US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Dale Hollow Lake Master Plan Revision DRAFT January 2019

Draft Version 1 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Dale Hollow Lake Master Plan Revision Commonly Used Acronyms and Abbreviations ADD – Area Development District of Engineers ARPA – Archeological Resources Protection LRN – Nashville District Act LTC – Lieutenant Colonel cfs – Cubic Feet per Second MFR – Memorandum for Record COL – Colonel MOU – Memorandum of Understanding CRM – Cumberland River Mile MP – Master Plan CW – Civil Works MR – Multiple Resource Management Lands CWA – Clean Water Act, 1977 MRLC – Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics DA – Department of Army Consortium DE – District Engineer/ Division Engineer MSD – Marine Sanitation Device DM – Design Manual MSL/msl – Mean Sea Level (based on the DO – Dissolved Oxygen National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929) DoD – Department of Defense MW – Megawatt DQC – District Quality Control NAGPRA – Native American Graves and dsf- Day Second Feet Repatriation Act EA – Environmental Assessment NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act EAB – Emerald Ash Borer NHPA – National Historic Preservation Act EC – Engineering Circular NRHP – National Register of Historic Places EDW – Enterprise Data Warehouse NRRS – National Recreation Reservation EIS – Environmental Impact Statement System EM – Engineering Memorandum NTE – Not to Exceed EO – Executive Order NVCS – National Vegetation Classification EOPs – Environmental Operating Principles Standard EP – Engineering Pamphlet NWI – National Wetlands Inventory EPA – Environmental Protection Agency NWS – National Weather Service EQ – Environmental Quality O&M – Operations and Maintenance ER – Engineering Regulation OC – Office of Counsel ERDC – Engineering Research & Design Center OMBIL – Operations & Maintenance Business ESA – Endangered Species Act/ Information Link Environmentally Sensitive Area OMP – Operational Management Plan FONSI - Finding of No Significant Impact PAC – Primary Area Counties FY – Fiscal Year PDT – Project Delivery Team GIS - Geographic Information Systems PL – Public Law GPS – Global Positioning System PM – Project Manager/Management H&H – Hydrology and Hydraulics PMP – Project Management Plan HABS – Harmful Algal Blooms POC – Point of Contact HQUSACE – Headquarters, U. S. Army Corps Project – The lands and waters administered

Draft Version 2 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

by the Corps of Engineers QA/QC – Quality Assurance / Quality Control REAL – Recreation Excellence at Army Lakes REAS – Recreation Economics Assessment System REC – Recreation REMIS – Real Estate Management Information System SCORP – State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan SHPO – State Historic Preservation Office SME – Subject Matter Expert SMP – Shoreline Management Plan SOP – Standard Operating Procedure SOW – Scope of Work T&ES – Threatened and Endangered Species TDEC – Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation TDNA – Tennessee Department of Natural Areas TSU – Tennessee State University TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority TWRA – Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency UAS – Unmanned Aerial Systems USACE – U. S. Army Corps of Engineers USC – United States Code USFWS – United States Fish and Wildlife Service WMA – Wildlife Management Area WQ – Water Quality WRDA/WRRDA– Water Resources Development Act

Draft Version - 3

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction ...... 12 Project Authorization ...... 12 Project Purpose ...... 12 Purpose and Scope of the Master Plan ...... 13 Brief Watershed and Project Description ...... 14 List of Prior Master Plans and Related Documents ...... 15 List of Pertinent Project Information ...... 15 Chapter 2 Project Setting ...... 16 History of the Dale Hollow Lake Project ...... 16 Project Authorization and Factors Influencing Management and Development ...... 17 Hydrology ...... 18 Sedimentation and Shoreline Erosion ...... 20 Water Quality ...... 21 Climate ...... 23 Topography ...... 24 Physical Geography ...... 26 Geology ...... 26 2-09.A Regional Geology ...... 27 2-09.B Bedrock Description ...... 30 2-09.C Karst Development ...... 33 Soils ...... 36 2-10.A Soil Associations of the Project Area ...... 36 2-10.B Description of the Major Soil Series ...... 40 Resource Analysis – Level One Inventory Data ...... 44 2-11.A Fish and Wildlife Resources ...... 44 2-11.B Vegetative Resources ...... 45 2-11.C Threatened & Endangered Species ...... 50 2-11.D Invasive Species ...... 54

Draft Version - 4

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

2-11.E Ecological Setting ...... 58 2-11.F Wetlands ...... 62 Cultural Resources ...... 62 Socioeconomics ...... 63 2-13.A Demographics ...... 63 2-13.B Economics ...... 67 Recreation Facilities, Activities and Needs ...... 73 2-14.A Zones of Influence...... 73 2-14.B Visitation Profile ...... 75 2-14.C Recreation Analysis ...... 77 2-14.D Recreational Carrying Capacity ...... 78 Project Access ...... 79 Real Estate Acquisition Policy ...... 80 Applicable Public Laws ...... 80 2-17.A RECREATION AUTHORITIES ...... 80 2-17.B REAL ESTATE AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING USE FEES ...... 82 2-17.C CIVIL WORKS ...... 83 2-17.D ACCESS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ...... 83 2-17.E ENVIRONMENTAL ...... 83 2-17.F FISH AND WILDLIFE ...... 84 2-17.G FOREST RESOURCES ...... 84 2-17.H CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES ...... 84 2-17.I OTHER CULTURAL AND HISTORIC LAWS ...... 85 Chapter 3 Resource Objectives and Goals ...... 86 Primary Goals ...... 86 Resource Objectives ...... 86 3-02.A Recreational Objectives ...... 87 3-02.B Natural Resource Management Objectives ...... 87 3-02.C Cultural Resource Objectives ...... 87 3-02.D Economic Impact Objectives ...... 88

Draft Version - 5

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Environmental Operating Principles ...... 88 Chapter 4 Land Allocation, Classification, Water Surface and Project Easement Lands ...... 90 Land Allocation ...... 90 Land and Water Classification...... 90 4-02.A Project Operations ...... 91 4-02.B High Density Recreation ...... 91 4-02.C Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...... 91 4-02.D Multiple Resource Management Lands ...... 92 4-02.E Water Surface...... 93 Project Easement Lands (Flowage Easement) ...... 94 Chapter 5 Resource Plan ...... 97 Project Operations Areas Project Operations Areas ...... 97 High Density Recreation...... 97 5-02.A Campgrounds and Recreation Areas ...... 97 5-02.B Commercial Concession Marinas and Resorts ...... 107 5-02.C State Parks and Other Federal Agency Facilities...... 111 5-02.D Quasi-Public Areas ...... 112 Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...... 113 5-03.A Environmentally Sensitive Islands, Not Labeled ...... 114 5-03.B Horse Creek, Site No. 601 ...... 114 5-03.C Swann Ridge, Site No. 602 ...... 115 5-03.D Fox Springs, Site No. 603 ...... 115 5-03.E Colson Creek, Site No. 604 ...... 115 5-03.F Rock House, Site No. 605 ...... 115 5-03.G Pine Island, Site No. 606 ...... 116 5-03.H Rock Springs, Site No. 607 ...... 116 5-03.I Pusley Ridge, Site No. 608 ...... 116 5-03.J Boom Ridge, Site No. 609 ...... 116 5-03.K Wolf River, Site No. 610 ...... 117 Multiple Resource Management ...... 117

Draft Version - 6

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

5-04.A Low Density Recreation Areas ...... 117 5-04.B Wildlife Management Lands ...... 119 5-04.C Future/Inactive Recreation Areas ...... 120 Chapter 6 Special Topics/Issues/Considerations ...... 122 Floating Cabins ...... 122 Aging Infrastructure ...... 122 Partnerships ...... 122 Federal Funding ...... 123 Water Safety ...... 123 Tree Vandalism ...... 124 Cultural Resource Vandalism ...... 125 Metal Detecting ...... 126 User Fees – Entrance, Launching, and Parking Fees ...... 126 Boundary Line Disputes ...... 126 Marine Sanitation Environmental Compliance ...... 127 Clean Marina Program ...... 128 Nashville District Guidelines and Policy for Cut and Fill Proposals ...... 129 American Bald Eagle ...... 130 Guidelines for Issuance of Outgrants ...... 130 Smallmouth Bass Fisheries ...... 131 Paddlesports ...... 131 Primitive Camping Program ...... 132 Accordion Bluff Trail ...... 132 Reciprocal Fishing Area on Wolf River ...... 132 Drones ...... 133 Mineral Exclusion and Extraction...... 133 Chapter 7 Agency and Public Coordination ...... 134 Minutes from Stakeholder Meeting, April 2018 ...... 134 Stakeholder Engagement ...... 138 Chapter 8 Summary of Recommendations ...... 139

Draft Version - 7

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Summary of Classification Changes ...... 139 Significant Changes in the Revision of the Master Plan ...... 145 Chapter 9 Bibliography ...... 148 Sources ...... 148 Chapter 10 Appendixes ...... 151 Summary of Stakeholder Comments ...... 151 Summary of Public Comments ...... 151 Classification Maps and Plates ...... 151 NEPA Documents ...... 151

Draft Version - 8

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Table of Figures

Figure 1-1 - Dale Hollow Dam Project ...... 12 Figure 1-2 - The Cumberland River Basin ...... 14 Figure 2-1 - Map of Dale Hollow LakeDescription of the Reservoir and Navigation Pool ...... 17 Figure 2-2 – Average Monthly Inflows ...... 20 Figure 2-3 - Dale Hollow Project Water Quality Sampling LocationsClimate ...... 23 Figure 2-4 - Aerial View of Dale Hollow Dam looking upstream, with the Eastern Highland Rim Physiographic Region in background (2014). Note rolling, grassed plateaus and narrow forested stream valleys in the distance ...... 25 Figure 2-5 - Typical Natural Topography along the pool area at Dale Hollow Dam, looking upstream (2018)...... 26 Figure 2-6 - Physiographic Provinces of Tennessee, from the Tennessee Geological Survey...... 26 Figure 2-7 - Geologic Map of Tennessee, from the Tennessee Geological Survey...... 28 Figure 2-8 - Geologic Map of Dale Hollow Lake within Kentucky, with Legend (Kentucky Geological Survey)...... 30 Figure 2-9 - Geologic Map of Project Area, taken from the Geologic Map of the Dale Hollow Dam (Tennessee Geological Survey)...... 31 Figure 2-10 - Limestone of the Leipers Formation along shoreline, near right upstream abutment of Dale Hollow Dam. Note solution-enlarged bedding planes and cavities...... 33 Figure 2-11 - Geologic Cross-Section under Dale Hollow Dam (shown in gray)...... 34 Figure 2-12 - Karst Protection Areas around Dale Hollow Dam ...... 35 Figure 2-13 - General Soil Map (Data Source: August 2018 Data from NRCS Web Soil Survey) ...... 37 Figure 2-14 - The Garmon-Newbern General Soil Map Unit (2004 Soil Survey Report)...... 39 Figure 2-15 - Typical Forest Types at Dale Hollow Lake...... 47 Figure 2-16 - Vegetation Classification Acreage Records for Dale Hollow Lake, as designated by the National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) ...... 48 Figure 2-17 - Ecoregions in the Dale Hollow Area, Dale Hollow Lake falling in Ecoregion 71g ...... 61 Figure 2-18 - Distances (miles) as the crow flies from Dale Hollow Lake ...... 73 Figure 2-19 - Density of visitor home zip codes from customer comment surveys ...... 74 Figure 2-20 - Campground Total Percent Usage (Days Available/Days Occupied) by Fiscal Year for Dale Hollow Damsite and Obey River Campgrounds ...... 76 Figure 2-21 - Campground Total Percent Usage (Days Available/Days Occupied) by Fiscal Year for Lillydale and Willow Grove Campgrounds ...... 76 Figure 4-1 - Dale Hollow Lake Classification Map ...... 95 Figure 4-2 - Dale Hollow Lake Site Classification Key (Corresponds with Classification Map) ...... 96 Figure 5-1 - Swinging Bridge at Pleasant Grove Recreation Area ...... 99 Figure 5-2 - Willow Grove Campground ...... 102 Figure 5-3 - Before (left) and after (right) Pine Beetle damage at Lillydale Campground ...... 104

