Martins Fork Lake, Ky.

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US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS                                                   BUILDING STRONG®

                                                                            FACT SHEET

                                                                       (As of August 2012)

AUTHORIZATION: Section 204 of the Flood Control Act of 1965 (PL 89-298)

 

LOCATION: Martins Fork Lake is located in southeastern Kentucky in Harlan County about 15 miles from the City of Harlan. The lake is one of several multi-purpose projects in the Cumberland River Basin that is operated and maintained by the Corps of Engineers.

 

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST: McConnell (KY), Paul (KY) Rogers (KY-05),

INFORMATION:

Economic Impact:  $3,556,195 – FY 2011

Visitation FY11:  

185,748 Visitors (average)

474,024 Visitor Hours

 

Dam Information:

·        Became operational in November 1978

·        98 feet High x  526 feet Wide

·        Concrete gravity structure

o   Three 4 foot x 4 foot gated sluices with 10 inch bypass valves to maintain minimum 5 c.f.s.

o   Spillway is 200 foot, as of this date no flow has every been over the spillway

o   Record lake level high, April 1998, 1,333 feet

o   Unique Item about dam: Martins Fork Dam is the only Corps’ structure, stateside, to be constructed while “under fire."  The contractors were fired upon from the surrounding hillsides on three occasions.

Acres Land: 1,394 fee, 52 easement

 

Acres Water:

·        340 at summer pool (El. 1310)

·        Shoreline Miles: 10 at summer pool (El. 1310)

·        4 long to headwaters of lake

 

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Management Area:  1,000 acres (jointly management through the development of wildlife food plots- corn, wheat, sunflowers, “Game Mix”-milo, clover, soybeans, orchard grass).  Joint effort to improve fisheries by the construction of fish habitat structures, Christmas trees, wooden pallets, brush piles.

Harlan County Fiscal Court:

Recreation authorized under PL 89-72; Prohibits the project from providing Recreation opportunities without a non-Federal cost share partner.35 acres leased to local partner, Harlan County Fiscal Court.

 

Number of Recreation Areas:

Corps                                   0

Other – Lease Areas           1

Minor Access Points            1

 

Smith Recreation Area Facilities; Lease Area, Harlan County Fiscal Court:

·        1 Group Campground, 3 large picnic shelters, and 20 picnic sites,

·        Volleyball court and 2 basketball courts,

·        Concession stands and covered beach with swimming area, 2 gazebos, exercise trail, playground equipment, hiking trail around project-

·        Cumberland Shadow Trail with remote camping sites, boat ramp.

 

2011 Use Fee Revenues: $0, no fees are charged for the facilities on the project.

 

Staffing:

·        Corps (4 FTP)

·        Harlan County (2 FTP)Corps:

·        (1) GS 12   Park Manager

·        (shared with LAU/R) 

·        (1) GS   9   Park Ranger

·        (1) WG 9   Maintenance Mechanic

·        GS 6 Park Resource Office Assistant

·        County :(2) Equipment Operator

 

 

BUDGET ($): Estimated project costs are shown below.

 

 

For more information regarding the Martins Fork Lake, KY contact Tom Hale CELRN-OP-EKY-A, Phone (606) 679-6337, Thomas.E.Hale@usace.army.mil.