Carr Creek Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carr Creek Lake |
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 Carr Creek Lake
Location in Kentucky
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| Location | Knott County, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37°14′06″N 83°00′11″W / 37.235°N 83.003°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 710 acres (3 km2) |
Carr Creek Lake is a beautiful lake in Knott County, Kentucky. It's located east of Hazard, Kentucky, right along Kentucky Route 15. This lake used to be called Carr Fork Lake. It's not a natural lake, but a special kind of lake called a reservoir. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake built to store water.
Carr Creek Lake was created in 1976 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a group of engineers from the U.S. Army who build things like dams and waterways to help manage water resources. They built a large dam to create this lake. The dam is made of earth and rock. It stands about 130 feet (40 meters) tall and stretches 720 feet (219 meters) long. The dam is located on the Carr Fork River, which flows into the North Fork Kentucky River.
The lake covers about 710 acres (2.9 square kilometers) of water. It's a popular spot for outdoor fun and is the main attraction of Carr Creek State Park.
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What is Carr Creek Lake?
Carr Creek Lake is a man-made lake, also known as a reservoir. It was built to help control floods and provide water for the area. The lake is formed by a large dam that holds back the water from the Carr Fork River.
How the Lake Was Formed
The United States Army Corps of Engineers built the dam that created Carr Creek Lake. Their job is to plan, design, and build projects that help manage water. This includes things like flood control, navigation, and environmental protection. They finished building the dam in 1976.
The dam itself is very strong. It's made from a mix of earth and rocks. It's quite tall, reaching about 130 feet (40 meters) high, and very long, stretching 720 feet (219 meters) across. This structure helps to hold back the water and create the large lake we see today.
Where is Carr Creek Lake?
Carr Creek Lake is found in eastern Kentucky. It's specifically located in Knott County. If you're driving on Kentucky Route 15, you'll find it just east of the city of Hazard, Kentucky. The lake gets its water from the Carr Fork River, which is a smaller river that flows into the larger North Fork Kentucky River.
Fun at Carr Creek Lake
Carr Creek Lake is a great place for people to visit and enjoy the outdoors. It's the main feature of Carr Creek State Park, which offers many activities for families and friends.
Activities at the Lake
Visitors to Carr Creek Lake can enjoy many different activities. These often include:
- Boating: You can take your boat out on the water and explore the lake.
- Fishing: The lake is home to various types of fish, making it a popular spot for fishing.
- Swimming: On hot days, many people enjoy swimming in the lake's cool waters.
- Picnics: There are often picnic areas around the lake where families can have outdoor meals.
- Hiking: Trails near the lake offer chances to walk and enjoy nature.
The lake and the state park work together to provide a fun and safe environment for everyone. It's a wonderful example of how a man-made lake can also become a natural playground.
Images for kids
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Control tower at Carr Creek Dam