Draft Version - 9

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 5-4 - Playground at Obey River Campground ...... 107 Figure 5-5 – Dale Hollow Lake State Park Resort ...... 112

Draft Version - 10

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Table of Tables

Table 2.1 - Project Statistics ...... 16 Table 2.2 - Six hour surface runoff unit hydrograph ...... 19 Table 2.3 - Six hour baseflow unit hydrograph ...... 19 Table 2.4 - Characteristics of Permeability ...... 40 Table 2.5 - The Engineering Evaluation of Land Use and Management (Data Source: August 2018 Data from NRCS Web Soil Survey) ...... 42 Table 2.6 - Current Vegetation Composition at Dale Hollow Lake ...... 46 Table 2.7 - Definitions of NVCS classifications ...... 48 Table 2.8 - Vegetation Condition Descriptions ...... 49 Table 2.9 - Federally listed species recorded in the Dale Hollow Lake area ...... 50 Table 2.10 - State listed species recorded in the Dale Hollow Lake area (Tennessee) ...... 52 Table 2.11 – Rare plant species listed in Kentucky ...... 53 Table 2.12 - List of common invasive exotic pest plants in Tennessee ...... 57 Table 2.13 - Acres of Wetlands by Wetland Classification Type on Dale Hollow Lake ...... 62 Table 2.14 - Historic and projected populations for the Primary Area Counties ...... 64 Table 2.15 - Primary city population data ...... 64 Table 2.16 - Proportion of urban and rural populations, 2016...... 65 Table 2.17 - Primary area county population diversity ...... 65 Table 2.18 - Primary area county median age ...... 66 Table 2.19 - Primary area county education level (percentage of people 25 years or older) ...... 67 Table 2.20 - Clay County, TN 2016 employment percentages by major industry ...... 67 Table 2.21 - Overton County, Tennessee 2016 employment percentages by major industry ...... 68 Table 2.22 - Pickett County, Tennessee 2016 employment percentages by major industry ...... 69 Table 2.23 - Clinton County, KY 2016 employment percentages by major industry ...... 70 Table 2.24 - Cumberland County, KY 2016 employment percentages by major industry ...... 70 Table 2.25 - Primary area county historic unemployment rates ...... 71 Table 2.26 - Primary area county median annual income ...... 72 Table 2.27 - Visitation at Dale Hollow Lake by Fiscal Year ...... 75 Table 4.1 - Land Classification approximate acreage based on GIS calculations ...... 92 Table 4.2 - Water Surface Classification approximate acreage based on GIS calculations ...... 94 Table 5.1 - Low Density Access Areas ...... 119 Table 8.1 - Comparison of Land Classification Acreage ...... 145

Draft Version - 11

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 1 Introduction

Figure 1-1 - Dale Hollow Dam Project

Project Authorization

The Dale Hollow Lake Project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 (Public Law 761, 75th Congress, 3rd Session) and the River and Harbors Act of 1946 (Public Law 525, 79th Congress, 2nd Session). Additional operating purposes that were subsequently authorized include: recreation (PL 78-534, Flood Control Act of 1944), fish and wildlife (PL 85-624, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958), water quality (PL 92-500, Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972), and water supply (PL 85-500, Water Supply Act of 1958).

Project Purpose

The primary authorized purposes for Dale Hollow Dam and Lake include flood control (flood damage reduction) and the production of hydroelectric power. Although recreation was not originally an authorized function of this project, lands were acquired and recreation facilities

Draft Version - 12

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

constructed to assure unencumbered access to the lake for the general public. Today the resources of Dale Hollow Lake are managed to not only provide recreation but also to improve fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality and provide water supply for surrounding municipalities.

Purpose and Scope of the Master Plan

This revised Master Plan replaces the 1976 Master Plan for Development and Management of Dale Hollow Lake. In accordance with Engineering Regulation (ER) 1130-2-550 and ER 1130-2-540 and their corresponding Engineering Pamphlets (EP’s), the Master Plan describes in detail how all project lands, waters, forests, and other resources will be conserved, enhanced, developed, managed, and used in the public interest throughout the life of the project. The plan includes recommendations as to the optimum location and design of recreation facilities, taking into consideration a variety of elements, such as the natural and cultural environment, economic feasibility, projected recreation demand and future operation and management capabilities.

The Master Plan (MP) guides and articulates Corps responsibilities pursuant to federal laws to preserve, conserve, restore, maintain, manage and develop the project lands, waters, and associated resources. The MP deals in concepts, not in details, of design or administration. Detailed management and administration functions are addressed in the Operational Management Plan (OMP), which implements the concepts of the Master Plan into operational actions.

The MP is developed and kept current for Civil Works Projects operated and maintained by the Corps and will include all land and waters (fee, easements or other interests) originally acquired for the projects and any subsequent land (fee, easements or other interests) acquired to support the operations and authorized missions of the project. The Master Plan is not intended to address the specifics of regional water quality, shoreline management or water level management; these areas are covered in a project’s OMP.

Draft Version - 13

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Brief Watershed and Project Description

Figure 1-2 - The Cumberland River Basin

The Cumberland River is one of the major tributaries of the Ohio River. The source of the Cumberland River is located at the junction of the Poor, Martins Fork, and Clover Fork Rivers near the City of Harlan, Kentucky. From Harlan, the Cumberland River meanders southwesterly through the City of Nashville, Tennessee. From Nashville, the river flows in a northwesterly direction to Smithland, Kentucky where it joins the Ohio River.

The Cumberland River Basin, depicted in Figure 1-2, contains 17,598 square miles of land and water area. The Cumberland River drops more than 800 vertical feet in its course from Harlan, Kentucky, to the Ohio River. There are five existing multipurpose Projects on the main stem of the Cumberland River which include Barkley, Cheatham, Old Hickory, Cordell Hull, and Wolf Creek (Lake Cumberland). The tributary projects of the Cumberland River System are Martins Fork, Laurel River, Dale Hollow, Center Hill and J. Percy Priest.

Draft Version - 14

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake is located approximately three miles east of Celina, Tennessee on the Obey River, 7.3 miles above its juncture with the Cumberland River at river mile 380.0. The Dale Hollow Lake impoundment lies in Clay, Pickett, Overton, and Fentress Counties in Tennessee and Cumberland and Clinton counties in Kentucky. The lake extends 61 river miles from Dale Hollow Dam into the East Fork of the Obey River in Fentress County, Tennessee. At elevation 663 AMSL, the surface pool contains 620 miles of shoreline with a local, uncontrolled drainage area of 935 square miles.

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake is considered a “flood control” lake which experiences annual average pool fluctuations of 14 feet with the potential fluctuation, during flood periods, of 32 feet. The entire Project area encompasses a total of 52,542 acres of fee property (land and water) and 89 acres of flowage easement. With a conservation power pool elevation of 631 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), Dale Hollow Lake has a surface area of 21,880 acres, with a maximum power pool (summer pool) elevation of 651 feet AMSL Dale Hollow Lake has a surface area of 27,700 acres and at maximum pool 663 feet AMSL, the surface area of the lake increases to 30,990 acre feet. The total flood control storage for Dale Hollow Lake is 30,990 acres. The guideline for the acquisition of lands at Dale Hollow Lake was predicted to include all land upstream from the dam lying below elevation 663 feet AMSL.

List of Prior Master Plans and Related Documents

This document serves as the current Master Plan for Dale Hollow Lake. The following is a list of all prior Master Plans and related documents.

• Original Master Plan – Signed July 1946 • Full Master Plan Revision – Signed July 1956 • Full Master Plan Revision – Signed June 1977 • Partial Master Plan Revision – Signed February 1991

List of Pertinent Project Information

This revision of the Master Plan is focused on management of land and water surface related to the project purposes of outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship and natural and cultural resources. However, the following information about primary project facilities is provided to aid in understanding how all Project purposes are interrelated.

Draft Version - 15

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 2 Project Setting

History of the Dale Hollow Lake Project

Dale Hollow Dam was authorized for construction by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1946. Construction of Dale Hollow Dam was initiated in March 1942 along with Center Hill Dam and Wolf Creek Dam. However the Corps suspended work on Center Hill and Wolf Creek during World War II. Since Dale Hollow Dam was further along in construction, the dam was rushed to completion in October 1943, but construction of the powerhouse was discontinued. The lake was fully impounded May 7, 1944. Construction of the powerhouse resumed July 1946 and three Francis turbines aggregating 54,000-kilowatt capacity were installed in December 1948, January 1949, and November 1953, respectively.

Table 2.1 - Project Statistics

Land Base Total Fee Property 24,753 acres Total Easement Property 89 acres Shoreline Miles 620 miles Pool Backwater Length (Dale Hollow Dam to East Fork of 61 miles the Obey River) Maximum Pool Elevation (663 feet AMSL) 30,990 acres Minimum Pool Elevation (631 feet AMSL) 21,880 acres Normal Pool Elevation (651 feet AMSL) 27,700 acres Total Storage Capacity (663 feet AMSL) 1,706,000 acre-feet Dale Hollow Dam Type Concrete-gravity Height (above lowest foundation) 200 feet Total Length 1,717 feet Spillway Section (crest gates) Gates 6 -Tainter Gate Size (width X height) 12 feet X 60 feet Discharge Capacity at Max Pool (663 feet AMSL) 166,000 cfs Power Plant (Installation) 54,000 kw in 3 units Rating each generator 18,000 kw Estimated energy output yearly average 127,000,000 kwh

Draft Version - 16

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake Project Authorization and Factors Influencing Management and Development

Figure 2-1 - Map of Dale Hollow LakeDescription of the Reservoir and Navigation Pool

Dale Hollow Dam was authorized by congress with the Flood Control act of 1938. Construction of the project, designed and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, began in March 1942. Impoundment was achieved in May 1944 and the three hydropower units were in service in December 1948, January 1949, and November 1953 respectively. The dam is located at Obey River mile 7.3, 7.3 miles above the confluence with the Cumberland River at mile 380.9 near Celina, TN. Primary authorized purposes include flood control and hydropower. Additional operating purposes include recreation, fish and wildlife, water quality, and water supply.

Dale Hollow Dam is a concrete gravity dam with a total length of 1,717 feet. The spillway section is 400 feet, power section is 255 feet, left side non-overflow section is 432 feet, and right side non-

Draft Version - 17 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

overflow section is 630 feet. Dale Hollow Dam is outfitted with six tainter gates on a concrete gravity ogee spillway with a spillway crest at elevation 651.0. The spillway has a bucket stilling basin. The effective spillway width is 360 feet (six gates, 60 feet wide each) and each gate is 12 feet high. The spillway design discharge is 166,000 cfs. Dale Hollow Dam is also outfitted with four cast steel, slide, hydraulically-operated sluice gates each 4’ wide by 6’ tall. The sluice gates have two gates in tandem per conduit and the total discharge capacity for all four with the pool at spillway crest (elevation 651.0) is 6,200 cfs. Dale Hollow Dam has three Francis fixed blade turbines with three 15’ diameter penstocks with a centerline intake elevation of 563.0. The nominal head is 140 feet, nominal discharge 1,750 cfs per unit, and nameplate power rating is 18 MW each (54 MW total).

Dale Hollow Reservoir has a surface area of approximately 27,700 acres surrounded by approximately 24,842 acres of public lands at the top of Conservation Pool elevation 651.0. Approximately 98 percent of this land is forested. At the minimum pool elevation of 631.0 (top of Inactive Storage Pool or bottom of Conservation Pool), the reservoir has a surface area of 21,880 acres.

Hydrology

The Obey River drains an area of 947 square miles and empties into the Cumberland River from the left bank at Mile 380.9. The watershed is roughly fan-shaped, being approximately 35 miles wide at the widest point and 50 miles long. The river is formed by the junction of the East and West Forks of the Obey River, approximately 58 miles above the mouth. The river valley is narrow and is bordered by gently rolling to rugged uplands. Terrain in the basin is deeply dissected and, with the exception of a small amount of cultivated land in the narrow stream valleys and on some gentle slopes, is covered with a heavy growth of brush and trees.

