Cedar Creek Lake
Cedar Creek Lake project represents a "model"
project of cooperation between the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources, the Kentucky Department of Transportation, and the Lincoln County
Fiscal Court to create a 784-acre lake in Lincoln County. The construction of
Cedar Creek Lake, located 5 miles southwest of Stanford, Kentucky was conceived
in the 1980’s as part of the planning of the new U. S. Route 150 road
alignment by the Kentucky Department of Transportation. Dam construction cost of
$4 million was provided by the Kentucky Department of Transportation ($3.5
million) and Lincoln County ($0.5 million). The Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources agreed to pay for purchase of all land needed to complete the project
($4.1 million) and build three boat ramps, parking facilities, and courtesy
docks ($300,000). The total cost of this cooperative project is estimated at
nearly $8.5 million. Federal funds used by the Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources were provided by Sport Fish Restoration Funds – a user tax on
fishing equipment and motorboat fuels.
Cedar Creek Lake will impound 784 acres of the 14,000-acre
Cedar Creek Watershed. The lake will have an average depth of 22 feet and a
maximum depth of 60 feet. The watershed is primarily agricultural with 45%
consisting of pastureland, 35% woodland, and 19% cropland. In all, nearly 1,600
acres of land were purchased by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to
complete the project. The lake is unique in many respects. It was designed with
a 300-ft buffer zone surrounding the lake. This larger than normal buffer zone
will eliminate many of the private land encroachment problems that have been
prevalent on many other small lakes. In addition, no private boat docks will be
permitted on the lake. Together, the large buffer zone and the lack of boat
docks will improve the outdoor experience of those using Cedar Creek Lake. A
marina site has been designated for Lincoln County to later develop.
Cedar Creek Lake will provide a major stimulus to the
local economy. Angler use at the lake is estimated at 48 trips per acre or
37,600 trips per year. This use is expected to generate at least $749,000 per
year for trip-related expenditures and $1,870,600 per year for total fishing
related expenditures. Boat and angler access to the lake will be provided by
three boat ramps with a ramp located in the lower, mid, and upper portions of
the lake.
Sport fish populations at the lake will consist primarily
of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, and channel
catfish. Prior to filling the lake and stocking, remnant fish populations in the
stream will be eradicated. This procedure will eliminate undesirable fish
species such as green sunfish, bullhead catfish, and carp. Removal of these
species will reduce competition with the more desirable sport fish that will be
stocked as the lake begins to fill. In all, 2,500 10-inch and 15,000 5-inch
largemouth bass, 20,000 3-in black crappie, 180,000 1-inch bluegill, 120,000
1-inch redear sunfish, and 8,000 9-inch and 30,000 1-inch channel catfish will
be stocked. These stocked fish will grow rapidly and provide for an immediate
fishery. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will closely
monitor fish populations to insure that viable and high quality fisheries
develop at the lake.
Cedar Creek Lake will have an abundance of habitat present
for the newly stocked sport fish. The abundant habitat present occurred as a
result of pre impoundment planning and construction. Large amounts of standing
trees were left in the basin to provide important fish habitat and structure. In
addition, a $6,000 FishAmerica Grant provided funds for a cooperative project
between the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the newly
created Cedar Creek Sportsman Club to add additional habitat and structures to
the lake. This additional work included dragging and anchoring trees along
shoreline areas, construction of spawning areas for nest building species, and
placement of stake beds for additional habitat and structure
in selected areas.
The Cedar Creek Lake project is the result of a multitude
of different organizations working together with many local landowners. The
level of cooperation, planning, and on-the-ground effort by all organizations
and individuals working on this project is unprecedented. Please protect and
enjoy this one-of-a-kind public resource!
