NR 14-012: Corps offering public tours of Martins Fork Dam

Published May 15, 2014

SMITH, Ky. (May 15, 2014) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is offering public tours of Martins Fork Dam here Saturday, June 7, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23, 2014.   The free guided tours of the structure are at 2 p.m. and are approximately 45 minutes in length.

Tour size is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.  All guests including minors are required to submit a request form at least five business days prior to the tour and receive confirmation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District.

To request a tour registration form and to learn more about the tours’ rules and details, please call the Martins Fork Lake Resource Manager’s Office at (606) 573-7655, or visit the Martins Fork Lake website at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Locations/Lakes/MartinsForkLake/OpenHouseTours.aspx.

Registered tour participants that have received an email confirmation will be required to arrive at Martins Fork Lake Resource Manager’s Office, located at 5965 Highway 987, Smith, KY 40831-5415, approximately 15 minutes prior to the designated tour time.  Tour groups will receive a brief introduction prior to beginning the tour.  Please note an increase in threat conditions may result in an approved tour being modified to only allow limited access or cancelled with little advance notice.

The dam is located at mile 15.6 of Martins Fork of the Cumberland River in Harlan County, Kentucky.

“The project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of October 1965 to provide flood control, enhance water quality and provide recreation,” said Park Ranger Brent Sewell, natural resource specialist. “We look forward to sharing information about the project with the public.”

The Corps began construction of Martins Fork Dam in December 1973 and impounded the lake in December 1978.  Kentucky Sen. Wendell Ford dedicated the project June 30, 1979.

For more information about the public tours, please call (606) 573-7655.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Martins Fork Lake on the Lake’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil/Locations/Lakes/MartinsForkLake and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/martinsforklake.


Contact
Bill Peoples
615-736-7161
william.l.peoples@usace.army.mil
or
Lee Roberts
615-736-7161
leon.a.roberts@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-012