As the 2023 recreation season approaches, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, has announced significant changes to several Corps-managed day-use recreational areas and campgrounds.
As per the USACE press release, flash flooding in July 2022 caused extensive damage to popular recreational spots like Buckhorn Lake and Carr Creek Lake, and additional cleanup and reconstruction efforts are still underway.
Despite the tireless efforts of the Corps and local communities, many areas, such as the Littcarr Campground at Carr Creek Lake, remain inaccessible and unusable. The flash flood destroyed crucial infrastructure like tollhouses, bathhouses, and water and sewage distribution systems, and funding for repairs is still being secured.
“We recognize how important these facilities are to not only the local community but also to visitors who travel from afar to enjoy our lakes in Eastern Kentucky,” said Waylon Humphrey, Chief, Operations Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District.
“It is our sincere hope that we can perform these much-needed cleanup and reconstruction efforts and open these areas back up as soon as possible.”
In light of the ongoing repairs, visitors will not be able to make campground reservations on Recreation.gov for areas that are not listed as open for the 2023 season unless otherwise announced.
The release noted that some facilities, such as marinas and campgrounds, are operated by other organizations, such as Carr Creek Lake State Park and Buckhorn State Park. The public is encouraged to contact these agencies and marinas directly for the most up-to-date information on their operating status.
As the region continues to recover from the devastating flood, it is important to keep in mind the impact it has had on the local community and the efforts being made to restore these beloved recreational areas. While some facilities may be closed for the time being, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working tirelessly to ensure that these areas will once again be open for all to enjoy in the future.