Average infiltration rates and runoff factors have been computed for a number of storms that have occurred over the Obey River basin and the two adjacent basins drained by the Caney Fork River and South Fork of the Cumberland River. The runoff volumes were based on stream flow data revised by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), but rainfall data were inadequate (there being only one rainfall station within the Obey River Basin, and that station, Byrdstown, being inoperative from May 1920 to December 1935) so that results obtained may be somewhat in error. The infiltration rates for the storms studied within the Obey River Basin varied from a minimum of 0.024 to a maximum of 0.104 inch per hour, with an average of 0.050 for the 15 computations. The maximum computed runoff factor in the area was 82.3 percent, and the average 73.5 percent. The maximum runoff factor in the adjacent Caney Fork Basin was 91.9 percent, with a computed

Draft Version - 18

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

infiltration rate of 0.020 inch per hour. Table 2.2, below, shows the six hour inflow values for the surface runoff unit hydrograph. Below that, Table 2.3 shows the six hour baseflow unit hydrograph.

Table 2.2 - Six hour surface runoff unit hydrograph

Time Flow (cfs) Time Flow (cfs) Time Flow (cfs)

06 16,000 30 10,400 54 1,300

12 21,600 36 6,100 60 700

18 20,900 42 3,700 66 400

24 17,300 48 2,200 72 200

Table 2.3 - Six hour baseflow unit hydrograph

Time Flow (cfs) Time Flow (cfs) Time Flow (cfs) Time Flow (cfs)

06 200 30 1,200 54 1,380 78 1,300

12 500 36 1,400 60 1,360 84 1,280

18 700 42 1,440 66 1,330 90 1,250

Previous flow times 24 1,000 48 1,410 72 1,300 96 recession factor of 0.98

Approximately 76 percent of the total annual runoff occurs between the five month period of December through April. Approximately 84 percent occurs in the six month period of December through May. Total runoff is approximately 21 inches per year. Infiltration rates are lowest in winter when they may be as low as 0.02 inch per hour, whereas rates of 0.10 inch per hour are typical in the summer and early fall. Average computed monthly inflows in day-second-feet (dsf) are displayed in Figure 2-2.

Draft Version - 19

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Average Monthly Inflows (dsf) Mean: 1,471 dsf 3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average Monthly Inflows (dsf)

Figure 2-2 – Average Monthly Inflows

Sedimentation and Shoreline Erosion

In the Dale Hollow Definite Project Report, dated September 1941, silt deposits were estimated to be approximately 0.19 ac-ft/year/mi2 – or approximately 178 ac-ft/year. In June 1943, 14 sediment ranges were established. This original network of 14 ranges included 11 across the main stem and only three across tributaries, one on each of the Forks, East and West, just above their junction, and the other on the Wolf River at the upper limit of the reservoir. These ranges gave inadequate coverage of the reservoir because of the numerous large tributary embayment areas. It was believed that sediment entering these embayments was practically all retained within the embayment. Nine tributary and three main stem ranges were added to the 14 original ranges during the June 1960 sediment resurvey. Sediment surveys were completed in 1960 and 1980 and measured an insignificant amount of storage volume lost. Partial resurveys were done in 1987, 1995, and 2000 and all indicated little if any sediment deposition occurred since the 1980 survey. None of the reports adjusted the stage-storage curves; therefore the stage-storage curves used today are the same as when the reservoir was first impounded. No sediment survey report has been completed at Dale Hollow since 2000.

Because the shoreline is mostly undeveloped, densely forested, and/or rugged/rocky, shoreline erosion typically isn’t a concern at Dale Hollow. However, several swimming beaches are available at public use areas which can require annual maintenance due to erosion from annual pool fluctuations.

Draft Version - 20

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Water Quality

Generally the water quality of Dale Hollow is very good. Large areas of the watershed are forested with scattered, small agriculture, pasture, and residential development. Logging and other forest industry extractive activities are considerable due to the nature of the watershed. Small, rural towns and communities are scattered through the watershed and tend to exert localized effects on water quality of inflowing streams and limited reaches of the reservoir. Only two communities, Albany, Kentucky and Byrdstown, Tennessee discharge their wastewater effluent into to the reservoir. Effects from legacy coal mining activities continue in the watershed, however with time and the implementation of restoration measures impacts of these activities have decreased. Oil and gas extraction is prevalent throughout the basin and varies with market forces for these products. Except in the above noted localized areas, excess nutrients and algae blooms have not caused any substantial problems. Mean summer depth in the reservoir is about 49 feet and mean retention time is approximately 341 days. The long mean retention time is a factor favoring dissolved oxygen depletion set up by thermal stratification even in the general absence of high nutrient loading.

Dale Hollow Reservoir is considered to be mesotrophic to borderline eutrophic with generally good overall water quality. There have been no documented cases of harmful algal blooms (HABS) noted within the reservoir. This is in sharp contrast to other USACE reservoirs in Kentucky which have had severe HABS in recent years. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are adequate throughout the reservoir except for late summer and early fall when depletion of DO in the hypolimnion occurs. Even though there have been occasional fish die offs, the USACE and other agencies have investigated these events but have not come to any definitive conclusions regarding their cause. In response, additional water quality monitoring stations have been established and/or revisited, particularly on large embayments, to track water column conditions.

The reservoir is temperature stratified typically between April and November. Effects of temperature stratification endure longest in the deep portion of the reservoir near the dam and have been observed to continue into December of some years. Despite this stratification, the dissolved oxygen (DO) content usually remains high enough to support a two story fishery. It is not unusual for outflow DO to fall below 6.0 mg/l and even dip below 4.0 mg/l during the August through October period. Outflow temperatures are relatively cold, ranging from approximately 400 to 600 Fahrenheit (50 to 160 Centigrade), which is somewhat predictable for a deep storage reservoir. These outflow temperatures are somewhat cooler but very comparable with those from Center Hill and Wolf Creek.

Typically by late summer or early fall, thermal stratification effects cause reduced dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the hydropower releases from the dam. The result is the tailwater reach having DO levels below the Tennessee state cold water standard of 6.0 mg/l. Under normal conditions, water discharged from the power plant exhibits minimal reaeration as it moves downstream in the

Draft Version - 21

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

established Obey River channel. To improve DO in the outflow from the dam, hub baffles were installed on all three turbine units along with auxiliary air supply valves. The combination of hub baffles and the auxiliary air supply provide a boost to DO outflow concentrations of approximately 1.00-1.50 mg/l. These increases have been extensively documented by LRN through intensive monitoring of the tailwater. Positive outcomes from the operation of these turbine venting techniques is to reduce the period of time that Dale Hollow produces turbine discharges less than the 6.0 mg/l standard and to minimize the release of water through the sluice gates. Sluicing to improve tailwater DO levels has been implemented at Dale Hollow and involves releasing water through the sluice gates to produce highly aerated water to mix with the oxygen deficient turbine discharge. Typically, sluicing produces a significant increase to DO in the tailwater meeting the state standard within a mile of the dam.

In addition to meeting state minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) requirements in the Dale Hollow tailwater, operations at Dale Hollow can also play a role in meeting targeted DO minimums on the Cumberland mainstem. Old Hickory Dam is considered the water quality control point for the Cumberland River basin system operations. Generally, when desirable DO conditions in releases from Old Hickory are maintained, acceptable water quality conditions along the Cumberland River mainstem are assured.

The Dale Hollow Project has twenty two actively sampled water quality stations for collection of physical, chemical, biological, and sediment contaminant data. Figure 2-3 illustrate the location of water quality stations on Dale Hollow Lake. There are eight main stem reservoir stations, seven tributary embayment stations, six inflow stream stations, and the tailwater station. Water quality sampling by LRN Water Management is performed year round at Dale Hollow. Physical data is collected at least monthly in the tailwater and the lower, middle, and upper areas of the reservoir to support trend analysis and model development. Biweekly collections are often necessary in late summer and fall to assess low dissolved oxygen conditions from turbine discharge. Chemical data collection is done seasonally at least three times per year, usually in the spring, summer, and fall. Once every ten years Dale Hollow is sampled intensively five times in a year. Benthic macroinvertebrates are monitored once every three years at six inflow locations. Phytoplankton are monitored at eight reservoir stations during the physical/chemical sampling trips. Sediment contaminant samples are collected in the reservoir once every five years at six different locations.

Water quality data that is collected manually in the field is stored in the CE-DASLER Water Quality Database Management System. Typically, field data reports are prepared and sent to stakeholders immediately after the completion of every sampling trip. Water quality data records span from about 1970 to present.

In addition to field sampling by water management staff, there is also a water temperature gauge in the tailwater that collects and transmits data every fifteen minutes throughout the year. The automated water temperature gauge in the tailwater is transmitted via DCP and the GOES network

Draft Version - 22

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

to the CWMS database in the district office. The LRN Water Management Stream Gauging staff are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the tailwater gauge.

Figure 2-3 - Dale Hollow Project Water Quality Sampling Locations

Climate

The climate of the Dale Hollow Lake area is moderate. Temperatures range from summer highs (July) of 87.3o F to winter lows (January) of 26.7o F. The average daily temperature ranges 36.5o F in January to 76.5o F in July. A record high of 105o F was set in June 2012; the record low of minus 24o F was set in January 1985. The average growing season is approximately 200 days, extending from April to October. Annual rainfall for the basin averages 57 inches with an additional seven inches of snow per year (National Weather Service, 2017). Relative humidity for the area ranges from 42% to 93% across the year. Humidity rarely drops below 25%, but does reach 100% at times. Winds predominantly blow from the south or southwest (35 percent of the time); westerly winds occur approximately 20 percent of the time across the watershed. Typical wind speeds are less than 6 miles per hour (mph) with an average speed of 2.8 mph (Weather Spark, 2017). Topography Draft Version - 23 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Topography

The topography around Dale Hollow Lake is typical of that found within the Eastern Highland Rim region of Tennessee, with foothills of moderate steepness that are predominantly covered by forest. The crests of the foothills range from gently rolling to peaked, with development typically present on the flatter ridgelines. The valley downstream of the dam is atypical from those found within the pool area of the lake in that the valley is wider and the slopes are gentler than those typical to the Eastern Highland Rim region. These features are shown in Figure 2-4, an aerial view of Dale Hollow Dam looking upstream. The valleys that exist above the pool area are both narrower and steeper than that below the dam due to the fact that construction of Dale Hollow Lake has submerged the lower portions of the pre-existing meander river valleys that once characterized the lower Obey River.

The summer pool of the lake is at an elevation of approximately 651 feet MSL. The topography of the shoreline is characterized by the narrow ridges and valleys that surround the lake, which covers 27,700 surface acres with a shoreline length of 620 miles. The topography varies in relief, with ridgelines at peak elevation of approximately 1100 feet MSL just east of the dam, to those of the southeastern area of the upper lake which can reach elevations of over 1700 MSL. One of the highest peaks in the Obey River/Dale Hollow Lake watershed is Double Top Mountain at the border of Pickett and Fentress Counties, TN, with a top elevation of 1791 feet MSL.

Due to developmental restrictions that are in force along the shoreline, much of Dale Hollow Lake remains in its natural state, with a well-developed, mature forest cover. The steep and narrow original stream valleys that exist along the pool area provide a natural buffer zone between the lake and development. This natural shoreline contributes greatly to the appeal of the lake with regard to boating, fishing and other outdoor recreation activities.

Draft Version - 24

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 2-4 - Aerial View of Dale Hollow Dam looking upstream, with the Eastern Highland Rim Physiographic Region in background (2014). Note rolling, grassed plateaus and narrow forested stream valleys in the distance

Draft Version - 25 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 2-5 - Typical Natural Topography along the pool area at Dale Hollow Dam, looking upstream (2018).

Physical Geography

Dale Hollow Lake lies along the border of south-central Kentucky and north-central Tennessee. The state of Tennessee is divided into several physiographic provinces, as shown below on Figure 2-6. The Tennessee portion of Dale Hollow lies just inside the boundary of the Eastern Highland Rim, on the northern edge of Tennessee near the center of the state. The physiographic region of the Eastern Highland Rim was formed by platform deposition of carbonate sediments in a shallow inland sea, followed by uplift, which allowed subsequent erosion to carve a dissected topography of ridges, irregular valleys and rolling hills.

