will be usable at elevation 680 (* these ramps will be monitored closely; conditions are subject to change as the elevation lowers):

	General Burnside Island State Park
	Cave Creek (approx. 15' of concrete left, then mud)
	Conley Bottom Marina (campground ramp, boats less 20'approx.)
	Fall Creek (small boats less 20'approx.)
	Halcomb's Landing (small boats less 20'approx.)
	Jamestown Marina
	Lee's Ford Marina (launch time may be limited due to on-going construction)
	Waitsboro (small boats less 20'approx.)

 

LAKE CUMBERLAND PHOTOS WANTED

We are looking for photos of Lake Cumberland at the 680’ level. We will use the photos to show people the lake has plenty of water. We only want photos that have been taken since the lake settled at 680’ on 2/12 or after.

 

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

http://lakecumberland.com/

 

Army Corps of Engineers Lake Cumberland/Wolf Creek Dam web page. http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/issues/WOLcommo/

 

If you want to monitor the level here is the website: http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/hh/resplots/wol_a.html

 

The Corps’ Manager's office home page:

http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/pao/lakeinfo/WOL.htm

 

On the Net: Corps Nashville District:

 

DEVELOPMENTS

 

Public Hearings SCHEDULE  

 

	8 March, - Russell Springs, Ky., Russell County High School, gym, 2166 S Hwy 127, 6:30-8 p.m., maps available at 3 p.m.
	15 March,-Burkesville, Ky., Cumberland County High School, gym, 912 North Main, 6:30-8 p.m., maps available at 5:00 p.m. (School has open house until 6:00 p.m.)
	22 March,-Celina, TN., Clay County High School, gym, 1102 Clay County Highway, 6:30-8 p.m.,  maps available at 4:30(NOTE: Gym holds 800 people unless we provide additional chairs on the gym floor)
	27 March,-Gainesboro, TN., Jackson County High School High School Gym, 190 Blue Devil Lane, 6:30-8p.m., maps available at 3 p.m.
	2 April,-Carthage, TN., Smith County High School, Auditorium, 312 Fite Avenue, 6:30-8p.m., maps available at 3:30 p.m.
	12-April, - Hartsville, TN., Trousdale County High School, gym, off HWY 25 on McMurray Blvd, 6:30-8p.m., maps available at 3:30 p.m.
	19-April, - Mt. Juliet, TN., Mt. Juliet High School, gym,  3565 N. Mount Juliet Road, 6:30-8p.m., maps available at 4 p.m.

 

 

NEWS ARTICLES

 

http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/local_story_058081525.html
Fletcher, Rogers speak on Lake
Governor is optimistic; Congressman focuses on efficiency

 

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007702270333
Web site with maps of possible flood areas proves popular

More counties to be added, Austin Peay says

 

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/outdoors/16778944.htm

Lake's area smaller by about quarter

 

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/outdoors/16778942.htm

Win, lose — drawdown

'New' Lake Cumberland has positives, negatives

PHOTO ESSAY/LETTER TO THE EDITOR REGARDING THE LAKE CUMBERLAND WATER LEVEL REDUCTION

 

Author: Commerce Cabinet Secretary George Ward

 

By now many of you have heard about the Army Corps of Engineers decision to lower Lake Cumberland in order to make needed repairs to the Wolf Creek Dam. The repairs are necessary to ensure down stream residents can continue to live without fear of a breach. Yes, the lake level will be 43 feet below normal summer pool level. But Lake Cumberland will still be the third largest lake in Kentucky with 37,680 surface area acres. The photos below by John Tuttle, taken after the water level reduction occurred show just how much water is left for folks to enjoy.  They also show a new feature for the lake this year – a shoreline that can be explored.

 But the folks who saw a nine picture photo display in a recent story in a Lexington based publication may have been left with the impression that there would not be any water left in the lake at all. 

Those photos showed a few of the lake’s shallow cove areas, a minority view of what the massive lake looks like.  Photos like those selected will likely be picked up by many other news organizations around the country. Those who view them will be led to believe the lake is dried up, damaging the $150 million dollar a year tourism industry in the area.

 

Photos like the ones below, taken by Tammy Broyles, show the lowered level and its impact on some of the boat ramps, while still showing the ramps are useable and the lake is accessible.

 

 Hank A. Phillips, a travel and tourism columnist wrote in the February 23, 2007 edition of Business Lexington: “…when there is a disruption in a tourism destination, the situation is frequently so misstated or overstated that traveler perceptions are often far worse then the reality of the situation. (emphasis added)”  Mr. Phillips further reported that the Somerset-Pulaski Convention & Visitor’s Bureau “…have been fielding calls from misinformed consumers, including those who believe the lake is dry.”

 

We'd like to let the public know there is plenty of water and opportunities for recreation at Lake Cumberland this boating season.  Photos like the ones below, taken by Ann Cates, depict what the majority of the lake is really like.