Published: May 24, 2007 08:40 am      

Optimism abounds for holiday despite lower lake level

The official visitation forecast by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Memorial Day weekend is down somewhat because of the lower lake level, but optimistic Pulaski countians are getting ready for a big crowd during the first holiday of summer.

This is also the first holiday period since the 1970s that the level of Lake Cumberland is drastically lower than normal summer pool. The lake is being maintained 43 feet below the tree line to ease pressure on troubled Wolf Creek Dam. Leaks in the dam also resulted in a lower lake level for a short period during the 1970s.

A Corps spokeswoman said 195,000 visitors are expected in the 10-county Lake Cumberland area this coming weekend. The total is about 48,000 less, or some 20 percent fewer than the same holiday last year.

However, despite the low lake level, optimism abounds. Carolyn Mounce, executive director of Somerset-Pulaski Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she was in the process at midweek of checking motel reservations, and initial reports are encouraging.

“Some motels are fully booked (for the weekend) and some have rooms left,” Mounce said at noon Wednesday. There are about 1,100 motel rooms and places to stay overnight in Pulaski County.

One thing is for certain, visitors will be welcomed, Mounce assured. She said the Bureau will have an open house at the Visitors’ Center off Ogden Street between 7 and 10 p.m. Friday.

“We’ll have a live band and the festivities will be broadcast over Clear Channel’s five local radio stations,” she said. Somerset Rotary Club members will be frying hot dogs and hamburgers supplied by the Bureau and Pepsi has donated soft drinks, she said.

“This is also Somernites Cruise weekend,” reminded Mounce. She said there will be activities at Mill Springs Battlefield and a veterans’ program to attract visitors.

Despite a boat-launching ramp that is not operational because of the low water level, Burnside Marina is bracing for a crowd of water lovers.

“Every houseboat we have is rented,” said Whitney Farmer, store clerk at the marina. “It’s a lot better than last year.” She pointed out that the nearby ramp on General Burnside Island State Park will be in use.

The swimming pool and golf course at the state park are both closed because of construction, but Judy Smith, pro-shop manager, said the camping area will be full.

Lee’s Ford Marina Resort is expecting a big crowd. The boat ramp at the park is in operation and a spokeswoman remarked that holiday activities “ ... are beginning to pick up.”

Vickie McQueary, manager at Pulaski County Park near Nancy, expects crowds to be somewhat less this weekend because “ ... the water’s gone.” Many areas along Fishing Creek around Pulaski County Park are adversely affected by the low lake level.

“We’re hoping for a big crowd ... depending on the weather,” said McQueary. “All our campsites with water and electricity are rented and all shelter houses have been reserved for Saturday.”

Access to the lake should be relatively easy. The Kentucky Department of Commerce said the following boat-launching ramps in Pulaski County will be usable during the Memorial Day weekend:

1. Slate Branch – from Somerset, take Ky. 1642 east from U.S. 27 and stay on Ky.1642 to the ramp.

2. Lee’s Ford Dock – Ky. 80 west of Somerset, then south on Lee’s Ford Dock Road just past Fishing Creek Bridge.

3. Waitsboro Recreation Area – U.S. 27 south of Somerset, and west on Waitsboro Road.

4. Old Waitsboro Crossing – U.S. 27 south of Somerset to Ky. 90 and then to Old Waitsboro Road.

5. Burnside Island State Park – U.S. 27 south of Somerset to Burnside, then west to Burnside Island State Park. An overflow parking area has been prepared just west of the causeway and a shuttle will take boaters to and from the lake.

6. Omega/Buck Creek Marina – KY 769 southeast of Somerset to Omega Park Recreation Area Road.