A water quality team of biologists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers collected water samples in recent months, and will again this fall, from Wolf Creek Dam’s tailwater along with numerous locations in Lake Cumberland and the Cumberland River.
The work gives a general assessment of water quality conditions and, in a nutshell, verifies that the water in the lake and downstream is healthy for visitors. Overall, water quality in Lake Cumberland this year has been “good,” according to the Corps.
The water quality team visits the lake monthly to monitor water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH levels.
All of the information collected and lab results are sent to the Kentucky Division of Water to assess surface water conditions and for identification of impaired waters. Results are also sent the to the Environmental Protection Agency as well as to Congress.
During visits to Lake Cumberland the water quality team samples multiple locations such as Burkesville below Wolf Creek Dam, Jamestown, Monticello, Fishing Creek, Pitman Creek, Buck Creek, Somerset, Little and Big South Forks, Cumberland Falls, and Rockcastle River.
The water quality observations and results are reviewed by water managers who operate the system of dams in the Cumberland River Basin.