This web site is designed to inform you about efforts to improve recreational boating on the Lake without changing the established lake levels. 

Click on link below to view or download the

Summer Pool Extension Final Complete Environmental Assessment

and

Finding of No Significant Impact

Due to the shallow depth of Lake Barkley, an average depth of 15 feet, there have been requests to keep the “summer pool” lake level, 359, up for a longer period of time.  Since there are potential adverse impacts to the authorized project purposes of flood control, hydropower, navigation, recreation, and fish and wildlife as a result of any decision to extend the lake levels, a separate Environmental Assessment (EA) is being conducted to evaluate those impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act.  Lake Barkley is connected via an open canal to TVA’s Kentucky Lake, thus any level changes to one directly affects the other.  The EA must consider impacts of both systems.   Based on the complexity and time requirements of completing the lake level study, the Corps decided to explore interim measures to improve recreational uses of Lake Barkley prior to completion of the EA.  This site will help solicit other ideas to accomplish this purpose.

To report hazards, missing buoys or provide comments that should be considered by the Project Development Team, call (270)362-4236

Authorized Purpose.  The Barkley Project, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, is a multi-purpose project, authorized by Congress in 1946 to provide flood control, navigation, and hydropower in the Cumberland River Basin. Two additional purposes for which Lake Barkley is managed are recreation and fish and wildlife, included as authorized purposes by separate Acts of Congress. The dam was completed in 1966. The adjacent Kentucky Lake was constructed in 1944 and is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Both agencies are mandated to meet their authorized missions. For example, the highest percentage of benefits from Lake Barkley is derived from improved navigation, both upstream and downstream of the project.