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Water Management Report for Cumberland River Basin
Other Projects
Two other water resources projects make up the remainder of the system managed by the Corps of Engineers. One of these projects is Martins Fork, which is a very small (~500 acre) impoundment high in the headwaters of the Cumberland River near Harlan, Kentucky. Martins Fork is too small to have any effect on overall operational concerns in the Cumberland River system under the present drought and reduced flow scenario.
The other headwater project is Laurel River. Laurel River Dam impounds the Laurel River at mile 2.8. Laurel River discharges into the upper reaches of Lake Cumberland. The power plant at the Laurel project is operated and maintained by the Corps, but the power is distributed by the Eastern Kentucky Electric Power Cooperative. There is insufficient water available in Laurel River Lake to have any real impact on Lake Cumberland. No special operational changes have been initiated at Laurel River in response to the reduced storage at Lake Cumberland. One spillover effect on Laurel River Lake could ultimately be that more tourist traffic goes to Laurel to recreate due to lower lake levels at Lake Cumberland.
In summary, given the restrictions imposed by dam safety concerns, water management by the Nashville District Corps of Engineers has become highly adaptive in nature. As monitoring data is collected, the system is adjusted to try and alleviate or at least improve environmental conditions, within the context of meeting other demands on the river system. Since dam repairs are likely to take several years to accomplish, this will become a multiyear situation. All this does point out that even given the abundant water resources of the Cumberland River Basin, water resources can quickly be stressed by all the demands placed upon them. In that way the Cumberland is not unlike other highly developed river systems in much drier climates. We are more vulnerable than we think when it comes to having adequate water resources, and we cannot afford to take the water resources of the Cumberland River Basin for granted!
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Know what the major Cumberland River pollutant is? Well, it is the DIRT and
the other "stuff" from our yards, our roofs and our driveways that runs off
every time we have a good rain.
If we all kept our dirt in our own yards, the river would be a lot healthier
and safer for everyone.
Visit the Sediment page to learn more about Muddy Waters and what YOU can do
to keep your dirt at home.
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©Cumberland River Compact 2007. All rights reserved. Although every effort has been made to present comprehensive information, The Cumberland River Compact is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all liability for negligence and damages of any kind, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising out of use, reference, to or reliance on this site. Published statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Cumberland River Compact. Products and services that are mentioned or advertised within this site do not carry any kind of endorsement by The Cumberland River Compact.
Background image ©John Guider.
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