Cedar Creek Lake is a 784-acre lake located just outside of Stanford, Kentucky.  The total cost of this project was estimated at $8.9 million.  The lake has an average depth of 22 feet and a maximum depth of 60 feet.  The watershed consists of the following 45% agricultural, 35% woodland and 19% croplands, in all 1,600 acres of land were purchased by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The lake is unique in many respects.  It was designed with a 300-foot buffer zone surrounding the lake.  This buffer zone eliminates many of the problems related to other lakes with encroachment and private property.  In addition no private boat docks are located on the lake.

Sport fish populations at the lake consist primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish.  Other remnant fish populations were eradicated prior to the lake being filled.  This process eliminated undesirable fish species such as green sunfish, bullhead catfish and carp.  Removal of these species will reduce competition with the more desirable species that have been stocked in the lake.  The breakdown of the fish that were stocked are as follows: 2,500 10-inch and 15,000 5-inch largemouth bass, 20,000 3-inch black crappie, 180,000 1-inch bluegill, 120,000 1-inch sunfish, 8,000 9-inch and 30,000 1-inch channel catfish.  These stocked fish will grow very rapidly and will provide and immediate fishery.  The lake is closely monitored by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that fish populations are thriving.

During construction of the lake abundant habitat was ensured for all

species.  Many standing trees were left in the basin to provide structure and habitat for the lake.  Other artificial habitats were created as well such as dragging and anchoring trees along the shoreline, construction of spawning area for nest building species and placement of stake beds for additional habitat and structure.  The dedication of the Dam was in September of 2004 and the lake filled much quicker than anticipated providing and instant wildlife habitat and a great fishing lake.

This lake was designed as a fisher’s paradise.  Can you fathom going to the lake and not getting run over by Jet Ski’s, powerboats and water skiers? If this sounds great to you then Cedar Creek Lake is the place for you.

I would highly recommend if you have a GPS go check out these locations.  GPS coordinates are given in WGS 84.

Old U.S. 150 bridge 37 28' 49.5" N84 33' 12.0" W 

Submerged pond 37 28' 59.1" N84 32' 59.3" W 

Spawning bed 37 28' 42.9" N84 33' 07.9" W 

Spawning bed 37 28' 46.0" N84 33' 04.4" W 

Rock reef 37 28' 24.0" N84 33' 37.8" W   

Directions to the lake are as follows:

From Lexington take U.S. 27 south.  Then turn left on the U.S. 150 bypass in Stanford.  Turn right onto Boone Road just past Cedar Creek Dam then turn right at the stop sign to access the boat ramp.

From Somerset take U.S. 27 north.  Turn right on the U.S. 150 bypass in Stanford.  Turn right onto Boone Road just past Cedar Creek Dam then turn right at the stop sign to access the boat ramp.

 

Categories: Other
No Comments »

In 1972 the state of Kentucky enacted the Kentucky Wild Rivers Act to preserve the distinctive scenery, fish, wildlife, botanical, geological, and cultural character of the state’s wilderness.  Of Kentucky’s many streams and rivers, portions of nine of those rivers have been established as Wild Rivers.  To be classified as such, the river is described as being a linear corridor with the land on both sides of the river up to two thousand feet past the banks being included the corridor.  The total number of miles designated as Wild River is one hundred and fourteen miles with 26,382 acres of land.  One of those Wild Rivers is practically right outside my back door—the Rockcastle River, which begins in—no doubt, Rockcastle County.  It is a tributary of the Cumberland River.  The Rockcastle River has much offer the avid outdoors man or woman.  Whether it be canoeing, white water rafting, camping, swimming, or hiking—there is something for all. 

 

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a ride out Hwy 192 (accessible via 914 or 80) to the Rockcastle River.  It was a beautiful hot day—typical for July or August, not necessarily mid-May as it was.  The campers were camping, and we hikers were hiking!  We chose to hike to Bee Rock which overlooks the Rockcastle River—you can see for miles up there!  The story behind the name is that the cliff used to be hollow and became so engrossed with honey bees that it blocked out the sun.  Some local beekeepers determined to reclaim there livelihood used dynamite to blast the bees.  The dynamite destroyed Bee Rock—the tale goes on to say that there was so much honey it flowed into the river.  The area has been a great escape for hundreds of years.

The trail up to the top of Bee Rock (or what is left of it) winds up and through the woods.  At one point I thought I had made a wrong turn when we came upon what I thought was a cave.  It was actually rock overhang with a humungous rock leaning up against it creating the appearance of a cave.  During the wet season or after a good rain, stream trickles down into the overhang and on down to the Rockcastle River.  The trail winds around and all of a sudden it is very sunny with tons of lush greenery—the first thing I noticed was all of the ferns!  They were huge!   There are steps made of logs going down into the overhang—it is really cool down there.  A great place to stop, catch your breath, and cool down.  At this point you are almost there; the trail continues to meander up and around the jeep size boulders and cliffs.  Finally at the top the trail splits, if you want to see the overlook at Bee Rock turn left.  Since it is spring there were some glorious flowers along side the ridge top trail—and it is very sunny up there!  It was so warm that day I felt like I could pull out my marshmallows and make smores by holding a stick and touching the sun. 

From on top of the world—Bee Rock, the Rockcastle River is visible until it winds out of sight between the hills in both directions.  Directly below the lookout is the walking bridge and to the right the driving bridge.  The day we hiked some of the campers had set up all of the gear needed for having a mini-concert.  We could hear them from Bee Rock they sounded good even if they were just piddling around.  The hike took approximately thirty minutes up with a couple stops to catch our breath and only fifteen to get down.  I would highly recommend this hike—the scenery all along the trail is spectacular then the view at the top is breathtaking literally.  Be prepared to get out of breath—I thought I was in decent shape but this was a tough one.  Click here for Pictures of Bee Rock

Categories: Hiking
No Comments »