OK, Stop the Panic.. and Listen

[fishbum]

IN reading the CJ and other reports there is NOTHING NEW in these reports. The "POSSIBILITY" exists that the lake "COULD" be lowered another 30 feet.

None of this is new. This is the NEWS MEDIA playing its usual game making a big story where there is NONE currently. The lake is at 680 and is slated to stay there UNLESS there are "NEW" developments. the Media is taking cautionary information and treating it like it is fact NOW.
We will not know for a couple of months if the drawdown another 30 feet is necessary.
There is a PDF file on the net posted by the COE that says it could go as low as 610. http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/is...20Measures.pdf

THIS is a WORST CASE SCENARIO. Yes we need to be ready and to get things in line, BUT right now with the current situation 680 is going to be the number. This was stated in Mid January by the COE, and reinforced today on the phone by Fish and Wildlife. The meeting yesterday was to get people on board for the "Possibility" that the lake could go lower.
At 650 the lake is STILL 18,000 acres.. larger than Barren River Lake.
IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.
Jim Dicken

[know1]

I think the 650 is sounding like a definite....just won't happen for another year.

[PRO V LE]

If the current grouting project does not work in slowing the water flow then they may drop to 650.
Lets all hope they pump plenty of stop leak in there this spring and summer.

[fishincreek]

I'm with you fishbum. I am totally amazed that grown adults work themselves into a panic on what some reporter writes as a maybe.

[zx150]

The news here in Louisville is awful. It is my opinion that they reprort what they want so they will have a better story. I know they have been given correct information on different events and they say the complete opposite of what was said for their stories. I don't watch the news or get the paper for that very reason.

[bassmaster]

[At 650 the lake is STILL 18,000 acres.. larger than Barren River Lake.
IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.
Jim Dicken[/QUOTE]

Not for me or you Jim but for folks who have lived in that area and made the tourism business their life.....not so good. Alot of jobs could be lost (IF the lake has to be drawn down to 650 or lower) Not enough factories between Somerset,Jamestown, and Louisville to make up for those lost jobs(They are all in Mexico).
I'll also say this, I LOVE the lake and being on it. I want it to be OK for my own personal reasons but I'm only selfish. I've fished it for years but it's not my home....some folks depend on this lake for their living. I'll say a prayer for them all and wish the best for them. We need to show these folks our support as Kentuckians and fellow outdoorsman. Visit www.lakecumberland.com for more details on the lake,folks who work on or near it, and for more links about progress on repairs.
See ya'll on the water,
Tim
bassmaster

[LarryG]

No its not the end of the world, but its one reason I moved here, to be at a lake that was big enough, to handle a lot of boat traffic, and still be a place where a guy could get away from the herd, and relax and do some fishing.Now I will need to stop and think is it worth the extra 20 miles for me to drive to an accesible boat ramp, fight the crowds,and have no place to escape the crazies?The past several years I have been fishing dale more, but now I'm hearing that the crowds will go there instead.I dont fish week ends, and now i even feel sorrier for the guys who only have that option.Now about the poor tourists, tough, how will this affect the drinking water for all us residents who use the cumberland system?Some of thjis info is also wrong, they say use fall creek ramp, that is a joke, during normal fall draw down that ramp is barely usefull, did anyone from the corp go to see what it looks like?

[tr186man]

First off let me say that I am a fisherman and a civil engineer. No I have not been involved with the dam study, problems at Wolf Creek or a Corps employee. I also do feel bad about the loss of revenue that the lake lowering will cause to the area as well as the State. I am also concerned about the short term as well as the long term effects on the fishery as a whole. However, we must remember that Cumberland along with most of our lakes here in KY are flood control impoundments first and most importantly. Fishing, recreation and community commerce are adjuncts of the impoundments. I often hear how the Corps is doing this or that to hurt the fishing by raising or lowering water levels. The Corps main concern with any and all of its impoundments, along with the TVA, is the protection of those towns, cities, homes, people, etc. downstream. During periods of heavy rains these impoundments must be able to hold a substantial amount of water while the downstream tributaries get back to their normal levels. Most watersheds for these area lakes are huge and an inch or two of rain can raise them several feet in a couple of days. It may take a week or more after that for the downstream areas to recede enough so as to let the excess water out in a controlled fashion.

Having studied the hydrology of dams some seepage is common either within the dam itself or under its foundation. However, in the case of Wolf Creek this seepage has been occurring for a long time and is increasing. This poses many dangers to the dam as well as the foundation. By lowering the water levels you decrease the pressure on the dam face as well as the foundation; and, thus hopefully reduce some of the seepage. Therefore, minimizing failure risks. As the work progresses the Corps will continue to monitor seepage rates and pressures to verify that conditions remain safe. If futher drops in water levels become necessary for safety reasons then that is what will be done. I have not read or seen any news as of late concerning the dam because like most have said, media tends to play on our fears in order to keep us tuned to them for information.
In my honest opinion I hope the Corps fixes the problem correctly this time so that future problems can be avoided. Rather than give into media and/or politcal pressure for a quick fix that will accomplish nothing more than a band-aid approach. This would be even more devistating to the area economics and the fishery since the work would have to be done again.
As I stated before, I do hate to see the unfortunate impacts to the area that this is causing now. However, one must ask one's self what would the impact be to the fishery, area economics, towns, cities, people, state, ect. if nothing is done in order to give us all a place to play and fish over the next few years and a major failure would occur.

Whether it be Cumberland, Nolin, Rough, KY/Barkley, etc. these lakes exist for flood control, power production (in a few cases), water supply, etc. Recreation and all that benefits from that is secondary. Water levels and their respective time tables are set based on historical data of rainfall. Yes some years it may take longer or shorter for a lake to fill or lower to its pre-designated level. That is something that is beyond the control of man for the most part. I tend to trust what I hear from experts in the field as to what needs to be done or happen rather than some politician, local leader, marina owner, media outlet, etc. who is only concerned with or how the situation is going to affect his/her pocket book or career.

Sorry for the long post, but over the past two or so years and all the bickering about water levels and how they should be changed so as to improve fishing, extend the boating season, ect. has really begun to bother me. Most of the people making these arguements do not know the scientific reasons behind the water levels to start with. Yes I would like for the levels to be more advantageous to our fish and their habitat, but that is not what the lakes were designed or built for. This is just one of the great and beautiful outcomes. I think we should all be thankful that we have such wonderful and beautiful places like these to go and fish, hunt or just ride around on. Let the Corps do their job with our support even if you don't tend to agree. If fisheries begin showing a downward spiral then the biologists and KDFW need to work together with the Corps and address the problem. No fishery can go on for several decades and not have some type of down years and up years. The key is to manage what we have and abide by the rules. If we all do this then Cumberland will survive and flourish in the up-coming years. Yes, some stocking, size limits, creel limits, etc. may need to be changed to help it recover. But in most cases this only leads to a better than before fishery.

Thank You,

Andy Myers

[artcarney_agr]

Right on Andy! I agree with you 100%!

By the way, are you a P.E. ???

[redneckshadrap]

Right on Andy! I agree with you 100%!

By the way, are you a P.E. ???

Good Post...

Billy

[wtucker]

Andy, As you know by our boat conversations, I echo your sentiments 100%. It's about time you use your head for something other than a bait rack!

[tr186man]

Right on Andy! I agree with you 100%!

By the way, are you a P.E. ???

Yes I am a P.E. I have a B.S. and a MENG from U of L's Speed Scientific School.