Here is a copy of the KDFW position paper on the Corps proposed limiting of access to boaters above and below the Cumberland River dams located here in Kentucky:

Position Statement Regarding Boat Restrictions at Corps Dams
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District, is preparing to release plans to restrict boating access above and below their dams to maximize safety associated with hazardous waters. These restrictions are based on a 1996 policy established in ER 1130-2-520, Project Operations-Navigation and Dredging Operations and Maintenance Policies. Restricted areas are to be based on hydraulic criteria and site-specific operational considerations. The Nashville District has four impoundments in Kentucky including Martins Fork, Laurel River, Barkley, and Cumberland lakes. The above dam restricted areas will not significantly impact most boating activity; however, the below dam restriction will significantly impact boaters (anglers) below Lake Cumberland and Barkley Lake. The other two lakes do not have adequate streams that support boat access. Most other impoundments in the Nashville District are in Tennessee.

Areas below dams (tailwaters) provide a concentration of fish due to the physical barrier, flow and oxygen conditions, and the concentration of forage fish for major predators and these conditions attract boat anglers. Anglers have been accustomed to fishing these areas since 1953 at Lake Cumberland and 1966 at Barkley Lake. Data from Barkley Lake in 2000 reveal the importance of these tailwaters when there were 562 fishing trips per acre immediately below the dam compared to 4 fishing trips per acre above the dam. Over 60% of these fishing trips were made by boat anglers. Similarly the fish harvest in tailwaters was 2,655 fish per acre compared to 9 fish per acre in the lake. The economic value for the Barkley Lake tailwater fishery is over $3M. Site specific data is not available on Lake Cumberland tailwaters but anecdotally this is highest fishing pressure area and supports the highest catch rate and harvest for this entire 75 miles of trout stream. The proposed unofficial restricted zone below both Barkley Lake and Lake Cumberland are unnecessarily restrictive. They are based on bank full conditions with all major gates open-a true flood stage at either location. These are extreme conditions when it is definitely unsafe to be in this section and probably the entire river below the dam. Very calm and safe water will have restricted access for significant portions of the year including the major recreational season. We agree with the Corps there are significant safety considerations below any dam due to the periodic turbulent conditions and reverse currents that are created. Presently there are warning signs and a requirement to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) in this zone. The Department promulgated a state regulation in 2011 to provide our Conservation Officers the authority to enforce the Corps PFD requirement. The Department is opposed to the proposed restrictive zones for the following reasons:

Both areas support major recreational fisheries that will be negatively impacted.

The hydraulic line standard only applies at flood stage and is not applicable during other major times of the year.

The Lake Cumberland hydraulic standard is definitely excessive since gates have only been opened during rare events since the dam was constructed except during the current dam repair era.

The policy is being implemented without public input.

The policy is 17 years old and has not been implemented.

The policy contains language that allows some flexibility, i.e ..boundaries shall ordinarily be established based on high flow conditions…

The proposed buoy line to delineate the zone will be cost excessive and has not been budgeted.

Other alternatives are available including warning lights to designate a restricted zone when gates have been opened. Both our Department and Tennessee Wildlife Resources in Tennessee have agreed to provide enforcement if a less restrictive methodology is utilized.

The Corps can maximize safety and minimize legal liability by using other alternatives.


I received information from KDFW that a KDFW official met with a Corps official in Nashville recently and proposed these compromises but was met with a pleasant "no". Basically, as mentioned above, the Corps has already made up their minds and the meetings are to inform the public and not take input as they indicate. This above proposal was also sent to our Congressional representatives.

If there is any possibility of getting some compromise out of the Corps, it will only come if you contact your Congressional leaders and attend the meetings in force. I know there have been a number of petitions circulated etc...but personal contact with your Congressional leaders and a show of support at the meetings is basically the only hope we have at this point. So, if your not happy, go to the meetings and call your Congressional leaders today...time is short.

As far as the comment about "why not Ky Dam". Ky Dam is controlled by the TVA....not the Corps....but if the Corps puts these restrictions up on Barkley Dam, it certainly opens up the door for the TVA to follow suit on Ky Dam.

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