Lake Cumberland Update

[biggw]

Tonite on the Strader Show Jon Gasset, Benjy Kinman and Governor Fletcher talked about the Lake Cumberland situation.
Here are the basics, and I hope to be able to stream the show for those who are interested in hearing it.
Governor Fletcher has started the ball rolling on planning and is actually a little ahead of the game. I was very impressed with his knowledge of the situation. State is working closely with the Corps to extend ramps to make the lake accessible to all that want it by Labor day.
Most of the talk centered on Best and worst cases for the fishery.
The simple fact is that the DAM will be managed for SAFETY first then for water quality to the communities that use it for water, then for fish.
Benjy Kinman feels that the trout fishery below the dam is the least at risk of the cold water fisheries. The Corps has indicated it will work to keep the River in shape to a point.
The greatest risk is for the Striper and Walleye fishery in the lake. Th problem being the amount of cold water stored in the lake in winter will be reduced.
Worst case scenario, is heavy rain causing a flush of water. That would basically kill quite a few of the larger stripers and walleye. IF we can get a regular or low water spring then we will have gotten past the biggest problem until August. Then the problem becomes keeping the water cool enough for the Hatchery.
In the end the basic belief is that this will be a great opportunity to help the lake and the fishery down the road. While the short term may hold some problems they can be over come and the lake improved. This will mean the state working with the private sector to get work done in a timely manner.
The fishery is in good shape and the lake will stay open for business.
I will try to do more detail later tonite or tomorrow, feel free to chime in with your takes on this.
Jim Dicken
Editor Fishin.com

Something i heard on the radio yesterday morning some other company,made the comment that the water level needs to be down more to stay out of danger-40 to 75 feet more wow now that would be wild,did anyone else hear of this ?

[elnutsmalljaws]

I heard from a guy whose brother in law works for Fish and Wildlife and he says there is a proposal drawn up, that is a LAST RESORT proposal, that could take Cumberland down to the original river channel if all else fails. Anyone want to go in halves on the House Boat Relocation and Storage business short term? I see immediate potential for profits if this was to happen for anyone in the House Boat relocation business. I don't think we can move the Webb boat as it sits. We may have to remove a couple of DECKS on that big girl.

[biggw]

You are right on that one Elnut she is a big boat--Now i don,t know whats going on with that dam but they had better get it fix now-THE HECK with the fish ,they are not worth lifes down stream--Man some days the gov.drives me up the wall=====================,, <-- FIX it

[know1]

Heard on the radio this morning that there was a story in the Courier-Journal about another group of engineers who are calling for the lake to be lowered an additional 40 ft. I looked at the CJ website this morning, but didn't see that story.

[fishbum]

Heard on the radio this morning that there was a story in the Courier-Journal about another group of engineers who are calling for the lake to be lowered an additional 40 ft. I looked at the CJ website this morning, but didn't see that story.

Ignore anything you hear and send it to me before putting it out. Hearsay is what is going to cause some serious problems.. Another point is that there are those who will profit from rumors of the demise of the lake.. Other Marinas on other area lakes in other states south of here will try to take advantage of this. Lake Cumberland is one of the top 5 lakes for recreation in the US based on Search Traffic. Rumors are just that. I have contacts with Fish and Wildlife and with COE I can utilize to confirm or deny any rumors.
Jim Dicken

[stratosjoe]

I fished Dale this weekend and they were saying something about removing limits on all fish size and amount ? any truth to that?

[know1]

Ignore anything you hear and send it to me before putting it out. Hearsay is what is going to cause some serious problems.. Another point is that there are those who will profit from rumors of the demise of the lake.. Other Marinas on other area lakes in other states south of here will try to take advantage of this. Lake Cumberland is one of the top 5 lakes for recreation in the US based on Search Traffic. Rumors are just that. I have contacts with Fish and Wildlife and with COE I can utilize to confirm or deny any rumors.
Jim Dicken

Actually, I found the article later on in the Courier Journal. It's just something mentioned in passing that an outside engineering group is calling for it to be lower. Heck, anyone can "call" for it to be lower - that doesn't mean it will happen.

(I see someone else posted the link to the article as well)

[RoadToad]

Actually, I found the article later on in the Courier Journal. It's just something mentioned in passing that an outside engineering group is calling for it to be lower. Heck, anyone can "call" for it to be lower - that doesn't mean it will happen.

(I see someone else posted the link to the article as well)

Very true, but the rumor mill will continue to churn, partly because the COE, citing terrorism concerns, won't even say who the "outside engineers" are.

[Wormin]

Heard on the radio this morning that there was a story in the Courier-Journal about another group of engineers who are calling for the lake to be lowered an additional 40 ft. I looked at the CJ website this morning, but didn't see that story.

Man these guys are slow,Good Picture Fishrgurl gettem thinking again!

[panfish]

Are they drawing down the lake at this time??

When do they expect it to get to 680'?

Any idea where the water will be??

Will the creeks still have water on the east end like in Pitman creek, fishin creek, whiteoak??

[RoadToad]

Here's another pertinent courier-journal article, where they've interviewed James Gray, manager of the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, about the potential effects of the draw down:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...73270569248064

At least they've kept their sense of humor:
"We were joking in the office about the media saying that if the dam failed there would probably be a small number of lives lost," Gray said. "That small number would probably be us."

[RoadToad]

Heard on the radio this morning that there was a story in the Courier-Journal about another group of engineers who are calling for the lake to be lowered an additional 40 ft. I looked at the CJ website this morning, but didn't see that story.

Here's the URL:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...73270567913515