Figure 2-6 - Physiographic Provinces of Tennessee, from the Tennessee Geological Survey.

The Eastern Highland Rim physiographic region is typically referred to as the Pottsville Escarpment in Kentucky nomenclature, although the topography and underlying geology are nearly identical. The ridges and hills of these regions are capped with bedrock that resists erosion (Fort Payne and Warsaw Formations), while the irregular valleys are underlain by limestone that is less resistant to weathering and is prone to dissolution (Leipers and Catheys Limestone Formations). In some areas, the limestone has undergone dissolution to form caves, sinkholes, depressions and sinking streams that are typical of a karst terrain. These karst features often control major groundwater movement within the surficial bedrock.

Geology

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake are part of the Obey River Basin located in the Highland Rim section of north central Tennessee and southern Kentucky- a forested, mountainous region characterized by

Draft Version - 26

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

scattered farming and low population density. The shoreline of the lake is irregular and is marked by numerous coves and inlets. The steep valley walls and ridges which form the shoreline in most areas are covered by a very this discontinuous soil cover and are, in most cases, densely wooded. However, there are areas where the lake does not reach the valley walls. In these areas the land slopes gently away from the water edge for a distance, creating are natively flat area between the steep valley walls and the water. During impoundment a total of 19 lake islands were formed from mounds that jutted up from the valley floor. The soils in the area are characteristic of the limestone bedrock and because of the steep side slopes, are very thin with conspicuous rock outcrops. Relief from pool elevation 651 to the top of the adjacent ridges varies from about 450 feet to 500 feet. The steepness of the shoreline in many areas precludes development and severely limits access to the lake. However, these qualities add greatly to the scenic character of the area.

Soil is formed by weathering processes acting on materials deposited or accumulated by geologic activity. The important factors in soil formation are parent materials, climate, geological organisms (particularly vegetation), topography, and time. The soils of the project area have developed from two general kinds of parent material; the more predominant soils are residuum formed by weathering of sedimentary rocks in place. The other soils consist of the weathering products of accumulations of sand, silt, clay, and rock fragments transported by water wind, or gravity. The soils of project site exhibit considerable variation from one point to another as a result of the diverse, geologic and topographic formations that characterize the area. The basic soil characteristics will be discussed in this plan in order to give an overview of the resource.

2-09.A Regional Geology Dale Hollow Lake is located within bedrock of Ordovician to Mississippian in age. Figure 2-7 is a geologic map of Tennessee with the location of Dale Hollow shown.

Draft Version - 27

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 2-7 - Geologic Map of Tennessee, from the Tennessee Geological Survey.

Although Dale Hollow lies in the Eastern Highland Rim region, this region was formed in association with the Central Basin region. The Central Basin region was formed by the Cincinnati arch, which extends from Cincinnati, Ohio in a southwestern trend past Nashville, TN where it is termed the Nashville Dome. The response of the sedimentary bedrock undergoing uplift within the dome was up-warping, then decompressional stress-relief fracturing resulting from the unloading of the overlying rock by erosion. The forces together produced vertical joint sets that trend generally parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dome, following the regional trend of the arch. Since the axis of the arch varied slightly with each tectonic event, there is regional variation in the joint orientation between different bedrock formations. The formations within the eastern edge of the Central Basin and the Eastern Highland Rim are gently dipping Ordovician limestone with inter-bedded shale members. At Dale Hollow Lake, these formations are in ascending order; the Catheys Formation, the Leipers Formation, the Chattanooga Shale, the Fort Payne Formation, the Warsaw Formation and the St. Louis Formation.

The limestone beds within these formations are susceptible to solutioning of open joints/bedding planes, forming sinkholes, caves and the sinking streams that are characteristics of a karst terrain.

The jointing pattern within these limestone formations typically dictate the direction and extent of karst development. The rivers and stream often follow the regional orientations, which can produce the 90° bends found in the region. The erosional and weathering susceptibility of the Catheys and Leipers limestone formations in the lower valleys combined with the more resistant Fort Payne and Warsaw Formations present along the upper valley slopes characterize the Highland Rim region with dissected, narrow streams with steep valleys and the rolling plateaus above them.

Draft Version - 28

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

The Fort Payne and Warsaw Formations form the protective cap rock along the ridgelines and upper valley walls that preserve the softer formations below them. The Catheys and Leipers Limestone formations are much more susceptible to weathering and dissolutioning, forming the caves, sinkholes and sinking streams that typify the lower valleys and stream beds.

At Dale Hollow Dam, the Leipers Formation is present at the shoreline, while approximately 3 miles upstream from the dam, the Fort Payne becomes the surface rock at the shoreline level.

The structure of the Highland Rim is simple compared to its neighboring provinces. The bedrock formations generally dip gently to the east, off the eastern flank of the Nashville Dome. The jointing that occurred due to the uplift of the dome occurs less frequently in the Eastern Highland Rim. This generally means there are fewer fractures to allow for the water to erode through Fort Payne and Warsaw limestone, allowing them to remain and form the plateaus and low rolling hills of the region.Local Geology

The Obey River has cut a deep valley into the sedimentary rock layers of limestone, siltstone and shale from the Ordovician, Devonian and Mississippian ages. In ascending order from oldest to youngest, the formations exposed at the surface along the lake are the Catheys and Leipers Formations of Ordovician age; the Chattanooga Shale of Devonian age; the Fort Payne, Warsaw and St. Louis Formations of Mississippian age. Since Dale Hollow Lake is located in Kentucky and Tennessee, the geologic maps from each state are provided below to illustrate the spatial distribution of the formations described above. Figure 2-8 shows the geology of the portion of Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky, with a legend provided at the bottom of the figure to list the formational labels and colors shown on the map. This is a regional geologic map provided by the Kentucky Geological Survey online mapping service.

Figure 2-8 shows the geology within the area of the Dale Hollow Dam, as shown by the Dale Hollow Dam Geologic Quadrangle, provided by the Tennessee Division of Geology. This map is of higher detail, since it shows the geology beneath the dam site. The geologic structure contours are shown on Figure 2-9, which are drawn on the base of the Chattanooga Shale. The azimuth direction of the regional dip of the bedrock is approximately North 100 degrees East, with a dip of 1 to 2 degrees. This is consistent with the geologic structure of the Eastern Highland Rim, which dips east away from the Nashville Dome. These same structure contours show the site specific dip at the dam site to be almost due east, with a dip of approximately 2.9 degrees.

The structural dip at the dam site is somewhat steeper than that found generally in the lake area, but is still not considered to be extreme. The geologic structure is similar on the adjacent geologic quadrangle, the Dale Hollow Reservoir SE Quadrangle, which also shows the bedrock dipping toward the east in values that range from 1 to 3 degrees.

Draft Version - 29

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 2-8 - Geologic Map of Dale Hollow Lake within Kentucky, with Legend (Kentucky Geological Survey). 2-09.B Bedrock Description Moving from the river bed just below the dam up to the ridgelines in the uppermost headwaters, the oldest rock formations are exposed in the river bed and get younger toward the ridgelines. The Catheys Formation, of Upper Ordovician age, is the lowest bedrock exposed in the river valley below Dale Hollow Dam. It extends from below the river bed up to an elevation of approximately 550 feet msl. The Catheys is a limestone formation that is typically dark to medium gray, interbedded with calcareous shale, fine grained, with some zones that are massive bedded, coarse grained and contain fossil fragments. There is a thin bed (less than 1 foot thick) zone of pale gray, fine grained limestone with a distinctive parting of blue-gray shale at the top of the formation. The basal foundation of Dale Hollow Dam lies upon the Catheys Formation, a generalized geologic cross- section of the dam is shown below on Figure 2-11.

The Catheys Formation forms karst features such as sinkholes, springs and sinking streams in the lower stream valleys below Dale Hollow Dam. Some of these features have been investigated in conjunction with dam safety inspections over that past few decades. Grouting programs at the

Draft Version - 30

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake switchyard have been completed to mitigate any risk associated with the karst development within the Catheys Formation. The groundwater system within the Catheys Formation is monitored by instrumentation within and around Dale Hollow Dam.

Figure 2-9 - Geologic Map of Project Area, taken from the Geologic Map of the Dale Hollow Dam (Tennessee Geological Survey).

Qal = Alluvium Olcy = Leipers and Catheys Formations, Mfp = Chattanooga and Fort Payne Formations, Mw = Warsaw Formation Map is not to scale.

The Leipers Formation overlies the Catheys Formation, which is also a limestone of Upper Ordovician in age. The Leipers Formation extends from its basal contact with the Catheys at 550 feet msl up to an elevation of approximately 680 feet msl. It is present along the shoreline at normal pool at the dam, extending to approximately five miles upstream along the lakeshore, where the shoreline transitions to the Fort Payne Formation.

The Leipers Formation consists of a dark gray limestone, fine grained, thin to thick bedded, with lenses of bluish-gray shale, very fossiliferous, and weathers to form slabby blocks at outcrops. The Leipers Formation is also known for developing karst features, dating back to the “1969” sinkhole that opened up above the shoreline near the upstream right abutment of the dam.

Draft Version - 31

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

The area adjacent to the right abutment of Dale Hollow Dam has displayed karst development within the Leipers Formation, whereas the left abutment has not to date. The Leipers Formation in the area adjacent to the right abutment has also been investigated to determine the extent of karst development. It has been determined that karst development in the area of the dam typically begins at the contact between the Leipers Formation and the overlying Chattanooga Shale, which is at an elevation of approximately 680 feet msl. The relationship between the Leipers Formation and the dam is shown below on Figure 2-11.

The Chattanooga Shale overlies the Leipers Formation and can clearly be seen in the road cut beside the visitor parking lot on the top right side of the dam (looking downstream). It is present at the dam at an elevation range of approximately 680 up to 700 feet msl. The Chattanooga Shale is dark gray to grayish-black carbonaceous shale, thinly laminated, that weathers readily into small chips that are typically blackish-gray to silver-gray to brownish-orange. It contains a wide variety of minerals, including pyrite, an iron sulfide mineral, which when combined with water forms sulfuric acid. The conversion of the pyrite minerals into sulfuric acid leaves orange staining on the surface of the exposed bedrock in road cuts. In some areas there is a thin sandstone layer at the base of the shale, which is less than one foot thick.

The Ft. Payne Formation lies above the Chattanooga Shale, at an elevation interval of approximately 700 to 900 feet msl. The Fort Payne Formation is composed of a calcareous siltstone, argillaceous limestone and shale, medium to dark gray, very fine to medium grained, limestone which is extensively exposed in the Highland Rim. The ridges in the Central Basin and the flatness of the Highland Rim are partially due to the high resistance to erosion of the Fort Payne limestone. The Ft. Payne does erode, producing a thick residuum of cohesive clay and chert, which tends to protect the underlying Chattanooga Shale. Quartz geodes and chert nodules are common in the Fort Payne and are typically found weathering out of road cuts, outcrops and stream beds.

The Warsaw Formation overlies the Ft. Payne and is widely distributed along the ridgelines and plateaus of the upper reaches of Dale Hollow Lake, at an elevation interval of approximately 900 to 1000 feet msl. The Warsaw Formation is comprised of three distinct beds, in descending order; sandy limestone that is dark gray to grayish black that is fine to coarse grained, medium bedded, with some cross-bedding present, typically weathers to a reddish-brown sandy residuum; limestone, dark gray, with fossil fragments, medium to coarse grained, medium bedded, commonly cross-bedded; calcareous siltstone, dark gray, very fine to fine grained, with lenses of light olive- gray shale, weathers to a yellowish-brown, silty residuum. The Warsaw Formation is usually poorly exposed, due to the thick residuum it produces.

The St. Louis Formation only occurs sporadically along a few of the highest ridge tops near Dale Hollow Dam and in some areas of the upper lake, at an elevation interval of approximately 1000 to 1120 feet msl. The St. Louis Formation weathers easily and forms rolling plateaus along the higher

Draft Version - 32

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

ridgelines. It is a medium to dark gray limestone, fine to medium grained, medium to thick bedded, contains chert nodules, weathers to reddish-brown, clayey soil containing chert nodules.

