Lake Cumberland is located in Wayne, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, McCreary, Laurel, and Whitley Counties on the Cumberland River. At approximately 50,000 acres, it provides hydroelectric power, water for domestic and industrial use, flood control, navigation facilities, waterway systems for shipping, and recreation opportunities. The dam site is about 10 miles southwest of Jamestown, KY.

The Wolf Creek project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Harbor Act of 1946. Construction of the project, designed and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (Nashville District) was completed in 1952. The dam, powerhouse, and lake are operated and supervised by the Corps of Engineers’ personnel under the direction of the District Engineer at Nashville, TN.

In addition to swimming, hiking, hunting, canoeing, skiing, camping, and picnicking, Lake Cumberland is a fisherman’s paradise. Crappie, largemouth bass, bream, catfish, sauger and walleye, rockfish, and white bass are some of the most popular species. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for managing fishing on the lake.

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