Cumberland/Wolf River Dam - repairs

I was told this weekend that the Corps will be pulling the lake level down below winter pool this winter then only bringing it back up to just above winter pool for the next 2 years due to work on the dam. Is this true? Has anyone else heard this?

It sounds too unbelievable that thjey would keep it that low for so long. That would be devasting to the local economy in the surrounding communities, marinas and guides. I'm just trying to get confirmation of this rumor. I checked the Corps website and there was some mention of work on the dam but not lakes level predicitons. The guy that told it to me has relatives in the Somerset area that told him.

Anyone know anything about this?

If you will do a search on Wolf Creek Dam Repairs you will find links with articles on the repairs. One says the repairs have begun but only in design. The actual repairs will begin in 2007 and last for seven years. It also says each Fall the lake will be lowered to winter pool and held at that level unitl Summer months. I have heard rumors that this will have a huge affect on Dale Hollow which discharges into the Cumberland river.Any way do the search. I'm sorry I can't give you the Link address but there are to many letters,names,numbers etc... for me to keep it straight. I know I would screw it up.

Not sure how this would affect Dale Hollow since it is down stream.

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Nov-08-05 AT 07:08PM (EST)[/font][p]I was down at Cumberland in early October with a group of which I am a part of that has been going there trout fishing every year for 18 years now. Among some of the other activities we have there we have a fish fry every year. This year at the fish fry dinner we had a guest speaker that happens to be the man that is in charge of Wolf Creek Dam.

He spoke to us about the dam repairs and what it would involve. He basically told us that although the dam is in no danger at this time, their sensors show that the water is undermining an area of the earthen dam and that they were going to take the action now to fix it before it becomes a big problem. He said that they would be putting concrete barrier into the ground below the line where the water is eating away at the dam's foundation. He also addressed the water levels of the lake and how they would be impacted.

He told us that the lake would be held down to winter pool levels until Memorial Day in order to accomplish the mission. The man also told us that he was glad for a chance to talk to us since many in our group are locals and regulars there at the lake and river and he wanted us to put out the facts as he told us. He said the rumors are running rampant about lake levels and just how bad the problem with the dam really is....so basically if we take him for his word...and there is no reason not to since he is THE MAN....you can expect the lake levels to be down to winter pool until Memorial Day.

I'd also like to know how this effects Dale Hollow...

No reason it should affect Dale, Dale Hollow is formed bt the Obey River, not Cumberland.

by holding cumberland low in the spring, they must dump all the water it would normally store into the river, well when that gets down to where the dale drops in, they will have to hold dale extra high to compensate for the excessive flow already in the c-land river

n/m

Common sense tells me that since Dale Hollow is not fed by the Cumberland River it should have no effect whatsoever on Dale Hollow Lake.

Haven't read or heard anything on that possibility although I could see in an extremely wet spring it might possibly need to be done....wondering you have read anything on this or is this just your thoughts? Anyway, one thing is for sure...water flows downstream and at the end of the line of lakes on the Cumberland is Barkley and that is close to home...lol. Be interesting to see how the extra flow of water during the spring will effect us down here on this end.

From looking at an atlas it looks like the Obey River and Cumberland River meet in Celina TN. Dale Hollow would release water into the Obey which would then end up in the Cumberland. So what I am seeing would have to uphold what Buzzking is saying. The water that Lake Cumberland would be releasing to keep it at a low level would not allow Dale to release without the concern of flooding. Therefor the lake level would be affected. Certain variables will play a part though. Hope this helps!

Chris

Fellows,
It's not like they'll open the dam and release it all it once. It'll depend all on the rains and mother nature.
If we have a MAJOR amount of rain and flooding in the region that feeds Cumberland, they may have to do what Buzzking said, but only for a short amount of time.

Shouldn't effect it at all...
Redneckshadrap
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