Corps offering public tours of Martins Fork Dam

Photo By Leon Roberts | This is a photo taken in April 1979 upon completion of construction of Martins Fork Dam in Smith, Ky. The photo was in the press kit for the Martins Fork Dam Dedication Ceremony held 11 a.m. June 30, 1979. The project was built and is now operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District.  

SMITH, KY, UNITED STATES

07.15.2013

Story by Bill Peoples 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District

SMITH, Ky. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is offering public tours of Martins Fork Dam here Saturday, July 27 and Aug. 17, 2013. Visitors can choose from a 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. tour time. Guided tours of the structure are free to the public 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 [phone], 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.

Park Ranger Brent Sewell, natural resource specialist, said 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 Sewell.

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 [phone].

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.

• Date Taken: 07.15.2013
• Date Posted: 07.15.2013 17:03
• Story ID: 110228
• Location: SMITH, KY, US