2-09.C Karst Development The bedrock under the dam consists of the Catheys and Leipers Formations, which are also present around both of the abutments of Dale Hollow Dam are susceptible to karst development. On the upstream sides of the dam, along the normal pool shoreline, the Leipers Formation is present in the form of weathered rock ledges that jut out from the hillside. Error! Reference source not found. shows the outcrop of the Leipers Formation near the right upstream abutment of the dam, in the area of the “1969” sinkhole that exists just above the service road. Groundwater dye trace studies have been conducted at this sinkhole to determine the directions of flow toward downstream portions of the dam and switchyard area.

Figure 2-10 - Limestone of the Leipers Formation along shoreline, near right upstream abutment of Dale Hollow Dam. Note solution-enlarged bedding planes and cavities.

Draft Version - 33

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

These studies determined that the dam itself was not currently at risk to karst development, but the switchyard area was reinforced with a grouting program to prevent settlement in its unconsolidated foundation.

Figure 2-11 - Geologic Cross-Section under Dale Hollow Dam (shown in gray).

The existing and potential lateral extent of karst development within the Leipers Formation is an ongoing concern for dam safety personnel. Springs and sinkholes in the unnamed valley to the immediate northwest of the dam are monitored on a monthly basis to make sure that there are no changes in the groundwater system in the area. In consideration of the site conditions and potential for future karst development, some recommendations to be included in this master plan are necessary.

There should not be any excavation along the shoreline in proximity to Dale Hollow Dam, unless a thorough study of the area and a karst mitigation plan is developed that will insure no increase in groundwater flow will occur. In order to delineate this proposed development restriction area, the map originally developed for the instrumentation plan for Dale Hollow was used. The shoreline

Draft Version - 34

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake areas adjacent to Dale Hollow Dam, which need to have development restriction policies implemented on them, are shown in red on Figure 2-12 below.

Disturbing and/or excavating the Leipers limestone in these areas has a strong potential to allow for the accelerated dissolutioning of the bedrock, which would increase groundwater volume and velocity from the reservoir into the bedrock surrounding the dam abutments. Karst development near the dam abutments could conceivably destabilize the upper portion of the dam foundation and would be very expensive to mitigate.

If future development in these areas cannot be avoided, it is recommended that a grouting program be developed by a geologist that would be implemented to mitigate the effects of excavating the Leipers limestone. This mitigation program would also involve additional monitoring of the downstream abutments for groundwater flow, new springs, as well as the existing instrumentation within and adjacent to the dam itself. Figure 2-12 shows the known sinkholes that exist in close proximity to the dam. Although no sinkholes have been identified to date along the left abutment of the dam, the geology is identical to that which exists along the right abutment, requiring this area to be protected as well.

Figure 2-12 - Karst Protection Areas around Dale Hollow Dam

Draft Version - 35

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Soils

Dale Hollow Dam and Lake are part of the Obey River Basin located in the Highland Rim section of north central Tennessee and southern Kentucky- a forested, mountainous region characterized by scattered farming and low population density. The shoreline of the lake is irregular and is marked by numerous coves and inlets. The steep valley walls and ridges which form the shoreline in most areas are covered by a very this discontinuous soil cover and are, in most cases, densely wooded. However, there are areas where the lake does not reach the valley walls. In these areas the land slopes gently away from the water edge for a distance, creating are natively flat area between the steep valley walls and the water. During impoundment a total of 19 lake is lands were formed from mounds that jutted up from the valley floor. The soils in the area are characteristic of the limestone bedrock and because of the steep side slopes, are very thin with conspicuous tock outcrops. Relief from pool elevation 651 to the top of the adjacent ridges varies from about 450 feet to 500 feet. The steepness of the shoreline in many areas precludes development and severely limits access to the lake. However, these qualities add greatly to the scenic character of the area.

Soil is formed by weathering processes acting on materials deposited or accumulated by geologic activity. The important factors in soil formation are parent materials, climate, geological organisms (particularly vegetation), topography, and time. The soils of the project area have developed from two general kinds of parent material; the more predominant soils are residuum formed by weathering of sedimentary rocks in place. The other soils consist of the weathering products of accumulations of sand, silt, clay, and rock fragments transported by water wind, or gravity. The soils of project site exhibit considerable variation from one point to another as a result of the diverse, geologic and topographic formations that characterize the area. The basic soil characteristics will be discussed in this plan in order to give an overview of the resource.

2-10.A Soil Associations of the Project Area Within the project boundaries are four general soil association areas: Caneyville-Lonewoood, Christian-Faywood, Garmon-Newbern and Talbott-Rock. A soil association can be defined as a particular land area that has a distinctive proportional pattern of soils. An association consists of two or more major soil series and several minor soils series, and is named for the major soil series. The four general soil associations and association areas are described below. Also, the land capability class is a rating defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service that relates to the lands capability for agricultural production. Knowledge of the land capability, or suitability, for various natural resources related a land use is fundamental to basic stewardship of natural resources. The eight classes range from 1, no limitations, to 8, severe limitations. Soil associations within soil areas for the project area are mapped in Figure 2-13.

Draft Version - 36

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 2-13 - General Soil Map (Data Source: August 2018 Data from NRCS Web Soil Survey)

Caneyville-Lonewoood Association (CaD2)

This association is an area of hillsides along the Kentucky State line with slope range 6 to 25 percent. Most of the soils formed in residuum from sandy limestone and siltstone. The composition of Caneyville and Lonewood soils and similar inclusion is 75 percent. These soils are well drained, slow or very slow (Caneyville)/moderate (Lonewood) permeability, strongly acid to neutral (Caneyville)/very strongly acid or strongly acid (Lonewood) soil reaction, and moderate or high with 4 to 7 inches (Caneyville)/high with 6 to 8 inches (Lonewood) of water capacity. Caneyville soils have a surface layer (0 to 10 inches) of brown silt loam, strong brown loam/yellowish red clay and clay loam subsoil (10 to 36 inches), and 36 inches of hard limestone bedrock. Lonewood soils have surface layer (0 to 4 inches) of dark grayish brown loam, yellowish brown loam (4 to 9 inches)/dark yellowish brown loam (9 to 29 inches)/strong brown clay loam (29 to 45 inches)/yellowish read loam (45 to 61 inches) subsoil. The soil is poorly suited to cropland.

Draft Version - 37

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

The Caneyville soil is not suitable for septic systems because of the slow or very slow permeability and onsite investigation is needed to locate areas of the more suitable Lonewood soil. These soils are well suited for woodland, dwelling, pasture and hay. For the land capability classification 6s, these soils have severe limitation that make them generally unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict use mainly to pasture, forestland, or wildlife habit and the soil is limited mainly because it is shallow, droughty, or stony.

Christian-Faywood Association (CwE)

This association is an area of hillsides with slope range 6 to 25 percent. Most of the soils formed in residuum from limestone, siltstone, and calcareous shale. The composition of Christian and Faywood soils and similar inclusion is 90 percent. These soils are well drained, slow or very slow permeability, strongly acid to slightly acid soil reaction, and moderate or high with 2 to 8inches (Christian)/low with 2 to 4 inches (Faywood) of water capacity. Christian soils have a surface layer (0 to 8 inches) of brown and yellowish brown loam, strong brown clay loam (8 to 18 inches)/strong brown clay (q8 to 48 inches)/strong brown extremely channery clay loam (48 to 57 inches) subsoil, and 57 to 62 inches of soft weathered siltstone bedrock. Faywood soils have surface layer (0 to 1 inch) of very dark grayish brown silt loam, yellowish brown silty clay loam /yellowish brown clay (1 to 25 inches) subsoil and 25 inches of siltstone bedrock. These soil areas are generally not well suited to most residential or commercial uses because of the slope, hazard of erosion, and rockiness. For the land capability classification 7e, these soils have very severe limitation that make them unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to grazing, forestland, or wildlife habitat and the main hazard is the risk of erosion unless close-growing plant is maintained.

Garmon-Newbern Association (GnD & GnF)

This association occurs mainly as broad areas along the Obey River Basin in the project site. These soil areas are generally not well suited to most residential or commercial uses with moderately deep and shallow, rolling to very steep, rocky, hazard of erosion, and well drained and somewhat excessively drained soils that formed in residuum from calcareous shale. The composition of Garmon and Newbern soils and similar inclusion is 80 percent. These soils are moderately acid to neutral soil reaction and moderate to moderately rapid permeability. The slope range is 40 to 80 percent. Water capacity is low or moderate with 3 to 5 inches for Garmon and very low or low with 1 to 3 inches for Newbern. Garmon soils have a surface layer (0 to 6 inches) of dark yellowish brown channery silt loam, yellowish brown channery silt loam/ yellowish brown very channery silt loam subsoil (6 to 29 inches), and 29 inches of shale bedrock. Newbern soils have surface layer (0 to 3 inches) of dark grayish brown and brown channery silt loam, yellowish brown channery/ yellowish brown very channery silt loam subsoil (3 to 18 inches), and 18 inches of shale bedrock. These soil areas are not well suited to most residential or commercial uses due to severe slope limits and the depth of bedrock limits. For the land capability classification 6e of Garmon-Newbern

Draft Version - 38

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

(GnD), these soils have severe limitation that make them generally unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict use mainly to pasture, forestland, or wildlife habit and the main hazard is the risk of erosion unless close-growing plant is maintained. For the land capability classification 7e of Garmon-Newbern (GnF), these soils have very severe limitation that make them unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to grazing, forestland, or wildlife habitat and the main hazard is the risk of erosion unless close-growing plant is maintained.

Figure 2-14 - The Garmon-Newbern General Soil Map Unit (2004 Soil Survey Report).

Talbott-Rock Association (TbE):

This association is an area of hillsides and ridges with soils formed limestone residuum. The composition of Talbott soils and similar inclusion is 65 percent with rock outcrop 20 percent and minor soil 15 percent. This association is well drained, slow or very slow permeability, and low or moderate with 2 to 6 inches of water capacity. Soil reaction is generally moderately acid or strongly acid and the layer directly above bedrock ranges to neutral. Depth to bedrock is 20 to 40 inches. Talbott soils have a surface layer (0 to 5 inches) of dark brown silty clay loam, red clay (5 to 33 inches) subsoil, and 33 inches of limestone bedrock. Rock outcrop consists of nearly vertical rock ledges 1 to 10 feet high. These soil areas are not well suited to most agricultural, residential or commercial uses because rock outcrops, the slope, and the slow permeability are limitations. For the land capability classification 7s, these soils have very severe limitation that make them

Draft Version - 39

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake unsuitable for cultivation and that restrict their use mainly to grazing, forestland, or wildlife habitat and the soil is limited mainly because it is shallow, droughty, or stony.

2-10.B Description of the Major Soil Series This section describes the major soils that occur within the Dale Hollow Lock and Dam boundaries. There are six major soil series within the project boundaries and are described below. They are Caneyville, Christian, Faywood, Garmon, Lonewood, Newbern and Talbott. Particular emphasis has been placed on those factors which affect the suitability of land for various land use activities.

For the depth of soils, the thickness of the soil over bedrock. Very deep soils are more than 60 inches deep over bedrock; deep, 40 to 60 inches; moderately deep, 20 to 40 inches; shallow, 10 to

20 inches; and very shallow, less than 10 inches.

The quality of the soil that enables water or air to move downward through the profile. The rate at which a saturated soil transmits water is accepted as a measure of this quality. In line with conventional usage in the engineering profession and with traditional usage in published soil surveys, this rate of flow continues to be expressed as “permeability.” Terms describing permeability are as follows:

Table 2.4 - Characteristics of Permeability

Permeability Measurement (inches per hour)

Impermeable 0.0 to 0.01 inch

Very slow 0.01 to 0.06 inch

Slow 0.06 to 0.2 inch

Moderately slow 0.2 to 0.6 inch

Moderate 0.6 inch to 2.0 inches

Moderately rapid 2.0 to 6.0 inches

Rapid 6.0 to 20 inches

Very rapid more than 20 inches

Draft Version - 40

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Caneyville Series

The Caneyville series consist of moderately deep, well drained, slow and very slow permeability. These soils are located on ridges and hillsides in the highly dissected areas of the Highland Rim. They developed from limestone. Slopes range from 5 to 25 percent. The classification of the soils are fine, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludalfs and these soils are associated with Christian, Garmon, Lonewood, and Newbern soils.

