KENTUCKY - The Bluegrass State, is renowned for its rolling hills, bourbon distilleries, and vibrant horse country. It's also home to numerous beautiful and expansive lakes, many of which are man-made reservoirs offering fantastic recreational opportunities. When it comes to sheer depth, two major lakes typically enter the discussion: Dale Hollow Lake and Lake Cumberland.
Unveiling the Depths of Dale Hollow Lake and Lake Cumberland
While Dale Hollow Lake, which straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee border, often holds the record for the deepest point found within Kentucky waters, Lake Cumberland is also intense and is the largest reservoir in the state by volume.
Dale Hollow Lake: A Trans-Boundary Depth Champion
Dale Hollow Lake, famed for yielding the world-record smallmouth bass and its obvious waters, is a large reservoir formed by the Dale Hollow Dam on the Obey River, which is a tributary of the Cumberland River.
- Location: Portions of Dale Hollow Lake lie in Clinton and Cumberland counties in Kentucky, as well as Clay, Fentress, Overton, and Pickett counties in Tennessee.
- Maximum Depth: The lake reaches impressive depths, with some sources indicating the deepest point overall (which may be in the Tennessee portion) is around 130 to 190 feet (40 to 58 meters). The sections within Kentucky still boast significant depths, making it the deepest water body accessible within the state.
- Significance: Known for its pristine water quality, undeveloped shoreline (much of it managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), and outstanding fishing for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and walleye. It's also a popular destination for house boating, scuba diving, and other water sports.
Lake Cumberland: A Vast and Deep Kentucky Giant
Lake Cumberland, situated in south-central Kentucky, is another massive and deep reservoir that is critical to the state's recreation and water resources.
- Location: Encompasses parts of Russell, Clinton, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, and Wayne counties.
- Maximum Depth: Lake Cumberland reaches a maximum depth of approximately 200 feet (61 meters) near the Wolf Creek Dam, which impounds the Cumberland River. This makes it one of the deepest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.
- Significance: It's a major tourist destination, often called the "Houseboat Capital of the World." The lake offers extensive opportunities for boating, water skiing, fishing (especially for striped bass, walleye, and crappie), and exploring its numerous coves and inlets along its 1,255 miles of shoreline.
Why Depth Matters
The considerable depths of lakes like Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland influence their ecosystems and recreational uses:
- Habitat for Diverse Fish Species: Deeper, calmer waters can support different types of fish, including trophy-sized game fish that prefer such environments.
- Water Quality: Deeper lakes often have better water quality and clarity, especially in areas less affected by runoff.
- Recreational Activities: Great depths are ideal for activities like scuba diving (in Dale Hollow's case) and accommodate larger boats and a wider range of water sports.
While the absolute deepest point might fluctuate slightly with water levels and specific survey locations, Dale Hollow Lake generally holds the distinction of having the deepest waters accessible within Kentucky, reaching down to approximately 130-190 feet in its deepest channels. Close behind, and also impressively deep, is Lake Cumberland, with depths around 200 feet near its dam. Both of these magnificent reservoirs offer not only profound depths but also vast recreational opportunities and stunning natural beauty, making them true jewels of the Bluegrass State.
Sources:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Nashville District - for Dale Hollow Lake & Lake Cumberland/Wolf Creek Dam)
- Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
- Kentucky Department of Tourism
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (for Dale Hollow Lake information)
- Local tourism associations for the respective lake regions
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
