Friends of Lake Cumberland –

 

GOV FLETCHER APPROVES PERMANENT EXTENSIONS AT TWO BOAT RAMPS AT LAKE CUMBERLAND

 

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources expanding three additional ramps

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) are taking action to extend two boat ramps at Lake Cumberland.  Bids for permanent concrete extensions to boat ramps at Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and General Burnside Island State Park are now being reviewed.

 

“Lake Cumberland is an economic powerhouse for the entire region,” said Governor Fletcher.  “My administration will continue to focus on real solutions that will keep both the commercial and recreational environments of the lake community healthy this summer.  Improving access to the water by extending the ramps is critical to our overall mission to stabilize the area’s economy during this challenging time.”  

 

Earlier this year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lowered the water levels at Lake Cumberland in order to make critical repairs to Wolf Creek Dam

 

“Governor Fletcher has directed his administration to do everything possible to ensure the safety and economic stability of the Lake Cumberland region,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert.  “Making the water accessible to boat traffic is one of the primary challenges associated with the low water levels.” 

 

The work at these two ramp sites is part of the overall efforts by the Governor and administration agencies to mitigate low water levels and improve access for boaters.

In addition, the ramp at General Burnside Island is critical to the region’s renowned houseboat manufacturing industry.

 

“The cabinet is taking action to permanently extend these ramps,” explained Highway Commissioner Marc Williams.  “The concrete slab extensions will provide safe, smooth access at both of these popular sites.”

 

“We want folks to know that Lake Cumberland will be open for business this summer,” added Commerce Secretary George Ward.  “Lake Cumberland continues to be one of Kentucky’s greatest attractions.”

 

Contracts to extend both ramps are expected to be approved within the next few days, and construction work will begin soon after.  Both ramp extensions will be complete and open to traffic before the summer boating season begins. The ramp at General Burnside Island will be available for houseboat launching on Mondays and Tuesdays with pleasure boat launching at all times.  The Lake Cumberland State Resort Park ramp will remain closed until the extension project is completed.

 

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is also extending three boat ramps on Lake Cumberland to continue improving access to the lake. The total cost of all three extensions is about $120,000.

 

“By extending these ramps, the state is providing access for recreational boaters and fishermen to enjoy Kentucky’s third-largest lake, Lake Cumberland,” said Governor Fletcher.  “There is plenty of water and opportunities for recreation at Lake Cumberland this boating season.”    

 

 

Rep. Rogers announces $2.25 million to help Lake Cumberland

 

WASHINGTON, DC.-U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' is releasing $2.25 million for a number of mitigation measures to ease the impact of reduced water levels at Lake Cumberland.

 

These measures include extension of marina launching ramps, protection and enhancement of recreation and parking facilities, and other improvements that will retrofit existing structures to accommodate the reduction of Lake Cumberland to 680 feet.

 

"This funding is an important step in the right direction," said Rep. Rogers.  "The Lake Cumberland community is open for business, and I am pleased the Corps is working with us to provide the resources to help ensure that is the case.

 

Marina ramps scheduled for extension include Cumberland Point, Fall Creek, Waitsboro, Lee's Ford, Conley Bottom, Alligator 2, Jamestown, Grider Hill Dock, Burnside Island State Park and LC State Park.

 

Rogers sought this funding as part of an ongoing approach of working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair Wolf Creek Dam and enable Lake Cumberland to continue to provide economic and environmental benefits to the area.

 

 

LAKE CLEANUP

 

The Friends of Lake Cumberland are working with PRIDE and setting up a spring clean up for the lake.  We will be working from all of the commercial docks and various ramps on the lake picking up trash. 

 

They estimate that they'll have about 500 people helping that day.  The date is set for Saturday April 14.  The backup date is Saturday April 21. The time has not been set yet.

 

Anyone interested in helping should contact Steve Syphax (V.P. Friends of Lake Cumberland) at stshsyphax@msn.com or at 513-403-0220 if you have any questions.

RAMP CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO THE CORPS:

The following Corps operated and Commercial Marina boat ramps are usable at or near the target elevation 680” (* Due to recent heavy rainfall, lake elevations have been higher than the targeted 680 elevation and many ramps not shown on this list may be currently usable. However, lake levels are on the fall and these ramps are expected to change to the status of unusable again. Ramps are monitored on a daily basis and conditions are subject to change.)  Lake predictions for March 9, 2007 are in the range of 685 elevation and by March 21, 2007 the 680 elevation range.

	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
	Halcomb's Landing (small boats less 20'approx.)
	Jamestown Marina
	Lee's Ford Marina
	Waitsboro (small boats less 20'approx.)

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

 

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

 

PUBLIC MEETINGS

 

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PUBLIC TOWN HALL MEETINGS

	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.

 

Weather Radio Distribution Schedule

March 28

Clinton County

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Clinton Senior Center

110 Spring Street

Albany, KY

 

March 27                                                             March 29 

Russell County                                                     Monroe County

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.                                          10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency    Old Monroe Co. H. S. Gym

23 Industry Drive                                                  401 W 4th Street

Jamestown, KY                                                     Tompkinsville, KY