Christian Series

The Christian series consist of deep and very deep, well drained, slow permeability. These soils are located on ridges and hillsides in the highly dissected areas of the Highland Rim. They developed in residuum weathered from limestone bedrock. Slopes range from 12 to 40 percent. The classification of the soils are fine, mixed, semiactive, mesic Typic Hapludults and these soils are associated with Caneyville, Faywood, Frederick, Sengtown, Sugargrove, and Talbott soils.

Faywood Series

The Faywood series consist of moderately deep, well drained, slow and very slow permeability. These soils are located on ridges and hillsides in the highly dissected areas of the Highland Rim. They developed in residuum derived from siltstone, limestone, and sandy limestone. Slopes range from 5 to 40 percent. The classification of the soils are fine, mixed, active, mesic Typic Hapludalfs and these soils are associated with Hawthorne and Christian soils.

Lonewood Series

The Lonewood series consist of deep and very deep, well drained, moderate permeability. These soils are located on hillside along the Kentucky State line in the areas of Cumberland Plateau. They developed in residuum derived from sandstone. Slopes range from 6 to 25 percent. The classification of the soils are fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, mesic Typic Hapludults and these soils are associated with Caneyville, Christian, Garmon, and Newbern soils.

Newbern Series

The Newbern series consist of shallow, somewhat excessively drained, moderate permeability. These soils are located on narrow ridges and hillsides in the areas of the Highland Rim. They developed in residuum derived from calcareous shale. Slopes range from 5 to 80 percent.

Draft Version - 41

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

The classification of the soils are loamy, mixed, active, mesic Lithic Eutrudepts and these soils are associated with Garmon soil.

Talbott Series

The Talbott series consist of moderately deep, well drained, slow and very slow permeability. These soils are located on hillsides in the areas of the Highland Rim. They developed in residuum derived from limestone. Slopes range from 10 to 40 percent. The classification of the soils are fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludalfs and these soils are associated with Caneyville, Christian, and Faywood soils.

The soil characteristics is discussed in this plan in order to give an overview of the resource. Specific evaluation of land use and management information may be obtained through on-site investigation or reference to the SCS soil surveys, USDA-NRCS soil survey resources or other available detailed studies. Select soil characteristics within each association for the engineering evaluation of land use and management are described in Table 2.5.

Table 2.5 - The Engineering Evaluation of Land Use and Management (Data Source: August 2018 Data from NRCS Web Soil Survey)

Use and Component Name Map Unit Name Rating Management (%)

Caneyville, eroded, rocky Caneyville- Lonewood (40%) Very limited (CaD2) Lonewood, eroded, rocky -Camp Area (35%)

-Paths and Trails Christian-Faywood Christian, very rocky (50%) Very limited -Playgrounds (CwE) Faywood, very rocky (40%)

-Local Roads & Garmon-Newbern Somewhat Garmon (50%) Streets (GnD) limited Newbern (30%) -Unpaved Local Garmon, rocky (45%) Roads & Streets Garmon-Newbern (GnF) Very limited Newbern, rocky (35%)

Talbott-Rock outcrop Very limited Talbott (65%) (TbE)

Draft Version - 42

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Use and Component Name Map Unit Name Rating Management (%)

Caneyville, eroded, rocky Caneyville- Lonewood (40%) Moderate (CaD2) Lonewood, eroded, rocky (35%)

Christian-Faywood Moderate Christian, very rocky (50%) Construction (CwE) Limitations for Haul Roads and Log Garmon-Newbern Landings Moderate Garmon (50%) (GnD)

Garmon, rocky (45%) Garmon-Newbern (GnF) Severe Newbern, rocky (35%)

Talbott-Rock outcrop Moderate Talbott (65%) (TbE)

Caneyville, eroded, rocky Caneyville- Lonewood (40%) Severe (CaD2) Lonewood, eroded, rocky (35%)

Christian-Faywood Christian, very rocky (50%) Severe -Erosion Hazard (CwE) Faywood, very rocky (40%) (Road, Trail) Garmon-Newbern Garmon (50%) -Soil Rutting Hazard Severe (GnD) Newbern (30%)

Garmon, rocky (45%) Garmon-Newbern (GnF) Severe Newbern, rocky (35%)

Talbott-Rock outcrop Severe Talbott (65%) (TbE)

Draft Version - 43

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Use and Component Name Map Unit Name Rating Management (%)

Caneyville, eroded, rocky Caneyville- Lonewood (40%) Poorly suited (CaD2) Lonewood, eroded, rocky (35%)

Christian-Faywood Christian, very rocky (50%) Poorly suited (CwE) Faywood, very rocky (40%) Suitability or Roads (Natural Surface) Garmon-Newbern Garmon (50%) Poorly suited (GnD) Newbern (30%)

Garmon, rocky (45%) Garmon-Newbern (GnF) Poorly suited Newbern, rocky (35%)

Talbott-Rock outcrop Poorly suited Talbott (65%) (TbE)

Resource Analysis – Level One Inventory Data

2-11.A Fish and Wildlife Resources

Terrestrial Fauna

Public lands surrounding Dale Hollow Lake is characterized by more old growth forested shoreline than most other Nashville District Corps projects due to the amount of property purchased by the government prior to the impoundment of the reservoir. This forested shoreline provides a suitable environment for a variety of terrestrial organisms. Although much of the land surrounding the reservoir is characterized by steep topography which is not conducive for active wildlife management, it does contain a diversity of habitat for a variety of birds and mammals, including many game species. White-tailed deer and eastern wild turkey are common around the lake, and Dale Hollow is the home of one of the largest wintering bald eagle populations in the area. The lake and surrounding land provide these and many other species generous opportunities for watering,

Draft Version - 44

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

foraging, nesting, and cover. In addition, there is ample habitat for other terrestrial vertebrates such as amphibians and reptiles as well as a myriad of terrestrial invertebrates.

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) have primary jurisdiction for wildlife management on public lands at Dale Hollow Lake. The Corps of Engineers has entered into agreements with TWRA and KDFWR to implement, operate, and manage wildlife programs on public lands surrounding the lake. These lands provide excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife species and excellent hunting and wildlife observation opportunities for people. Major game mammals found in the project area include: white-tailed deer, opossum, raccoon, muskrat, eastern gray squirrel, fox squirrel, and eastern cottontail rabbit. Major game birds in the area include the bobwhite quail, mourning dove, Canada goose, wood duck, and mallard duck. Species to be managed will include small upland game, waterfowl, deer, and a variety of non-game species.

Aquatic Fauna

There are a total of 58 fish species that have been documented to be found in Dale Hollow Lake. These species are divided into three categories: game fish, rough fish, and forage fish. Game fish are generally considered those species that are highly desirable for recreational fishing since they are sporting to catch and/or desirable to eat. Non-game fish (rough and forage) would include those that anglers generally do not pursue, are threatened or endangered, or are too small or undesirable to eat. Rough fish are those often considered undesirable or less desirable to sport anglers although they often are pursued and preferred by some fishermen. Forage fish are those which are often used as bait and that provide vital natural food resources for game fish as well as birds and other wildlife.

The primary responsibility for fisheries management at Dale Hollow Lake rests with the TWRA and KDFWR for the state of Tennessee and the state of Kentucky respectively. TWRA and KDFWR will administer fishery management plans for the lake. Dale Hollow Lake and the Obey River tail water below Dale Hollow Dam contain diverse native and introduced game species including white bass (stripe), black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass), crappie (white and black), bluegill, muskellunge, walleye, and trout (rainbow, brown, and lake). Rough fish include several species of catfish, buffalo, redhorse, carp, and drum. The dominant forage fishes are minnows, shiners, shad (gizzard and threadfin), and alewife.

2-11.B Vegetative Resources The vegetative cover that occurs on the project represents an element in the natural beauty of the landscape. Site planning of all recreational areas at the project will capitalize on the screening and buffering attributes of vegetative cover while also providing an attractive and diverse environment. The following discussion includes descriptions of past land use and current vegetation conditions on

Draft Version - 45

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

project lands at Dale Hollow Lake.

Table 2.6 - Current Vegetation Composition at Dale Hollow Lake

Vegetation Type Percent of Project Lands Non‐Vegetated (open water) 54% Herb Dominated 1% Shrub Dominated <1% Tree Dominated – Closed Canopy 42% Tree Dominated – Open Canopy 2%

The existing vegetative pattern is primarily a product of human alteration of the land as opposed to natural succession. The vegetative pattern is the result of previous timber harvests, farming, and livestock grazing. The Forest Management Plan (found in Part 1 of the Operational Management Plan, discussed in Chapters 6), are designed to improve or maintain the vegetation surrounding Dale Hollow Lake.

Four general forest types have been identified within the project boundaries as discussed below and seen in Figure 2-15.

Oak ‐Hickory Type

The oak‐hickory type tends to be "dominant" in Middle Tennessee in that the representative species associated with this type have the ability to spread into and maintain dominance over other forest types in the area. In general, the oak hickory forest type occurs on all types of terrain throughout the project; from well drained, thin soiled slopes to dry ridges. The exact composition of a particular stand is determined by a variety of related environmental factors such as aspect, depth to bedrock, and soil characteristics. Dominant canopy species which characterize this forest type include northern red oak, white oak, chestnut oak, southern red oak, post oak, black oak, mockernut hickory, black walnut, shagbark hickory, pignut hickory , yellow poplar, white ash and American beech. The understory vegetation consists primarily of viburnum, huckleberry, dogwood, redbud, black cherry, persimmon and sassafras.

Eastern Red Cedar Type

Next to the oak‐hickory forest type, the eastern red cedar type is the most prevalent plant community on the project. The eastern red cedar forest type is prevalent on old fields and rocky areas that are too poor to support other forms of vegetation. Red cedar may occur in pure stands or it may include other woody and herbaceous plant species such as broom sedge, honeysuckle and eastern redbud.

Draft Version - 46

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Mixed Mesophytic

Mixed mesophytic is a climax forest type that favors moist coves, lower slopes, flats, and hollows where the soils are deep, fertile and moist. Species occurring within this type include American beech, various oaks and hickories, sugar maple, red maple and box elder. Common understory species include pawpaw, sourwood, redbud and dogwood.

Cove Hardwood Type

The cove hardwood forest type requires deep, fertile, moist soils that are found on lower slopes, creek bottoms, coves and flats within the project. This type of habitat is generally limited to the heads of small creeks and streams that flow into the lake.

Figure 2-15 - Typical Forest Types at Dale Hollow Lake

The vegetation on Dale Hollow Lake is classified by the National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) (Figure 2-16), with the goal being to understand the composition and vegetation of project lands using a consistent national system. Knowledge of what lands are available allows for better management of that land.

The percent acreages (Figure 2-16) on Dale Hollow Lake are broken down into vegetated and non‐

Draft Version - 47

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

vegetated divisions and descriptions (Table 2.7) of the type of vegetation in each class (Multi- Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC), 2011). Table 2.8 describes the condition of Dale Hollow Lake’s vegetation.

2.2% 0.8% 1.5% 0.8%

40.4% 53.9%

0.5% Non - Vegetated (includes surface water) Herbaceous Annual graminoid of forb vegetation Deciduous closed tree canopy Evergreen forest Mixed evergreen-deciduous closed tree canopy Deciduous open tree canopy Other

Figure 2-16 - Vegetation Classification Acreage Records for Dale Hollow Lake, as designated by the National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS)

Table 2.7 - Definitions of NVCS classifications

Class\Value Classification Description

Non-Vegetated

Developed, Medium Areas with a mixture of constructed materials and vegetation. Intensity Impervious surfaces count for part of the total cover.

Open Water Areas of open surface water without vegetative cover.

