By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. — Last winter the outlook for Lake Cumberland, located in the south central part of the state, was bleak at best with the announcement that Wolf Creek Dam, the 50-plus year old dam which created the lake, was in drastic need of repairs to ensure the safety of the lake and avoid any breach in the dam.

In an area where tourism generates nearly $153 million annually, the news came as a blow to merchants and residents who depend on the lake to make a living and rumors of a dried up lake began to make their way around the eastern half of the country.

Besides the tourism aspect of the region, Lake Cumberland, the fourth most popular lake of its kind in the nation, is the major water source for many communities around the region.

However, the recent Memorial Day holiday kicked off the first summer season for lake business since the bad news, only this time the news wasn’t all bad.

Kentucky officials were happy to announce that early numbers showed a promising start for summer tourism in the area.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released data showing approximately 223,000 travelers visited the Lake Cumberland region during the Memorial Day weekend, compared with approximately 243,000 in 2006, something Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Randy Fiveash was happy about.

“After the dire predictions that followed the lowering of the water level at the lake, having a visitation drop of less than 10 percent is unbelievably good news, said Fiveash. “Now we will go to work to alleviate all other misconceptions about the lake and get the visitation levels back to normal. Those who enjoyed the lake over the weekend said they didn’t know what all the fuss was about. Once those people go home and tell their friends, visitation should grow considerably.”

Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller said business at the four state resort parks in the Southern Lakes Tourism region (which includes Lake Cumberland) was about the same as last year. Lake Cumberland State Resort Park sold fewer cottage reservations but more lodge rooms, and overall Parks revenue for the region was higher than in 2006.

Raymond Thompson is the University of Kentucky County Extension agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and said while the lake is a valuable resource to the region; he’s more concerned with the lack of water falling from the sky rather than the amount in the lake.

“There is plenty of water coming in from the region’s watershed so the water level in the lake is really not the main issue for the farmers. Their pumping capacity will be more of an issue. We use a lot of water this time of year and we have producers here who may have to irrigate if we can, but if there are water restrictions, we may not get all we need,” he said. “Any water would be helpful right now but this is the time of year for isolated showers which generally aren’t much help. We all hope for a little rain before long.”

Efforts have been made by state and local agencies to ensure water will keep flowing to those communities that rely on the lake as a water source and to assure residents and tourists that all is well at the lake.

Many communities have modified their intake abilities on the lake in the event the lake level drops further. Some estimates take the lake down another 30 feet by the end of the year if necessary. Repairs on the dam could take more than seven years to complete.

Captain Tim Catron of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has patrolled Lake Cumberland for 18 years and said he talked to many happy visitors over the holiday weekend.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people this weekend and everybody is tickled to death,” said Catron. “Most folks thought it was better than in years past, thanks to the extra attention and the weather.
Based on what I heard and saw, I think when visitors go home and talk to their friends, people will say there is plenty of water and it is still an excellent time.”

The current lake level stands at 680.55 feet above sea level as opposed to last year at the same time being 724.02 feet according to figures compiled by the Lake Cumberland Directory.

This farm news was published in the June 13, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.