I hope this doesnt affect you Roadwarrior!

[Deuceu72]

Just saw this article on the news.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Fearing a dam break that could cause catastrophic flooding in Kentucky and Tennessee, the Army Corps of Engineers began lowering the water level on Lake Cumberland on Monday.

The measure was aimed at reducing pressure on the weakened 240-foot-high dam, said Lt. Col. Steven J. Roemhildt, commander of the Corps of Engineers' Nashville office.

"We must take this emergency action to reduce risk to the public and to the dam itself," he said in a statement.

If the Wolf Creek Dam, which is nearly a mile long, were to break, flooding in communities downstream along the Cumberland River could kill people and cause an estimated $3.4 billion in damage, Roemhildt said. Cities along the Cumberland include Nashville, Tenn., whose metro area contains 1.4 million people.

Corps spokesman Bill Peoples said failure of the dam was not imminent. But he said people should have evacuation plans ready in Nashville and other downstream communities, including Burkesville in Kentucky and Celina, Carthage, Clarksville, Gallatin and Hendersonville in Tennessee.

Nashville officials said that they have a plan in place for any flooding but that any threat would be minimized once the lake's level is lowered.

"We have re-reviewed some of the plan and addressed specific things that may need to be included if there's a breach in the dam," said Amanda Sluss, a spokeswoman for the city Office of Emergency Management.

The dam, which has a concrete core surrounded by earth, was built near Jamestown in the early 1950s. The lake it holds back was created as part of a federal plan to control floods along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

Two recent studies raised questions about the dam's integrity, Roemhildt said.

Water has been seeping under the dam and eroding the limestone on which the concrete rests, he said. He said crews were pumping grout into the ground to counter the erosion.

Reducing the water level could have a major ecological and economic effect as well. Roemhildt said people can expect fish kills because of a rise in water temperature, and boats at marinas could be left high and dry.

Kentucky Commerce Secretary George Ward said as many as 90 percent of the launching ramps will be unusable because they won't reach the water's surface.

Lake Cumberland, about 100 miles southeast of Louisville and one of the nation's largest freshwater reservoirs, is a popular destination for boaters. A thriving houseboat industry has sprung up around the lake, which has more than 1,000 miles of shoreline.

At a marina near Russell Springs, workers spent Monday moving million-dollar houseboats to moorings where they can stay afloat after the water recedes.

"We're kind of at a loss," said Estelee Slusser, who operates the Alligator Dock No. 1 marina. "It has just happened so quickly. We really don't know what to do."

The Army Corps notified local officials and business owners before making the plan public Monday. Slusser said she learned of it Friday.

"We spent the whole day yesterday on the phone with customers, trying to calm them down," she said.

[RiskKid.]

Thanks Deuceu.....I live in Nashville and have not heard a word of this til now. Lake Cumberland is pretty far northeast of Nashville but it is the Cumberland River which flows thru downtown. I'm going to have to do some more research as to whats happening.

[roadwarrior]

WOW!

That's scary, but it doesn't impact me directly. I fish the Tennessee River.

[RiskKid.]

This is pretty interesting folks.

They are going to lower the water level to 680 ft and keep it there until the fall when they can reacess things. They are pumping grout into the base of the dam where it sits on limestone to reduce erosion. They say that and the lower level will greatly reduce risk of a breach. They say it is a high risk but nothing is immenent. Regular summer pool is 723 ft so this is 43 ft below summer pool and 10 ft below winter pool. Most boat ramps will be unusable. Marinas are having to make major adjustments (in the millions of $$$$). There are concerns for boat traffic this summer due to smaller lake surface and new hazards. There is worry about fish populations due to temperature changes (this is a deep and cool lake by southern standards and is good for smallmouth and walleye). The Gov of KY is beginning research on economic impact.

As our dams in this country age this becomes a timely and interesting situation to follow. If you do a search on lake cumberland most of this info will come up.

[Nick B]

I practically grew up on that lake, my folks own land by the Conley Bottom Marina, 40 ft drop is a lot, but that lake is really deep, I remember the channel running at about 200 ft +. So maybe there is hope for the fish, I was planning on going out with the family this year, I may have to wait on that, but it would be a great opportunity to see the structure and such that I didnt see before.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

It was on the news here in RI this morning.  That's alot of agua.

[Catt]

WOW!

That's scary, but it doesn't impact me directly. I fish the Tennessee River.

Typical bass angler  

The dam is on the verge of bursting causing catastrophic flooding down stream with untold damage and all RW is worried about is it not taking out his honey holes.

[roadwarrior]

Ouch!

Let's talk about Texas a minute...Has all this rain filled up most of the reservoirs?

[Catt]

Toledo Bend Reservoir

September, 30 2006 lake level was 161.7

December 30, 2006 lake level was 165.61

January 20, 2007 lake level is 171.93

Rise in four months 10.23 feet

Rise in less than one month 6.32 feet

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife the reservoir is 100% full

It's still raining in the immediate area

[cart7t]

Wow. That's a pretty big reservoir.  Looks like the water would have to flow through both Cordell Hull and Old Hickory lakes before getting to Nashville.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Fork is up 2 feet!!!   :)