Draft Version - 48

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Class\Value Classification Description

Areas of bedrock, desert, pavement, scarps, talus, slides, volcanic Barren Land material, glacial debris, sand dunes, and other accumulations of earthen (Rock/Sand/Clay) material. Generally, vegetation accounts for less than 15% of total cover.

Herbaceous

Areas dominated by gramanoid or herbaceous vegetation, generally Grassland/ greater than 80% of total vegetation. These areas are not subject to Herbaceous intensive management such as tilling, but can be used for grazing

Forest

Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and Deciduous Forest greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. More than 75% of the tree species shed foliage simultaneously in response to seasonal change.

Areas dominated by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and Evergreen Forest greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. More than 75% of the tree species maintain their leaves all year. Canopy is without green foliage.

Areas dominate by trees generally greater than 5 meters tall, and Mixed Forest greater than 20% of total vegetation cover. Neither deciduous nor evergreen species are greater than 75% of total tree cover.

Table 2.8 - Vegetation Condition Descriptions

Vegetation Condition Condition Description

Sustainable Meeting desired state. The acreage is not significantly impacted by any factors that can be managed and does not require intensive management. The acreage also meet operational goals and objectives set out in project OMP or other applicable management document. These acres are considered healthy and sustainable for future generations. Only minor management practices may be required to maintain the health. On lands at Dale Hollow Lake, 95% can be described as sustainable.

Transitioning Managed to meet desired goals. The acreage is impacted by human or other environmental factors that require management of the acreage to

Draft Version - 49

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Vegetation Condition Condition Description

meet goals and objectives outlined in the project OMP or other applicable management document. On lands at Dale Hollow Lake, 3% can be described as transitioning.

Degraded Does not meet desired goals. The acreage is significantly impacted by human or other environmental factors that prevent the acreage from meeting desired goals outlined in the project OMP or other management documents. The acreage is not considered healthy. Intense management may be required to meet desired goals. On lands at Dale Hollow Lake, 2% can be described as degraded.

2-11.C Threatened & Endangered Species

Federally Listed Species

In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) which identifies those species of flora and fauna determined by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to be endangered or threatened with extinction, and which are protected by law. There are currently 719 species of animal and 944 species of plant in the United States listed as federally threatened or endangered under Section 4 of the ESA (USFWS, 2015). In Tennessee alone, 80 species of animal and 21 species of plant were listed as either federally threatened or endangered. Only five states (Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas) have more federally listed species. (USFWS, Environmental Conservation Online System, 2019). These numbers may increase significantly in the future as USFWS continues to list additional species and critical habitat. For instance, in April 2019, there are 22 species of animal and plant in the United States (one in Tennessee; 1 in Kentucky) that are candidate species, for which USFWS has sufficient information on biological vulnerability to support issuance of proposal to list, but issuance of proposed rule is currently precluded by higher priority listing actions. Another 15 species (2 in Tennessee; 1 in Kentucky) have been proposed in the Federal Register to be listed under Section 4 of the ESA.

A list of endangered species within Corps fee and easement properties on Dale Hollow Lake is found in Table 2.9. The list, which was derived from the USFWS Information Planning and Conservation (IPaC) database, contains three mammals, three species of plant, and eleven species of mussels, which may still survive in reaches of the river or historically occurred prior to impoundment. Also, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which has been delisted from the Endangered Species Act, is present throughout the area (USFWS, 2017).

Table 2.9 - Federally listed species recorded in the Dale Hollow Lake area

Draft Version - 50 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Group Species Common Name Myotis sodalis Indiana bat Mammals Myotis grisescens Gray bat Myotis septentrionalis Northern long-eared bat Villosa trabalis Cumberland bean Epioblasma brevidens Cumberlandian combshell Dromus dromus Dromedary pearlymussel Ptychobranchus subtentum Fluted kidneyshell Pegius fabula Littlewing pearlymussel Mussels Lampsilis abrupta Pink mucket Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica Rabbitsfoot Obovaria retusa Ring Pink Pleurobema plenum Rough Pigtoe Cumberlandia monodonta Spectaclecase Epioblasma florentina walkeri Tan riffleshell Conradina verticillata Cumberland rosemary Plants Arenaria cumberlandensis Cumberland Sandwort Spirea virginiana Virginia spirea Source: (USFWS, 2017)

Any Federal actions which may directly or indirectly affect a federally listed threatened or endangered species, or the critical habitat of a listed species, require consultation with USFWS to ensure compliance with Section (7) of the Endangered Species Act. This includes any actions undertaken, funded or licensed by the Corps on Dale Hollow Lake. Consultation could be formal or informal depending on whether or not a Federal action is likely to adversely affect a listed species or critical habitat. The potential effects of the action to Federally-listed species would be addressed during consultation.

State Listed Species

Tennessee The State of Tennessee passed legislation in 1974 entitled the “Tennessee Nongame and Endangered or Threatened Wildlife Species Conservation Act of 1974” (Tennessee Code Annotated, Sections 70-8-105 and 70-8-107) that contains a listing of animals considered threatened, endangered or in need of protection and management. The legislation is implemented by TWRA and the listing contains nearly 700 species of animals.

Also, the Tennessee Natural Heritage Inventory Program, a part of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Department of Natural Areas (TDNA), publishes the state’s rare plant list. The ability to legally list plants as Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern is granted by the State of Tennessee Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1985. The list contains over 530 species of plants and fungi. The species and State listing status of plants and animals in

Draft Version - 51

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake the approximate vicinity of Dale Hollow Lake are included below in Table 2.10. Species that are also federally listed were excluded from Table 2.10 as they were described earlier in this section. The list was formed by searching the Tennessee Natural Heritage Inventory Program website and searching for species by applicable quadrangle maps (Tennessee: Dale Hollow Dam, Dale Hollow Reservoir, Byrdstown and Alpine).

Table 2.10 - State listed species recorded in the Dale Hollow Lake area (Tennessee)

State Category Scientific Name Common Name Status

Mammal Corynorhinus rafinesquii Rafinesque’s Big-eared bat D

Mammal Myotis leibii Eastern small-footed myotis D

Mammal Neotoma magister Allegheny Woodrat D

Mammal Perimyotis subflavus Tri-colored bat R

Amphibian Aneides aeneus Green salamander R

Bird Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle D

Bird Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern D

Fish Carpiodes velifer Highfin carpsucker D

Fish Etheostoma cinereum Ashy Darter T

Fish Percina burtoni Blockside perch D

Fish Percina macrocephala Longhead darter T

Fish Percina phoxocephala Slenderhead darter D

Mollusk Lithasia armigera Armored rocksnail R

Mollusk Stenotrema angellum Kentucky siltmouth R

Crustacean Stygobromus nortoni Norton’s cave amphipod R

Arachnid Kleptochthonius rex Psuedoscorpion (Cave obligate) R

Arachnid Tyrannochthonius steevsi Psuedoscorpion (Cave obligate) R

Draft Version - 52

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

State Category Scientific Name Common Name Status

Insect Batriasymmodes Beetle (cave obligate) R quisnamus

Insect Nelsonites walteri Beetle (cave obligate) R

Insect Pseudanophthalmus Fowler’s cave beetle R fowlerae

Insect Pseudanophthalmus Inquirer’s cave beetle R inquisitor

Insect Pseudosinella orba Cave springtail R

Invertebrate Psuedotremia wallaceae Wallace’s Cave Millipede R (Other)

Flowering Plant Carex ouachitana Quachita sedge S

Flowering Plant Collinsia verna Spring Blue-eyed Mary E

Flowering Plant Juglans cinerea Butternut T

Explanation of Tennessee State Status Codes: E-Endangered; T-Threatened; D-Deemed in Need of Management; S-Special Concern; R-Rare (not state listed)

Kentucky The Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission has updated and revised the lists of rare and extinct or extirpated biota. This is the most current list of statuses available and represents an updated version of the formal list last published in the Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science in 2010. The list is based on a standard methodology now utilized by The Nature Conservancy. Natural communities have been included in this update. The newly revised lists include one lichen, 387 vascular plant and lesser taxa, 347 animal taxa, and 36 natural communities considered rare. Twenty-one plant and 46 animal taxa are considered extirpated or extinct from Kentucky (KSNPC, 2012). The following list consists of rare plants located in Clinton and Cumberland Counties, Kentucky. Kentucky does not have rare animal species inventoried by geographic area on publicly available links.

Table 2.11 – Rare plant species listed in Kentucky

Draft Version - 53

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

State Category Scientific Name Common Name Status

Flowering Plant Aureolaria patula Spreading False Foxglove S

Flowering Plant Bartonia virginica Yellow Screwstem T

Flowering Plant Berchemia scandens Supple jack T

Flowering Plant Carex buxbaumii Brown bog sedge E

Flowering Plant Erysimum capitatum Western Wallflower E

Flowering Plant Euphorbia mercurialina Mercury Spurge T

Flowering Plant Matelea carolinensis Carolina Anglepod E

Flowering Plant Parnassia asarifolia Kidneyleaf Grass-of -parnassus E

Flowering Plant Parnassia grandifolia Large-leaved Grass-of-parnassus E

Flowering Plant Potamogeton pulcher Spotted pondweed T

Flowering Plant Philadelphus inodorus Mock orange T

Flowering Plant Sabatia campanulata Slender Marsh Pink E

Flowering Plant Thaspium pinnatifidum Cutleaf Meadow Parsnip T

Flowering Plant Viburnum molle Softleaf Arrowwood S

Flowering Plant Vitis rupestris Sand Grape T

Explanation of Kentucky State Status Codes: E-Endangered, T-Threatened, S-Special Concern (may become threatened or endangered)

2-11.D Invasive Species Invasive plants and animals may have many impacts on fish and wildlife resources; they may degrade, change, or displace native habitats and complete with our native wildlife (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012). Invasive species are serious threats which may cause significant damage to the environment, harming not only wildlife resources and fisheries, but also the human economy and human health. Public agencies often expend enormous amounts of time and money related to the prevention, monitoring, and management of invasive species. Public resources are also expended on community education regarding the dangers of introducing and spreading invasive species.

Draft Version - 54

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Invasive species have been introduced through routes called invasion “pathways.” Transported by air, water, rail, or road, invasive species move beyond natural geographic barriers and with no respect to political boundaries. By altering species diversity, hydrology, nutrient cycling, and other ecosystem processes, invasive species can change whole ecosystems and irreparably damage natural resources. The management of invasive species may involve steps including 1) prevention, 2) early detection, 3) rapid response, and 4) control and 5) eradication. These steps can be costly and time consuming with varying effects on the targeted species.

Education is an important mechanism to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species through such routes as recreational boating, release of live bait, landscaping with non-native ornamentals, keeping exotic pets, etc. Education emphasizes that some non-native species, intentionally or accidentally introduced, may later turn out to be invasive.

The eradication of an invasive species may be an option if the organism is rapidly detected and the extent of its invasion is limited. Many invasive species have become so widespread and established that their management and the control of further invasion is the only option. The cost of this management and control can often be excessive and priority must be given to efficiently use resources available.

Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer beetle, Agrilus planipennis, attacks only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). It is believed to have been introduced into Michigan a few decades ago on wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in Asia, where the insect is native. Since its introduction, this destructive pest has spread quite rapidly and has been found in more than 30 states, including Tennessee. There have been confirmed findings of the species in Fentress County, Tennessee, and it is believed that the species is likely present in Clay, Overton, and Pickett Counties, Tennessee (ProtectTennesseeForests, Accessed 2018). The presence of the species has also been confirmed in many other counties in the proximity of Dale Hollow Lake including Jackson, Putnam, Morgan, and Scott Counties, Tennessee; and Pulaski and McCreary Counties, Kentucky.

Emerald ash borers are believed to have killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in the United States and Canada since its discovery in 2002. The beetles can kill an ash tree within three years of the initial infestation. The infestation of a tree begins when female adults lay their eggs in bark crevices. The larvae then feed on the inner bark disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Adults are dark iridescent green, one-half inch long and one eighth inch wide. They will fly only from April to September, depending on the climate of the area. In Tennessee and southern Kentucky, the beetles will fly only in May and June. Larvae spend the rest of the year hidden beneath the bark of the ash trees. When they emerge as adults they leave D-shaped holes in the bark about one-eighth inch wide (Michigan State University, 2018).

