Wolf Creek Dam major rehabilitation may affect downstream communities

NASHVILLE, TENN. (January 18, 2006) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, announced in August that an extensive rehabilitation of the Wolf Creek Dam in Jamestown, Kentucky, has been approved by officials at the Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A second public meeting at Burkesville, Ky., will be held at the Cumberland County High School, Jan. 19, between 6-8 p.m., in the cafeteria.

During the rehabilitation, scheduled to start in 2007, increased flows may affect recreation on the Cumberland River and may affect low lying areas along the riverbank.
The approval of the Wolf Creek Major Rehabilitation Evaluation Report allows the Corps to proceed with obtaining funding for the project and to begin design efforts.

The Corps report stated that serious leakage problems threaten the long-term stability of Wolf Creek Dam. The leakage problem must be addressed now to ensure the future safety of the dam. Not addressing the problem now could increase the chances the lake might be lowered in the future and could increase the risk of failure of the dam. The report evaluates alternatives to improve the long-term reliability of the dam. The recommended alternative to repair the dam could cost $300 million.

Significant lake lowering is not anticipated. Near normal summer recreation lake levels will be maintained and the lake levels will be kept from extreme rises during other times of the year. From December to March, the downstream flows will be increased to lower the lake level.
Throughout the winter and early spring, the lake levels will be kept lower to take stress off the ailing foundation of the dam until repair work is completed.
Although not anticipated, there are various warning signs that could cause the Corps to lower the lake as an emergency action. The Corps has an aggressive Dam Safety program in place and will keep the public informed of the dam’s condition and progress during these repairs.

For more information concerning this matter, contact Bill Peoples, Chief of Public Affairs, at the Nashville District Corps of Engineers office at 615-736-7161.