Rough River Lake nears summer pool, Early drawdown scheduled for Sept. 10

Published Sept. 1, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake staff at Rough River Lake has begun to fill the reservoir to its summer pool elevation of 495 feet.

“If the area receives sufficient rainfall, the reservoir will reach summer pool by mid-April,” said Mark Wilmes, Rough River Lake manager.

Once the lake level has reached elevation 495 feet, the Corps will target this elevation for the remainder of the summer, through the Labor Day weekend.  One week after Labor Day, beginning on September 10, 2007, the lake will be drawn down to its normal winter pool elevation of 475 feet.  The early drawdown is necessary to facilitate the second phase of the ongoing Rough River Dam improvements and repairs.

Work scheduled for fall of 2007 includes modification of the project’s stilling basin, or outlet works structure, located in the tailwater area below the dam.  These improvements will allow the reservoir to safely make higher releases. 

Access to the immediate area below the dam, including the outlet area, will be closed to the public throughout construction.  However, the state park tailwater campground will remain open.  A temporary campground entrance will remain in place throughout the second phase of construction to separate campground and construction traffic.  Construction activities were suspended during the third weekend in July to accommodate the Official Kentucky State Championship Old Time Fiddler’s contest.

Currently, the first phase of work at the dam is nearing completion.  The dam is being raised and work on the rock toe is almost complete.  Vehicles longer than 30 feet are still prohibited from crossing the dam until traffic is reopened to two lanes by mid-April.  Phase one of construction should be complete by the end of April.

For questions,  contact the Public Affairs Office at 502-315-6766.