544 Lake Road.
Campbellsville, Kentucky 42718
(270) 465-4463
Office hours: Mon. - Sun., 7:30 am - 5 p.m. (may vary, call ahead)
Daily Lake Information Line: (270) 465-8824 (updated daily)
Lake Levels
Lake Temperatures
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Location
Green River Lake is situated in Adair and Taylor counties, lying amidst rolling terrain, steep bluffs and flowing streams in the section of Kentucky known as the Highland Rim. The dam, located on the Green River, is an 11 mile drive from the cities of Campbellsville and Columbia, and less than 100 miles from Louisville and Lexington.
Authorization
The Green River Lake Project was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1938. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started construction in April 1964, and the lake was completed in June 1969. In addition to flood protection, recreation and natural resources management are authorized for this Project.
History
The Corps operates the lake primarily for flood control in the Upper Green River watershed and forms an integral unit in the comprehensive plan for flood control for the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The lake’s dam is located 305.7 miles above the mouth of the Green River and 26 miles upstream from Greensburg, Ky.
The Corps keeps the lake at a low level (winter pool) during fall and winter months, when excessive rainfall is likely. The lake can retain surface water runoff should heavy rains occur, until the swollen streams and rivers below the dam recede and can handle the release of stored water without threatening lives or property.
Green River Lake is the largest project in the Louisville District, counting both the land and water acreage (33,793 acres). The Corps, in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, manages the land and water for wildlife, fisheries and recreation. Green River Lake provides immeasurable benefits to the local economy through flood protection and recreation.
The 8,210 acre Green River Lake and surrounding area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, to include campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic shelters, beaches and a Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is a must see facility and is at the heart of Green River Lake. Located close to the Dam, the Green River Lake Visitor Center was built in 1972 as the US Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District’s first Interpretive Center and was upgraded in 1978 to house the Corps Office staff. Today, the Visitor Center is a big attraction to tourists, locals and school groups due to its educational exhibits and helpful staff.
Project Benefits
Green River Lake has prevented over $195 million in flood damages since impoundment, and in fiscal year 2019 alone the lake generated approximately $40.67 million in visitor expenditures.
Prior records:
FY2019
Flood Damages prevention - $195.96 million (total to date)
Visitor Expenditures - $40.67 million
FY2016
Flood Damages prevention - $182.20 million (total to date)
FY2015
Flood Damages prevention - $172.45 million (total to date)
Project Facts