Lake Cumberland Level Remains At 680
NASHVILLE, TENN., June 24, 2008 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that as the grouting program at Wolf Creek Dam progresses, the Corps is in the final stages of evaluating a major contract for the installation of a concrete barrier wall. Meanwhile, visitation at Lake Cumberland continues to rise as the summer recreation season gets underway.
As work progresses, the Corps continues to take all appropriate measures to decrease risk, particularly at critical structural locations, by duly evaluating advanced instrumentation and considering all relevant information to ensure the dam is fully stabilized. “In the area adjacent to the concrete dam, we are reevaluating our grouting program. This is the area with the most caves and voids in the foundation and we are finding that closing the grout line with our current grout processes is not possible. Recent observations of changes on the embankment crest have led us to complete a detailed review of all available data and install additional instrumentation in the area of the embankment adjacent to the concrete structure. While this is a concern, it does not impose additional risk to the project.
Installation of the instruments, evaluation and analysis of data, and implementation of the revised grouting method will take several months. While public safety remains the primary concern of the Corps of Engineers, we have been pleased that visitors continue to hold Lake Cumberland among Kentucky’s primary destinations for recreation this summer,” said Barney Davis, Jr., Chief, Engineering-Construction Division.
Even as the Corps of Engineers continues to stabilize Wolf Creek Dam in preparation for the initiation of construction on the concrete barrier wall, reports from lake marina owners indicate that overall houseboat reservations have increased compared with last year, particularly during Memorial Day weekend.
Visitation during that weekend increased nearly ten percent from 2007, which is largely attributable to the collaborative efforts of the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association (SEKTDA), local businesses and the Kentucky Department of Tourism. Their extensive media campaign, targeting vacationers and boaters from around Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, continues to make visitors aware of the widespread recreational improvement around Lake Cumberland’s 1200-mile shoreline and the abundance of recreational opportunities currently available at the lake.
Fifty-two public access boat ramps around the lake have been constructed or extended to accommodate boaters, including the recently completed Cave SpringsMarina on the north shore.
Fishing conditions are reported to be excellent, with smallmouth bass, walleye, stripers and threadfin shad plentiful in the lake and rainbow and brown trout abundant below the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery in the Cumberland River. Finally, as aggressive debris removal continues along the shoreline, visitors describe Lake Cumberland’s scenery as pristine and beautiful as ever.
“Indefinitely eliminating all seepage issues and safety concerns at Wolf Creek Dam in a timely manner is a top priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationally,” said LTC Bernard Lindstrom, Nashville District Commander. “Some of the Corps’ most talented engineers are fully engaged on this project, and all available scientific and financial resources are being employed to ensure successful completion of the project while maintaining the absolute highest standards of public safety.”
The Corps’ decision to raise the pool at Lake Cumberland remains contingent on completion of key structural measures and acceptable performance of the project. Collaboration with local business and tourism agencies will remain a priority for the Corps as grout work at Wolf Creek Dam is finalized and as construction begins on the concrete barrier wall.