Lake Barkley

Lake Barkley was impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1966. The dam impounds the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, Kentucky, approximately 38 miles (61 km) up stream from where the Cumberland empties into the Ohio River. One mile (1.6 km) above the dam is a canal connecting Lake Barkley with Kentucky Lake, forming one of the greatest freshwater recreational complexes in the country. The lakes run parallel courses for more than 50 miles (80 km) with Land Between the Lakes recreational area located between them. Lake Barkley is 134 miles (216 km) long with a shoreline measuring 1,004 miles (1616 km). The lake's level is fluctuated from summer to winter for flood control purposes. Summer pool 359 ft (109 m) sea level is normally reached by May 1. The water level begins dropping gradually on July 1, and winter pool (354 ft.) is reached by December 1. The spring rise starts April 1. The lake's water surface area varies accordingly from 57,920 acres (234 km²) at summer pool to 45,210 acres (183 km²) at winter pool.

As with the formation of Kentucky Lake, communities were flooded in the 1960's to build Lake Barkley. You may hear someone refer to Eddyville and "Old Eddyville", as well as Kuttawa and "Old Kuttawa". The "Old" areas were the portions of the cities that were left above the water after the areas were flooded. You will notice these old areas are now lakefront. The present day cities were created after the lake was formed. Old foundations and streets, previously flooded, are still visible during winter pool. Highways were even relocated including US 68 and US 62 along with state routes and smaller streets. The Illinois Central Railroad was relocated and can still be seen under water from low flying planes above.