Barren River Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barren River Lake |
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View from Barren River Lake State Resort Park
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 Barren River Lake
Location in Kentucky
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| Location | Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 36°53′35″N 86°7′30″W / 36.89306°N 86.12500°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Barren River |
| Primary outflows | Barren River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 10,100 acres (41 km2) |
| Islands | 3 |
Barren River Lake is a huge lake in Kentucky. It was created by people in 1964. This lake is actually a reservoir, which means it's a large, artificial lake used to store water. It covers about 10,100 acres (or 40.87 square kilometers) of land. The lake helps control floods and is a fun place for many activities. It stretches across parts of Allen, Barren, and Monroe counties.
Contents
Discover Barren River Lake
How Barren River Lake Was Made
Barren River Lake was formed in 1964. It was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They built a large dam across the Barren River. This process is called "impounding" the river. It means they stopped the river's flow to create the big lake.
The Barren River Lake Dam
The Barren River Lake Dam is a very important part of the lake. It is an "earthen dam," which means it's built mostly from earth and rock. The dam is 146 feet (about 44 meters) tall. It is also very long, stretching 3,970 feet (about 1,210 meters) across.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes care of the dam. They make sure it works properly and protects the area around the lake. A small part of the land near the lake is used by the Barren River Lake State Resort Park. This park is a great place for visitors to enjoy the lake.
Exploring the Islands of Barren River Lake
Barren River Lake has three main islands. These islands add to the beauty and fun of the lake.
In the widest part of the lake, you can find two large islands. Each of these islands is about one square mile in size. There is also a smaller island located near the main boat ramp and campsite.
Sometimes, there's another area that can be an island or connected to the land. It depends on how high the water level is in the lake. When the water is high, it becomes a separate island.
