THE NATIONAL PARK
The Creation of Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes: A Deep Dive
Historical Context of Land Between the Lakes
The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, encompassing approximately 170,000 acres between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley in western Kentucky and northwestern Tennessee.
✦This area, historically known as “Between the Rivers,” was originally inhabited by the Cherokee people before their forced removal via the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Afterward, European settlers established farms and small communities.✦
The transformation of the region began in the 1930s with the construction of Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River (completed in 1944), which created Kentucky Lake, displacing thousands and submerging towns like Gilbertsville and Birmingham. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River formed Lake Barkley, again forcing relocations, including larger towns such as Kuttawa and Eddyville.
1. Origins and Motivation (1920s–1930s)
The story of Kentucky Lake and the Land Between the Lakes begins in the early 20th century, rooted in the challenges faced by the Tennessee Valley region, particularly in western Kentucky and Tennessee. The Tennessee River, a major waterway, was prone to frequent and devastating floods, which disrupted communities, agriculture, and commerce. The Flood of 1937, a particularly destructive event, underscored the urgency for flood control. Additionally, much of the rural population in the region lacked access to electricity, a critical barrier to economic development during the Great Depression.
In response, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federal agency created in 1933 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, was tasked with addressing these issues through flood control, electrification, and economic development. The TVA’s mission was to modernize the region by constructing a series of dams along the Tennessee River and its tributaries to manage flooding, generate hydroelectric power, and improve navigation. Kentucky Lake was envisioned as a cornerstone of this ambitious plan, with the construction of Kentucky Dam as its centerpiece.
In the 1920s, local communities began advocating for a dam to address flooding. Initially, Aurora, Kentucky, was considered a potential site, but by 1937–38, the TVA selected Gilbertsville due to its more favorable geological conditions. Construction of the Kentucky Dam began on July 1, 1938, marking the start of a transformative project that would reshape the region.
2. Construction of Kentucky Dam and Creation of Kentucky Lake (1938–1945)
Kentucky Dam, the largest in the TVA system at 8,422 feet long, was a massive undertaking that took six years to complete, from 1938 to August 30, 1944, when the reservoir began to fill. The dam impounded the Tennessee River, creating Kentucky Lake, which stretches 184 miles from Gilbertsville, Kentucky, to Pickwick Dam in Tennessee. At its maximum normal operating level, Kentucky Lake covers 160,309 acres, with 2,064 miles of shoreline, making it the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River by surface area.
The creation of Kentucky Lake had profound impacts:
- Flood Control and Navigation: The dam’s strategic location, just 22 miles upstream from Paducah, Kentucky, where the Tennessee River joins the Ohio, allowed the TVA to regulate water flow, reducing flood risks on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. It also facilitated navigation by creating a 9-foot-deep channel for modern towboats and barges, linking the Tennessee Valley to a 21-state inland waterway system. Freight traffic grew from 2 million tons annually to over 31 million tons after the lake’s creation.
- Hydroelectric Power: Kentucky Dam became a major generator in the TVA’s power system, providing electricity to thousands of homes and businesses in a region previously underserved.
- Recreation: Kentucky Lake quickly became a recreational hub, attracting fishermen, boaters, and tourists with its vast waters and 48 public access areas, marinas, and state parks like Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Kenlake State Resort Park.
However, the creation of the lake came at a significant cost. Entire communities, most notably Birmingham, Kentucky, were flooded and submerged. Birmingham, a town of about 600 residents in 1929, had a rich history with schools, churches, and businesses. Unlike some towns like Eddyville and Kuttawa, which relocated to higher ground, Birmingham was not rebuilt, leaving behind an underwater ghost town. Remnants of foundations, streets, and bridges are still visible when lake levels are low, particularly at Birmingham Point.
The displacement of residents was a contentious issue. While some were willing to sell their land and relocate, others resisted, leading to the use of eminent domain to acquire properties. Roads, railroads, and infrastructure, including US Routes 62, 68, and 79, were also rerouted or submerged.
3. Creation of Lake Barkley and the Land Between the Lakes (1960s)
In the 1960s, the TVA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expanded their efforts to the nearby Cumberland River, constructing Barkley Dam, which was completed in 1966. This created Lake Barkley, named after Alben W. Barkley, a Kentucky politician and Vice President under Harry S. Truman. Lake Barkley, with a 1,000-mile shoreline, lies east of Kentucky Lake and is connected to it by a canal that does not require locks, as both lakes were designed to be at the same elevation. This canal transformed the area between the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers—previously known as “Between the Rivers”—into one of the largest inland peninsulas in the United States.
The TVA recognized the potential of this 171,280-acre peninsula to become a recreational and conservation area. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated it as the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, with development funded during the Johnson administration. The goal was to create a “multiple-use” area for recreation, education, and wildlife conservation, distinct from a national park in that it allowed activities like hunting. The area was initially managed by the TVA but was later transferred to the U.S. Forest Service.
The creation of LBL required further displacement of communities, including Golden Pond, Kentucky, and Tharpe and Model, Tennessee. Golden Pond, with about 200 residents in 1960, was a thriving community known for moonshining. By 1969, it was abolished, and its former site now hosts the LBL headquarters, a museum, a planetarium, and an environmental education area. Model’s remnants include an iron furnace from the 1850s, once operated by enslaved African-American workers. The use of eminent domain to acquire land was highly controversial, with many families reluctant to leave their homes, some for the second time due to earlier displacements from Kentucky Lake’s creation.
