Commerce Cabinet
April 25 Newsletter on Lake Cumberland/Wolf Creek Dam

Friends of Lake Cumberland –

Wolf Creek Dam Consensus Report (peer review report)

On Tuesday April 24^th, the Wolf Creek Dam Consensus Report (peer review report) was released. This was the independent review of the situation at the dam.

Below are some excerpts from the report:

• Section 5.0 (which includes the Histograph chart) and Figure 3 shows the dam is NOT to the ‘progression’ stage and is below ‘breach’ stage. The chart clearly shows the draw down and grouting will dramatically lessen the problem and the situation will continue to improve once interior wall is constructed.

• “The panel believes the district is taking appropriate steps with respect to both pushing ahead with the remedial work and potentially increasing its effectiveness.”(Page 15 of report.)

• “The panel generally believes (corrective actions taking place) is a viable long term risk reduction alternative.” (Page 16 of report.)

• “The report leaves the door open for the Corps to use their discretion to keep the lake level higher than 650 by expanding the grouting program.” (Page 15 of the report.)

Below are some points made during the conference call with media regarding the report:

• The panel of engineers doing the peer review were “comfortable” with the lake level at 680 feet above sea level, as long as current corrective measures continue.

• “The panel agrees with the 680 elevation.” ( Exact quote from Peer Review Panel)

• The report is just one of many data points and is NOT a substitute for local Corps judgment.

• The dam was actually in worse shape in 1969 than it is now.

• The lake level could go in EITHER direction, up or down.

GOVERNOR FLETCHER ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR SOMERSET WATER INTAKE MODIFICATION

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced that the city of Somerset, by his executive order, will receive a $565,000 grant to help with the cost of modifying its public water intake to function in Lake Cumberland at a level as low as 610 feet above sea level.

Somerset is among public water suppliers forced to modify intakes after the Army Corps of Engineers warned that Lake Cumberland – already lowered to 680 feet – could be lowered another 30 feet by December 2007. The Corps lowered the lake in January to begin a seven-year repair project on Wolf Creek Dam. Somerset’s current fixed water intake cannot function at a lake level below 675 feet. The new intake would float on a barge to allow for water level fluctuation.

“It is important that we be prepared in the event Lake Cumberland is lowered even farther by the Army Corps of Engineers,” said Governor Fletcher. “Our actions now will ensure that all citizens, businesses and industries have a safe, reliable source of water as repair work is done to Wolf Creek Dam.”

Somerset provides potable water for more than 100,000 people, 2,400 businesses and 23 industries throughout the region. The grant will pay for almost half of the expected $1.175 million project cost.

On April 12, 2007, the Governor Fletcher signed Executive Order 2007-298, authorizing the Governor’s Office for Local Development (GOLD), in coordination with the Office of the state budget director, to fund projects to ensure the continued public health and safety of counties in the Cumberland River basin.  GOLD is the agency responsible for administering the funding for this project.

WOLF CREEK DAM EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION 9-1-1 SYSTEM NOW ACCEPTING RESIDENT AND VISITOR

CELL PHONE AND E-MAIL INFORMATION

Registration Information Available at www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher and the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security announced today that residents and visitors to areas below the Wolf Creek Dam are now able to input their cell phone and e-mail information into the region’s new emergency notification 9-1-1 system. Individuals and businesses may register their information by logging on to www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov and clicking on the icon, “Wolf Creek Dam Reverse 9-1-1.”  

The system, commonly referred to as “Reverse 9-1-1”, has been installed in Clinton, Cumberland, Russell and Monroe Counties. The system serves as a means of communicating with the public during a potential emergency involving the Wolf Creek Dam.

“It is critical that we are able to communicate effectively with the public during an emergency,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher. “The new emergency notification 9-1-1 system provides us with an extra means of communication in the region below the Wolf Creek Dam and is another example of my commitment to ensuring the public health and safety of every citizen, business, and visitor to Lake Cumberland.”

The state began testing the system on April 12. The state will continue to evaluate the system and test cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses over the coming weeks.

The emergency notification system enables homeland security to send a pre-recorded message to home phone numbers in the area. Recipients of an alert will receive an automated message with details and instructions on what to do in the event of an emergency.

NEWS ARTICLES

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS02/704250365

Less-drastic lowering of lake had been OK'd

http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6420184

Independent panel studying leaks at Wolf Creek Dam issues report

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/042507whasmjdTopLakeCumberland.8faefb0.html
Review panel agrees to less-drastic lowering of lake

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070425/NEWS02/704250478

USEABLE BOAT RAMPS

The following Corps operated and Commercial Marina boat ramps are usable at or near the target elevation 680.  (Ramps are monitored on a daily basis and conditions are subject to change.)

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

http://duo-county.com/cam_lake01.html

Jamestown Resort Marina, from the motel island looking ESE out to the main lake.

LIVE WEBCAM ON LAKE CUMBERLAND