Somerset —
Money is in the federal budget for continued normal operation of the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued safety guidelines for hundreds of fishermen who enjoy trout fishing in the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam.
James Gray, project leader for the hatchery, said there have been no recent accidents below the dam. However, last summer, sudden opening of a sluice gate overturned a boat and a man and woman had to be fished out of the water, he said.
Fishing from the bank and from boats is highly popular immediately below Wolf Creek Dam. The often turbulent waters are teeming with rainbow trout stocked from the nearby hatchery.
Continued operation of the nearby trout hatchery was in doubt last year because $6.3 million to operate the facility at Wolf Creek and eight other national fish hatcheries was left out of the FY12 budget. The money has since been restored, Gray noted.
The hatchery at Wolf Creek produces 1 million trout each year with an annual budget of $907,000. “We’re operating normally,” said Gray.
The Cumberland River below the dam and through Cumberland and Monroe counties attracts trout fishermen from all parts of Kentucky and the region. Gray said 160,000 rainbow trout were placed in the river from the dam downriver to Monroe County between April and November last year.
The rainbows, between 9 and 10 inches long, were placed immediately below the dam, and at Helm’s Landing, Winfrey’s Ferry, Crocus Creek at Burkesville, Ky. 61 ramp at Burkesville, Cloyd’s Landing and McMiallians Ferry in Monroe County. Also stocked in the Cumberland River were 40,000 brown trout in March and 40,000 brook trout in February.
In addition to stocking trout in the Cumberland River, the hatchery also supplies trout to tailwaters of Laurel River Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Carr Fork Lake, Nolin River Lake, Rough River Lake, Barren River Lake, Licking River Basin, Cave Run Lake, Little Sandy River Basin, Grayson Lake, Yatesville Lake, Big Sandy River Basin, Dewey Lake, Fish Trap Lake, Martin’s Fork Lake, Brookville Lake, Kentucky Lake and streams, Paintsville Lake, Whitewater River Basin in Indiana and Cherokee Indian Reservation in North Carolina.
The Corps in a recent news release from its Nashville District office, warns boaters that fishing below Wolf Creek Dam or any dam with hydroelectric generators can be dangerous. Generators can start without warning and water may “boil up” suddenly, capsizing an unprepared boat.
Following safety tips for fishing below a hydropower dam were issued by the Corps:
1. Always wear a life jacket.
2. Always leave the boat motor running. A stalled or hard-to-start motor as well as an overloaded boat can lead to disaster.
3. Never anchor a boat below a dam. A sudden surge of water can pull a boat under before the anchor can be pulled up and the boat moved to safety.
4. Stay out of restricted areas. At Wolf Creek Dam, the restricted area starts 500 feet below the power plant during generation start-up. However, during sluicing operations and/or spilling from the flood gates the restricted area applies at all times.
5. Move to a safe area immediately when warning devices are activated.
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Tailrace at Wolf Creek Dam is one of the most popular trout fishing spots in Kentucky. With the spring fishing season in full swing, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warns that waters immediately downriver from a dam can be dangerous. Last summer, sudden opening of a sluice gate overturned a boat, and a man and woman had to be fished out of this pool below the dam. The waters are stocked with trout from the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery located just northwest of the dam. Photo by Bill Mardis
Water Hazard
Trout stream below Wolf Creek Dam poses hidden danger
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Business booming for new liquor store
Five liquor licenses were approved for Somerset and the third store to open was this past week.
Called "First Stop,"the new package store it is located on the west side of U.S. 27 between lights 20 and 21, which is a little north of TSC Tractor Supply. The owner is Charlotte Perdisaris and the manager is Michael Scott.
Perdisaris has been working on getting the store ready for a number of months but was delayed by the shipment and installation of a large 10 x 20 foot walk-in cooler that lines the back of the shop. Otherwise, she thought they could have opened much earlier and, perhaps, have even been the first to open.With such a large cooler, they have a large supply of beer and wine in it to choose from. As to other spirits, they have a large variety of brands, especially high end brands such as Crown Royal and R&R. In addition, they have beer singles on ice. At this time, they are the only local liquor store selling beer in kegs.
First Stop is the last liquor store to open that is locally owned and operated. The remaining two licenses are to drug store retailers. -
Scenic new trails opened at Pulaski County Park
Despite a rainy last several days, outdoor enthusiasts couldn’t help but play in the mud a little this weekend in celebration of the grand opening of biking and hiking trails at Pulaski County Park.
“We’ve been working on this .. for about four years,” said Pulaski County Judge-executive Barty Bullock to a crowd of around 50 people gathered at the head of the new trail at the park. “ ... It’s been such a good project.
“We think it’s going to be a huge asset to this community,” added Bullock.
The essence of the trail has existed at Pulaski County Park for decades as an Eagle Scout Trail. The newest trails, are almost 9 miles long, with five of those miles dedicated to biking.
The trail is built to the standards of the International Mountain Biking Association, a worldwide network that brings together serious bicycle enthusiasts. -
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