4. Development of Land Between the Lakes (1970s–Present)
Since its designation, LBL has been developed into a major recreational and educational destination, attracting approximately 1.5–2 million visitors annually. Key developments include:
- Elk and Bison Prairie: In the 1970s, the TVA conducted prescribed burns to restore native prairie patches, which had been overtaken by oak and hickory forests. The 700-acre Elk and Bison Prairie enclosure was established to reintroduce these historically native species, offering visitors a glimpse of Kentucky’s 19th-century landscape. A 3.5-mile paved loop allows viewing for a $5 fee per car.
- The Homeplace 1850s: This living history farm, also established in the 1970s, recreates mid-19th-century rural life with period-costumed staff, heirloom crops, and traditional agricultural techniques.
- Woodlands Nature Station: This attraction features rescued wildlife, including great horned owls, coyotes, and red wolves, and offers guided tours, sunset canoe trips, and educational programs.
- Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory: Located at the former site of Golden Pond, it provides educational shows, laser light displays, and “Star Parties” for stargazing.
- Trails and Recreation: LBL boasts 500 miles of trails, including 70 miles of mountain bike trails, 106 miles of horse trails, and water trails for paddling. The 2,500-acre Turkey Bay OHV Area caters to off-road vehicle enthusiasts. There are 1,400 campsites across four developed campgrounds, three primitive areas, and 14 backcountry sites, plus boat ramps and group lodges.
LBL was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991 for its conservation efforts, but was withdrawn from the program in June 2017 under the Trump administration.
5. Controversies and Human Impact
The creation of Kentucky Lake and LBL was not without a high human cost. The flooding of Birmingham and the relocation of communities like Golden Pond, Tharpe, and Model displaced thousands of families, some of whom faced relocation twice (first for Kentucky Lake, then for LBL). The use of eminent domain sparked outrage among many residents who felt their heritage and livelihoods were being erased. While some welcomed the opportunity to sell their land and move to less isolated areas, others mourned the loss of their communities, leaving behind cemeteries, homesites, and historical remnants that are still maintained by families and volunteers.
The transformation of “Between the Rivers” into LBL also altered the region’s cultural and historical landscape. Evidence of Native American settlements, dating back 8,000 years, and Civil War sites, like Fort Henry (built by the Confederacy in 1861 and captured by Union forces in 1862), were affected by flooding or incorporated into LBL’s historical exhibits. The area’s history, from prehistoric Indian mounds to 19th-century iron furnaces, is preserved in places like the Lyon County Museum and the Homeplace, but the loss of living communities remains a point of contention.
6. Current Status and Ongoing Developments (2025)
Today, Kentucky Lake and LBL remain vital recreational and economic assets. Kentucky Lake is a premier fishing destination, hosting professional tournaments and supporting species like largemouth bass, crappie, and invasive Asian carp, which pose environmental challenges. LBL continues to offer diverse activities, from hiking and biking to wildlife viewing and educational programs. Recent updates include:
- Infrastructure: Boat ramps are free for public use, though some, like Jones Creek, have faced temporary closures due to safety issues.
- Events: The Heritage Geocache Challenge launched in March 2025, encouraging exploration of LBL’s historical sites.
- Conservation: Efforts continue to manage native prairie restoration and wildlife populations, with over 240 bird species documented in LBL.
The region also supports nearby attractions, such as the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum at Birdsong Creek and cultural sites like the Lyon County Museum and the Murray Art Guild.
7. Expansion: Broader Context and Implications
- Environmental Impact: The creation of Kentucky Lake and LBL fundamentally altered the region’s ecosystem. While the dams provided flood control and power, they disrupted natural river flows and submerged fertile lands. The introduction of invasive species like Asian carp has further complicated ecological management. The restoration of native prairie and reintroduction of elk and bison reflect efforts to balance human intervention with conservation, but these initiatives cannot fully replicate the pre-dam ecosystem.
- Economic Transformation: The TVA’s projects turned a rural, flood-prone region into a recreational and economic hub, drawing millions of visitors and supporting local businesses. However, the loss of communities like Birmingham and Golden Pond highlights the trade-offs between development and cultural preservation. The shift from agriculture to tourism reshaped the region’s identity, with state parks and resorts now central to the economy.
- Social and Ethical Questions: The use of eminent domain raises ethical questions about balancing public good against individual rights. The displacement of families, some with deep generational ties to the land, underscores the human cost of large-scale infrastructure projects. The preservation of cemeteries and historical sites in LBL serves as a reminder of these losses, prompting reflection on how progress is defined and who bears its costs.
- Cultural Legacy: LBL’s attractions, like the Homeplace and the Woodlands Nature Station, aim to educate visitors about the region’s history and ecology. However, the narrative often focuses on recreation and conservation, potentially sidelining the stories of displaced communities. Efforts to maintain cemeteries and historical exhibits suggest a growing recognition of this legacy, but more could be done to amplify these voices.
- Modern Challenges: Climate change, invasive species, and infrastructure maintenance pose ongoing challenges. The TVA and U.S. Forest Service must balance recreational access with environmental stewardship, while addressing the needs of a diverse visitor base. The withdrawal from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve program in 2017 reflects shifting priorities, raising questions about LBL’s global conservation role.
While the TVA’s narrative emphasizes progress—flood control, electrification, and recreation—the story of Kentucky Lake and LBL is also one of loss and disruption. The official accounts often gloss over the resistance of displaced residents and the cultural erasure of communities like Birmingham and Golden Pond. By critically examining the sources, it’s clear that the benefits of these projects were unevenly distributed, with rural families bearing the brunt of relocation. The focus on recreation and tourism, while economically successful, risks overshadowing the region’s complex history. A deeper understanding requires acknowledging both the engineering triumphs and the human toll, ensuring that the stories of those displaced are not forgotten.
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