Kentucky Dam is the longest dam operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority and creates the most important synthetic lake within the japanese United States. The engineering marvel took many years of planning and constructing at an astounding value. Eighty years later, the dam stands sturdy on the middle of pristine outside recreation in Kentucky and Tennessee.
And you may drive to an surprising customer middle throughout the highest of the dam.
I used to be nonetheless enamored by three days of tenting and climbing within the Land Between the Lakes Nationwide Recreation Space after I drove previous the Kentucky Dam. I turned onto a aspect street that I assumed would give me a last parting view of the lake. However as a substitute, I discovered myself driving throughout the gargantuan dam.
It’s a uncommon alternative to drive throughout such a formidable dam. And whereas visiting, I discovered a couple of different issues to do at Kentucky Dam. Which of those catches your consideration probably the most?
Map
Find out how to use this map: Click on the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend gadgets to show extra data. When you’ve got a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s title to save lots of this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Building of Kentucky Dam
The catastrophic flood of 1937 left 1000’s displaced and full cities below 50′ of water alongside the Ohio River. Close by Paducah, on the confluence of the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers, sat below 60.8′ of water for almost two weeks. When the water receded, the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers started devising a flood management plain.
The Tennessee Valley Authority was established in 1933 as a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The federal government-owned company’s mission was to generate hydroelectricity, develop flood management, and supply navigable entry to the Tennessee River. After the Nice Flood of 1937, the TVA centered on constructing a dam 22 miles upstream from the Ohio River.
READ MORE: 16 Issues to Do in Paducah, Kentucky
Building started in 1938. The TVA bought 320,000 acres of land and relocated 365 miles of roads. The dam used earthen works and concrete stretching 8,422′ – 1.6 miles – making it the longest dam within the TVA system. When development completed in 1944, the ultimate price ticket was $118 – a whopping $2 billion in as we speak’s foreign money.
Did You Know?
Kentucky Dam is the final dam on the primary department of the Tennessee River. The primary is Fort Loudoun Dam close to Knoxville. The dam was named after an early British fort made notorious when it was captured by Cherokees – for the one time in historical past. A recreation of the fort stands above the lake with a formidable view of the Nice Smoky Mountains.
Discover the Kentucky Dam Customer Middle
When the dam was accomplished, U.S. Freeway 62 and a railroad crossed the highest. When a brand new lock was inbuilt 2008, the freeway and railroad have been relocated downstream. The street throughout the dam remained, offering entry to the powerhouse and customer middle.
There aren’t any indicators asserting the existence of the customer middle. After spending three days within the Land Between the Lakes asking about issues to do, nobody had talked about it. I discovered it totally by chance and couldn’t have been happier.
The customer middle is extra like a museum than a spot for data. Displays element the historical past of the Tennessee Valley Authority, clarify how hydroelectricity is generated in dams, and graphics present how locks permit boats to journey alongside 352 miles of the Tennessee River.
However what actually caught my consideration was the management room. Twitching needles on dials and flashing LED panels have been mesmerizing. I pressed my smartphone towards the plexiglass wall to seize images. After which I jumped when an individual walked into the management room – the operational management room! Not a recreation as I had thought.
The customer middle is open seasonally from April by October. Often, retired engineers volunteer and spend their time answering questions concerning the overwhelming know-how concerned. Restrooms outdoors the customer middle are open year-round.
Go Fishing at Kentucky Dam
When Kentucky Dam impounded the Tennessee River, it created the most important synthetic lake within the japanese United States. It’s additionally one of many area’s finest sources of unpolluted water and a haven for wildlife.
Anglers will discover varied fish within the lake, together with largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie.
A sound fishing license is required, and there are many close by provide shops. When you may have every little thing prepared, there are two nice locations to spend a day fishing at Kentucky Dam.
The East Financial institution Fishing Pier is close to the customer middle. Drive throughout the dam, proceed previous the buildings, and park on the finish of the parking zone beneath the U.S. Freeway 62 bridge. Toss a line anyplace alongside the rocky shore.
The West Financial institution Fishing Pier is throughout the river. To get there, drive towards Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and exit the freeway onto Gilbertsville Freeway. Head towards the state park’s campground, turning proper on the gatehouse. The parking zone is beneath the U.S. Freeway 62 bridge.
Park on the Kentucky Lake Overlook
After turning off U.S. Freeway 62 to drive throughout the dam, the street ascends the earthen dike above the lake. A small parking space instantly on the appropriate provides a spot to benefit from the spectacular view of Kentucky Lake.
Kentucky Lake options an astounding 160,000 acres of water floor. On sunny summer time days, dozens of boats minimize throughout the lake from close by marinas.
You’ll be able to see the state park’s sandy seaside and personal lakefront houses from the overlook. With an excellent pair of binoculars, you may be capable to make out the small lighthouse on the Lighthouse Touchdown Resort & Marina.
The previous railroad mattress was transformed right into a multi-use path when the railroad was relocated for the brand new lock. The path begins at a parking zone at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, passes the scenic overlook, and ends on the lock.
Keep at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Kentucky is thought for its spectacular state parks like Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the place you may expertise the moonbow, Pure Bridge State Resort Park the place you may stroll beneath a 65′ excessive pure stone bridge, and Pine Mountain State Park the place you may hike to Chain Rock excessive above Pineville.
However none of all of the state parks function lakeside tranquility higher than Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.
Opened in 1949, the state park options an 18-hole golf course with a par 72 and 6,704 yards from the again tee. The professional store is open year-round, the place guests can hire a golf cart and fill up on wanted provides.
Take pleasure in lake actions at one of many few sandy seashores on Kentucky Lake. The recreation space has a ship ramp and picnic shelters to get pleasure from a meal with a view. However you’ll even have a spectacular lake view on the Harbor Lights Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling home windows and outside seating.
Spend an evening or two within the park’s lodge with 72 hotel-quality rooms, hire a totally geared up cottage, or park your RV on the 200-site campground.
Lease a Boat at Kentucky Dam Marina
Kentucky Lake options 2,064 miles of shoreline round 160,000 acres of water floor. The lake is so massive that it will be unattainable to drive from one finish to the opposite and again in a single day.
A lot of the shoreline on the japanese aspect of the lake is undeveloped, a part of the Land Between the Lakes Nationwide Recreation Space. Dozens of cozy coves are the proper place to anchor a ship for the day and benefit from the peacefulness of lake life.
The Kentucky Dam Marina is nice for renting a ship, paddleboard, or kayak. They provide an fascinating number of boats that offers you choices for day by day actions:
- 25′ pontoon boats function a Bimini prime and loads of lounging area to get pleasure from a day casually cruising the lake.
- 25′ double-decker pontoons function an higher deck with a slide, excellent for anchoring close to the marina and spending the day in a single place.
- 23′ pontoons with a strong 115hp motor are nice for sightseeing on the lake.
- 18′ Bayliners function fishing rod holders and plenty of storage for spending a day fishing on the lake.
Steadily Requested Questions
Sure! You’ll be able to drive throughout Kentucky Dam from the western aspect close to Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.
Kentucky Dam impounds the Tennessee River about 22 miles from the place it meets the Ohio River.
Sure, Kentucky Lake is a synthetic lake that was created in 1944 when Kentucky Dam impounded the Tennessee River.
Kentucky Dam is in Grand Rivers in western Kentucky. The dam is 22.4 miles upstream from the place the Tennessee River meets the Ohio River.
Kentucky Dam was constructed from 1938-1944.
The Tennessee Valley Authority constructed Kentucky Dam to generate hydroelectricity and supply flood management.