Lake Cumberland water level
 

We haven't been to Cumberland in a couple years, not because of the water lever, but other reasons. What's the water level like this year? Can you get back to 76 falls?

As of right now, because of all the rain we have had, the lake level is actually above or at "normal summer pool". They are however trying to pull it back down. There is quite a bit of debris and tgrash on the lake as well. There should not be any trouble getting to 76 Falls for the next weekend or so.

http://www.duocounty.com/cam_lake01.html

Here is a link to the Jamestown cam. You can see debris floating between the docks. First of the month you could walk across that same area..

Go to lakecumberland.com... When the water gets back down you can not get all the way into the falls, the new party spot is Harmon creek!!!

Pics from this past Saturday. The fourth pic is from behind the falls . Yes, we got a little wet:drink:

Very cool pic's....thanks!

Will there be any water there in July or August?

nice pics, i've been there a bunch of times in the past (in the 90's) and the water was way lower then that the falls were twice that height. Heck i dont think I've ever seen more then a trickle over the edge. Can you still jump off it? I've done it dozens of times and every time i made the climb up the tattered old rope on the right side there was some kind of laminated article of someone dieing there (i was younger and dumber). Great place to spend a weekend, i always went after labor day and got a houseboat with a hot tub from State Dock :D

In normal times it is usually higher in the spring, then they would start dropping the lake after the July 4th weekend. Sine they satrted work on the dam some 4 years ago they try to keep the water level at 680 above sea level. Right now it's about 725. I'm sure the COE would love to drain it back down to 680 asap but the downstream conditions don't allow for that. Last year the COE took a ton of heat for dumping water into the system druing a 100 year flood and contrbuting to the flooding of downtown Nashville Tenn, so I've heard that they plan to only drop the lake 6 inches a day this time - so it should be up here for quite a while.

The falls hasn't been the party spot since they started work on the dam and dropped the lake to 680, but yea, crazy peeps were still jumping off when the water patrol wasnt around - a few with tragic consequences.

Our place on Cumberland is just a few minute from the falls at on top of the hill at Grider Hill Marina. We love Cumberland. For an inland lake it just doesnt get any better than Cumberland.

Were there a buch of trees floating or was it mostly little stuff?

We only went back to the falls and Brown Creek because there is a bit of everything out there. But it's patchy, some areas are totally clear. Didn't see any trees but there were some good sized logs mostly around the marina. Never made it out to the main lake but I have heard it is worse - and this is suppose to be the clean end of the lake. :eek: With them dropping the lake a bit now and with some wind we should be ok by Memorial Weekend. I would not want to be out there at night.

I went to the poker run in 2007 and I was surprised after hearing all the hype about the lake I expected more. No one mentioned it’s a dry county, not much for restaurants/lodging on the water or places to pull the boat up at and not much for night life. I’m sure it’s different if it’s your home lake and know tons of people, but I feel the same way about our inland lake - Lake of the Ozarks. :drink:

From what I've heard the best way is to rent a houseboat and have it as your "base of operations", come prepared and well stocked with the essentials.

There's nothing worse than finding out after you've got to a place that they don't sell any spirits... Lake Cumberland is one of the places I'd like to go to for the Poker Run sometime...

The part we like is in the summer you can find water conditions for what ever you want to do ski, float, swim, run wide open or you can hide out in one of the many coves and not see no one for hours. The water is clear enough you can see what pitch prop someone is running.

Pretty much sums it up! To me, there is nothing better than Cumberland.

Also there are three Poker runs on the lake this year. I hope people have an opportunity to take a trip to Lake Cumberland this year!

See you in Sept....

I was thinking about testing props and lowers on Friday. Thought I might launch and wrench at the ramp at the Dam. Do you think it's a waste of time?

Last Saturday it would have been but things can change quickly in a week. From our deck it is looking better every day. If I hear of anyone venturing out I"ll let you know what they say.

I've been to both lakes, but Cumberland is my "home" lake. I agree with you on the night life. Really enjoyed the night life and bars/restaurants on Lake of the Ozarks. You guys know how to party. As far as quality of water and endless coves, you really can't beat Cumberland. Next time ur there, try hanging out around State Dock. Closest thing to a Bar on the lake. Take a walk back into the private owner slips where all the houseboats are. The docks really get rockin with tons of friendly people who will welcome you in.

+1 I love going there Poker Run weekend and have met some great people. I've been in 2008 and 2009 but couldn't make it last year. Would like to make it again this year, but just doesn't look like it's in the cards.

I was thinking about heading out there Memorial weekend too, what is the best place to launch and things to watch out for? We have been out to Barren River Lake a couple times this year but with all the flooding most of the ramps are closed right now.

Yes. Lake was a mess yesterday. No way I'd see you being able to run all out this weekend. Not to mention the lousy weather forecast.
Here's a quote from the local forum from the tow boat service on the lake posted late last night:

Even with the gas prices at $4.00 a gallon it may not be all the expensive of a weekend, but I better bring an extra case or two for all the sitting.

You should just stick to what's in mountain dew 2 liters!!!

Big Midwest Donzi Club Event coming up there-
http://mwdonziclub.com/

First timer heading down to Cumberland for Memorial weekend. looking for suggestions on best place to launch a 38. Harmon creek the place to be? any marinas with overnite slips? Restaurants?

Thanks

Scott

Scott
It depends on which direction you are coming from. I think the easiest and best ramp is Conley bottom. They do post that there is a charge for anything over 30' ($1 per foot). I launch my 38 there all summer long and I will say they didn't charge me more than the $5 normal fee last year. Don't know with the bad economy maybe they lightened up on the fee. The most popoular ramps for the big boats are Jamestown and State Dock. They both have overnight slips available. State Dock has the best night life...but remember the whole place is a "dry county". You will see plenty of alcohol but you just won't be able to buy it there. Yes...Harmon is the place to be. Typically the further west you are on the lake....the cleaner the water. Enjoy

Thanks for the info! Jamestown has a dock available, have to get back with state dock, any preference between the two?? sounds like a better party at State dock? any decent restaurants in the area?

If you decide to stay at Jamestown i know they have a water taxi that will take you over to State dock. I just dont know how late it runs. I would call them and ask how late it runs at night.

State dock is def the better party. Jamestown has the hotel if you need it. The water taxi is a good option but I don't think it runs real late (except Poker Run weekends). Jamestown marina does have it's own restaurant. As far as restaurants by land....the town of Jamestown would be your only real option, and I don't know of any that I could recommend. Usually once we hit the water, we are on it til the end of the weekend.

Try lure lodge at the top of the hill at state dock they will pick you up .