Positive and beautiful look at Lake Cumberland

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LCNN - 8-24-2009 at 10:44 AM

The water level of Lake Cumberland has always been a highly discussed subject since the first day Wolf Creek Dam was completed.

This period in the history of the lake is perhaps the most discussed and still in many cases, the most misunderstood. With the repairs to the dam being highly publicized, many, many believe the lake is dry or near dry and still hold reservations about visiting.

The great majority of lake visitors will agree the level of Lake Cumberland today provides all new areas of exploration and enjoyment. There are so many new areas to be viewed and so many new shorelines to explore.

This week we were reminded of this when we read a post on the forum from member Jeff Sumner, known on the forum as Head-Water.

His thoughts are as follows:

Being in the headwaters of LC, I would like to bring perhaps a different perspective on the draw down of Lake Cumberland.

I'm situated between the Cumberland River and Big South Fork in McCreary County. Near Cumberland Falls on the one side and Yahoo Falls on the other. Actually only 3 miles from Yahoo Falls.

In normal years, access to the lake isn't an issue. There are 6 access points, ramps into the lake in the county. Since the draw down, there is now only 1 (one). It's located on the Big South Fork some 25 miles upstream from Burnside. Which is just as well, as there's no lake to speak of here anymore except at the one. Which brings me to my point......

I have got to witness something that may never be witnessed again. Seeing the river as it used to be. Grant it...it's an adjustment and aggravating at times, but I've been places in the river that normally are 40-50 ft deep. On the Big South Fork seeing the bolders and shoals. I've seen springs boiling outta the ground that I never knew existed. I've gotten to canoe these areas and fish a fishery that had been covered since the 1950's. The river is only a few feet wide in places and rarely exceeds 50ft. With the drawdown trees are growing on the new old river bank. When the water returns, it's gonna be like a brand new lake up here.

Unfortunately, there is no access to Cumberland River from McCreary County currently. Nearest access is either Cave Creek or Jasper Bend area. Or in my case, I access the river from the mouth of Laurel creek below Laurel Dam in Whitley County. My first trip there after the drawdown was surreal. It's shallow everywhere. Ranging from 3-6 ft and 100ft or more wide. I sat there in my boat and took a trip back into a time that I only knew from stories and books. Seeing steel rings embedded in solid rock in the boulders and wondering how they did that and for what purpose. Was there some type of ferry there that they went from one side to the other with a rope? After reading some of the links on here from the threads that Cumberline gave, it just brought it all home. Floating down the river towards London Boat Dock at the mouth of the RockCastle River, I see the flats stretching hundreds of feet on the sides of the river and wonder did people plant them back when? I'm not a farmer, but they sure looked like a good place for a corn field to me. A mile or two downstream, there's a "forest" of huge stumps right in the middle of the river. Upon closer inspection, I realize it's an island. Still influenced by the lake a few more miles downstream, it's submerged 2-3ft. But those stumps are huge. Probably 6-8 ft across. I caught some crappie around them also! I see current human activity on a neaby bank and I take my boat over to see what's going on. I look around and there's pot holes everywhere, and I start noticing flint...it's been a native american site at one time. People have been looking for artifacts. A little farther and there's the mouth of the Rockcastle. I see a few pontoons and small houseboats on dry land this long after the drawdown. Must be gonna leave em till the lake rises again...I dunnno.

All the while, spinning in my head, I'm saying to myself...this is as close to what it was like way back when, that I"m ever gonna get. Seeing the river in it's original bed. What a sight, both with my eyes and with my soul.

Now about the drawdown, it's not been all negative. A few aggravations, but well worth the trip down a lane that even isn't my memory.

I didn't take any pics on my trips....I was actually fishing and done quite well I might add....but I do plan on returning down both rivers and will have a camera in hand as opposed to a rod and reel.

Head-Water returned a few days later and captured several photos of the area. You may view CLICK HERE

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Splash - 8-24-2009 at 11:40 AM

Beautiful pictures.

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mamakin - 8-24-2009 at 11:54 AM

It's breathtaking there! I have seen many of the places IRL - Cumberline took us and We also did a raft up in South Fork and London Dock with our lake family. We'll be heading that way in Oct again!

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NewLakeLover - 9-1-2009 at 09:09 AM

I wanted to thank you for a look at all the different parts we don't see and won't see after the water is up again. I am a new lake lover and will be going and exploring those places before its too late. Appreciate all the history you gave us. You give yourself a big pat on the back for all your hard work. Look foward to new pictures and enjoy your crappie.

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WaterWings - 9-1-2009 at 09:53 AM

BIG welcome to the forum NewLakeLover! Please come back often!
Wasn't that a great article and story by none other than a newbie just like you!
That was Head Waters first post and it was a dandy.

Newbies and lurkers....your first post or any post does not have to be a great literary work of art. Come on and chime in here. If you all knew me you would realize......HEY, they put their pants on just like I do.....cept for him, he's a little weird.

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madcon1023 - 9-1-2009 at 05:39 PM

One of the many voids left by Cumberline's passing is his history and knowledge of the lake area.
I think Jeff would be an excellent choice to take over some of the history portion of the forum if he chose to do so. This article and the pictures were magnificant.

Thanks for sharing.

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Captain Bob - 9-1-2009 at 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madcon1023 One of the many voids left by Cumberline's passing is his history and knowledge of the lake area. I think Jeff would be an excellent choice to take over some of the history portion of the forum if he chose to do so. This article and the pictures were magnificant.

Cumberlines's shoes may never be filled but I (we) encourage anyone with the talent, knowledge and resources to please share historical information with the rest of us. We don't really have a resident Historian (or "Riverlorian" as they were called on the old steamboats) but we sure could use one.

Jeff, how about it?

And ...uh.. one small detail. That position, like the Mods, is volunteer and unpaid but there is a lot of satisfaction from helping and -sharing with- others.

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Nervous_Wreck - 9-2-2009 at 07:08 AM

Speaking of Head-Water, I haven't seen him post lately?

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