Emergency Action Planning for Wolf Creek Dam, Russell County, Kentucky

Abstract Only - The Wolf Creek Dam located in Jamestown, Kentucky impounds Lake Cumberland. The reservoir is the largest man-made reservoir east of the Mississippi River. At flood control pool it has 6 million ac-ft of storage. Constructed from 1941-1952, the dam is founded on karst limestone geology. Seepage and piping of soil through the foundation is a significant dam safety concern with this type of foundation. Throughout the life of the project, seepage indicators have been noted and previously treated. Signs of increasing seepage in the last several years caused safety concerns that lead to the completion and approval of a major rehabilitation report in 2005.The rehabilitation will consist of the installation of a diaphragm cutoff wall and a grouting program to eliminate the seepage through the foundation. The Emergency Action Planning at the County, State, and Federal level have been a critical asset during the planning phase, will continue to be vital during construction, and will improve emergency response for years to come.