Wolf Creek Dam ~ Lake Cumberland, KY

Over 50 years ago, the Army Corp of Engineers built Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River and began the creation of Lake Cumberland. Located in Clinton, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell and Wayne counties in south-central Kentucky, Lake Cumberland shoreline measures 1,255 miles and is spread over 65,330 acres. The main lake is 101 miles long and over 1 mile across at its widest point.

Originally planned from the 1920s and enacted by Congress in the 1930s, with groundbreaking in 1941, early construction of Wolf Creek Dam to impound the Cumberland River was halted by World War II. Following the war, work resumed and the dam was closed in 1950, beginning what was originally named Wolf Creek Reservoir. The name “Wolf Creek” comes from the original planned location for the dam, several miles upstream near the confluence of Wolf Creek with the Cumberland River. Though the location changed, the name remained. The body of water was officially renamed “Lake Cumberland” in 1954.
 
Wolf Creek Dam is the 22nd largest dam in the United States. The primary reasons for the dam was for flood control of the occasionally wild Cumberland River, and for hydroelectric power generation.

Once the purchase price was agreed upon, properties were numbered with the owner's tract number. Owners received a "Notice of Acceptance of Option for Purchase of Land" letter with a full copy of the accepted options from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Most people tried to remain on their properties as long as possible. Pictured is the numbered farm of Shell and Gladys Oatts, which was moved to Hwy. 1275 before the property was flooded. 

It wasn’t only farmland that was flooded—sometimes whole towns were lost to the lake. Communities such as Rowena, Horseshoe Bottom (currently under Jamestown Marina), Swan Pond Bottom, Lulu, Long Bottom, Indian Creek and Stokes would cease to exist once the lake filled. Residents in Long Bottom were the first to leave their homes, churches and schools. Shortly after, other communities were evacuated.

123 cemeteries and the remains of 2,800 people also were relocated because of the impoundment for Lake Cumberland. Headstones, coffin lids and remains were removed and reinterred in cemeteries on higher ground. With the lowering of Lake Cumberland in 2007, several small cemeteries resurfaced, exposing empty coffins and burial vaults. For more information, try to find a copy of Carol L. Sanders book, The Cemeteries Under Lake Cumberland and Russell County, Kentucky, Death Records, 1852-1858, 1874, 1878, 1903-04. 

Burnside was more fortunate. Before the dam was completed in the spring of 1951, entire structures in the town were moved to higher ground. Houses were built and businesses relocated. Many of the businesses refused to relocate to "Upper" Burnside. Jobs were lost and some residents, mostly the young, moved on to bigger towns and new jobs.

The following pictures show what the area of Burnside looked like during the flooding. A bridge span was submerged when the lake filled up faster than expected.

In the background you can see the tunnel & bridge of old Rt. 27.

The lake as it approaches the rooftops of abandoned buildings.

Burnside Supply Co. as it was being swallowed up.

In 2007, fearing a break in the dam, the lake was lowered to a level of 680 feet. Repairs to the dam were completed in 2013.

Thanks to Jim Patton for bringing this ghost lake to my attention!