Wolf Creek Dam

The Wolf Creek Dam is a dam on the Cumberland River in the Western part of Russell County, Kentucky. It was constructed to to generate hydroelectricity and prevent flooding but is better known for creating Lake Cumberland, which has become a popular tourist attraction. Image File history File links Wolf_Creek_Dam. ... Image File history File links Wolf_Creek_Dam. ... Scrivener Dam, in Canberra, Australia, was engineered to withstand a once-in-5000-years flood event A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. ... Length 1,106 km Elevation of the source 480 m Average discharge 3,217 m³/s Area watershed 46,830 km² Origin Oven Fork, Kentucky Mouth Ohio River Basin countries United States The Cumberland River is an important waterway in the southern United States. ... Russell County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. ... Hydroelectricity is electricity obtained from hydropower. ... Look up Flood in Wiktionary, the free dictionary A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. ... Map of Lake Cumberland Aerial composite of Lake Cumberland Lake Cumberland is an artificial lake in South-Central Kentucky created by the construction of the Wolf Creek Dam in 1950 at a cost of $80. ...

History

Construction of Wolf Creek Dam was approved in 1938, but due to the effects of World War II among other factors, construction was not completed until 1950. The last of the power generators were installed in 1952. Several small towns downstream from the dam were adversely affected by its construction, such as nearby Creelsboro. However, since 1950 the dam is credited with preventing several hundred million US dollars in flood damage. After passing through Wolf Creek Dam, the Cumberland River flows south and then west through Tennessee before turning north and back into Kentucky on the west merging with the Ohio River. 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the globe and is accepted as... 1952 (MCMLII) was a [[leap year starting on Tueday] (link will take you to calendar). ... Creelsboro is a ghost town in Russell County, Kentucky. ... Motto: E pluribus unum (1789 to 1956) (Latin: Out of Many, One) In God We Trust (1956 to present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at federal level; English de facto Government  â€¢ President  â€¢ Vice President Federal republic George... Ohio River viewed from Liberty Hill in Ripley, Ohio. ...

In 2005, the dam was discovered to have developed leaks under the earthen part of the dam. The center of the earthen dam is filled with a concrete slab that has already been extended. Minor repairs are scheduled to begin in 2006 with major repairs to begin in 2007. Lake Cumberland has been held at much lower levels since the discovery of the leaks in order to reduce pressue and leakage.

External links

• Wolf Creek Dam at the Lake Cumberland Online Visitor's Guide