Draft Version - 55

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIDS) along with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the University of Tennessee organizes emerald ash borer trapping activities. The large purple traps are placed in ash trees to monitor the spread of the pest in the state. Insecticides have demonstrated some efficacy against the beetle, but more effective pesticides are being developed and better management options are being researched. Dale Hollow Lake is located in the portion of the state of Tennessee covered by a firewood quarantine to help mitigate the transport and spread of emerald ash borers. Policy Letter #32 has been developed by the Corps in conjunction with other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations as an appropriate firewood policy for Corps lands. Potential biological control agents (parasitoid wasps) are currently being reared and provided to infested regions by the USDA.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, affects hemlock trees (Tsuga spp.). The adelgid is an invasive insect from Asia which was first discovered in Virginia in 1951. Since the mid-twentieth century, it has spread to 17 states from Maine to Georgia and has been observed in eastern Tennessee since 2002 (ProtectTennesseeForests, Accessed 2018). There have been confirmed findings of the adelgid in Overton, Pickett, and Fentress Counties, Tennessee. Clinton County, Kentucky, is within the natural range of the insect and confirmed findings have been documented in neighboring Wayne County, Kentucky.

Hemlock woolly adelgid infestation is responsible for the death of as much as 80% of the hemlocks in certain eastern U.S. piedmont forests including hemlocks within Shenandoah National Park and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Infestation in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has begun to take a toll on the hemlocks there. Time from infestation to the mortality of a hemlock tree in Kentucky is usually between three and 15 years. When it is mature and laying eggs, the tiny 1/16- inch long insect is often found with a covering of wool-like wax filaments. The “wool” can be found on the underside tips of infested hemlock branches from autumn to spring and the white cotton- like substance is actually the insect’s ovisacs. The species’ activity in hemlock trees leads to the disruption of nutrient supplies causing discoloration of foliage, loss of needles, and thinning of the crown of the trees. The spread of the species is often by wind and birds transporting the insects from one tree to the next (Lensing, Accessed 2018).

Two chemical options for treating trees infested with hemlock woolly adelgids include insecticidal soap and imidacloprid (a nicotine-like compound) soil injections. There is also a potential biological control agent, Laricobius sp., a predatory beetle native to the Pacific Northwest. Used separately and in conjunction with one another, the two aforementioned chemical options are effective when treating individual specimen trees; however there are no proven, effective, and cost-effective means for large-scale treatments. As with emerald ash borers and other invasive species, the

Draft Version - 56

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

potential for long-term control of the hemlock woolly adelgid may lie with finding host-specific biological controls.

Southern Pine Beetle

The southern pine beetle (SPB), Dendroctonus frontalis, is a minute (3mm) invasive insect that is native to southeastern states and is the most destructive insect pest of their forests. Its range extends from New Jersey to Florida to Texas to Illinois. The SPB must kill its host pines to reproduce, and attacks trees en masse. The SPB causes significant and rapid economic losses in all forest types, including traditional forests, urban forests, watersheds and viewsheds, and negatively impacts habitat for endangered species and recreational areas. In addition, human safety and property are threatened by SPB-killed trees, which may be susceptible to fire and whose removal usually can exceed the tree’s value (Doug Streett, US Forest Service, 2014). The effects of the Southern Pine Beetle are evident at Dale Hollow Lake, especially in impacted recreation areas, for example Willow Grove and Lillydale Campgrounds.

Invasive Exotic Plants

Numerous invasive exotic plants exist on project lands surrounding Dale Hollow Lake. These non- native plants can pose a serious threat to biodiversity as they invade and displace native plant communities which may disrupt and alter wildlife habitat. Table 2.12 lists invasive exotic plant species typical to Tennessee and the lands surrounding Dale Hollow Lake.

Table 2.12 - List of common invasive exotic pest plants in Tennessee

Type Species

Tree Mimosa or silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)

Tree Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Tree Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Shrub Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate)

Shrub Amur bush honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Shrub Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

Shrub Marrows bush honeysuckle (Lonicera marrowii)

Shrub Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)

Draft Version - 57

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Type Species

Shrub Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Herbaceous Plants Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

Herbaceous Plants Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Herbaceous Plants Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

Herbaceous Plants Japanese spiraea (Spiraea japonica)

Herbaceous Plants Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum)

Herbaceous Plants Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)

Herbaceous Plants Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Vines Climbing euonymus (Euonymus forunei)

Vines Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica

Vines Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)

Vines Kudzu (Pueraria montana)

Vines Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculata)

2-11.E Ecological Setting The Natural Resource Management Mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ER 1130-2-550, Chapter 2, Paragraph 2-2.a. (1), dated 15 November 1996) states the following:

The Army Corps of Engineers is the steward of the lands and waters at Corps water resources projects. Its Natural Resource Management Mission is to manage and conserve those natural resources, consistent with ecosystem management principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences to serve the needs of present and future generations.

In all aspects of natural and cultural resources management, the Corps promotes awareness of environmental values and adheres to sound environmental stewardship, protection, compliance and restoration practices. The Corps manages for long-term public access to, and use of, the natural resources in cooperation with other Federal, State and local agencies as well as the private sector.

Draft Version - 58

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

The Corps integrates the management of diverse natural resource components such as fish, wildlife, forests, wetlands, grasslands, soil, air and water with the provision of public recreation opportunities. The Corps conserves natural resources and provides public recreation opportunities that contribute to the quality of American life.’

In support of this mission statement, the following paragraphs describes the ecoregion where Dale Hollow Lake is located and the natural resources components found within the project area. Ecoregions are areas with generally similar ecosystems and with similar types, qualities and quantities of environmental resources. Ecoregion boundaries are determined by examining patterns of vegetation, animal life, geology, soils, water quality, climate and human land use, as well as other living and non-living ecosystem components.

The purpose of ecological land sorting is to provide information for research, assessment, monitoring and management of ecosystems and ecosystem components. Federal agencies, state agencies and nongovernmental organizations responsible for different types of resources within the same area use this information to estimate ecosystem productivity, determine probable responses to land management practices and other ecosystem disturbances, and address environmental issues over large areas, such as air pollution, forest disease or threats to biodiversity.

Dale Hollow Lake falls within the Eastern Highland Rim Ecoregion within the Interior Plateau. See Figure 2-17 to reference the location of the ecoregion in middle Tennessee (Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, 2000).

The Interior Plateau

The Interior Plateau (ecoregion 71) is a diverse ecoregion extending from southern Indiana and Ohio to northern Alabama. Rock types are distinctly different from the coastal plain sands of western Tennessee ecoregions, and elevations are lower than the Appalachian ecoregions to the east. Mississippian to Ordovician-age limestone, chert, sandstone, siltstone and shale compose the landforms of open hills, irregular plains, and tablelands. The natural vegetation is primarily oak- hickory forest, with some areas of bluestem prairie and cedar glades. The region has the most diverse fish fauna in Tennessee.

The Eastern Highland Rim Ecoregion

The Outer Nashville Basin (ecoregion 71g) has more level terrain than the Western Highland Rim (71f), with landforms characterized as tablelands of moderate relief and irregular plains. Mississippian-age limestone, chert, shale, and dolomite predominate, and karst terrain sinkholes and depressions are especially noticeable between Sparta and McMinnville. Numerous springs and spring-associated fish fauna also typify the region. Natural vegetation for the region is transitional between the oak-hickory type to the west and the mixed mesophytic forests of the Appalachian

Draft Version - 59

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake ecoregions to the east. Bottomland hardwoods forests were once abundant in some areas, although much of the original bottomland forest has been inundated by several large impoundments. Barrens and former prairie areas are now mostly oak thickets or pasture and cropland.

Draft Version - 60

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 2-17 - Ecoregions in the Dale Hollow Area, Dale Hollow Lake falling in Ecoregion 71g

Draft Version - 61

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

2-11.F Wetlands According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) (2017) there are approximately 25,560 acres identified as wetlands, exclusive of the deep water habitat, within the Dale Hollow Lake fee area. The most common classifications, beyond lake, are palustrine emergent wetland (3,585 acres), palustrine forested or scrub‐shrub (301 acres), and riverine (81 acres). Approximately 21,537 acres are classified under the Cowardin system as lacustrine (lake). Some areas are identified as having artificial structures (dikes, impoundments) associated with historic farming practices. Much more of the fringe uplands around the perimeter of the lake, that are now pastureland, were likely wetlands prior to pasture conversion. If these areas were no longer grazed by cattle and/or pasture haying ceased, plants indicative of wetland areas would return as in many areas soil and hydrology are present. National Wetlands Inventory can be accessed at National Wetlands Inventory.

Table 2.13 - Acres of Wetlands by Wetland Classification Type on Dale Hollow Lake

Acres (approx.) on Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats Classification Dale Hollow Lake

Lacustrine, Limnetic, Unconsolidated Bottom 21,312

Lacustrine, Littoral, Unconsolidated Shore 225

Palustrine, Forested Wetland 236

Palustrine, Scrub-Shrub Wetland 65

Palustrine, Emergent Wetland 3,585

Palustrine, Unconsolidated Bottom 53

Palustrine, Unconsolidated Shore 3

Riverine, Lower Perennial, Unconsolidated Bottom 45

Riverine, Upper Perennial, Unconsolidated Bottom 1

Riverine, Intermittent, Streambed 35

Cultural Resources

Cultural resources include archaeological sites, historic buildings, artifacts, and other items or locations important to past or present cultures. Archaeological resources include material evidence

Draft Version - 62

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

of past human behavior and land use. Archaeological sites contain artifacts (portable objects) and features (non-portable evidence of past activities such as pits, postholes, or middens). They provide information about past human behavior, subsistence practices, social organization, and religious practices. . Archaeological sites in the Cumberland River Basin represent over 15,000 years of human occupation. Archaeological sites dating to the Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, and Historic periods are represented throughout the basin. The locations of historic occupation now form archaeological sites. Sites are categorized into several types including temporary camps, procurement areas, habitation sites, villages, cemeteries, among others.

Unlike other reservoirs in the Nashville District, a pre-inundation cultural resource survey of Dale Hollow Lake was not conducted (McElway et al. 1998:7)). Therefore, we lack information on the aboriginal settlement pattern of the Obey River. In 1997, limited archaeological investigations were conducted for recreation areas and portions of the Dale Hollow shoreline. Archaeologists recorded 41 archaeological sites during these investigations. Additional archaeological surveys have been conducted for specific development projects. While historic buildings are located in towns surrounding Dale Hollow Lake, buildings on Corps lands were razed prior to the inundation. A total of 47 sites have been recorded: however, given that less than 5% of the project lands have been surveyed, this number underrepresents the actual number of archaeological sites at Dale Hollow Lake.

The Dale Hollow Dam and Hydroelectric Plant is an important cultural resource in its own right. The Dale Hollow project is a historic property eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic places due to its association with the development of the region (criterion a) and for the engineering and design (criterion c) at the local, regional and national levels. Tennessee State Historical Marker at the Dam commemorates the importance.

Socioeconomics

2-13.A Demographics The region of demographic significance being considered is the general market area in which the reservoir is situated and is confined in one geographic area is referred to as the Primary Area Counties (PAC). The Primary Area consists of Clay, Pickett and Overton counties in Tennessee and Clinton and Cumberland counties in Kentucky.

Population growth for the Primary Counties (13%) was slightly behind the States of Kentucky, Tennessee and the Nation as a whole (19%) from 1990 through 2010. However, Clay County, TN and Cumberland County, KY growth rates were well behind other Primary Counties from 1990 through 2010 which was 8% and 1% respectively. Population projections for the Primary County Area shows that growth in the area will be limited.

Draft Version - 63

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Table 2.14 - Historic and projected populations for the Primary Area Counties

% Change County 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 from 1990- 2010

Clay County, 7,238 7,976 7,861 8,162 8,162 8% TN

Pickett 4,548 4,945 5,077 4,544 4,454 10% County, TN

Overton 17,636 20,118 22,083 21,693 23,016 20% County, TN

Clinton 9,135 9,634 10,272 10,220 10,216 11% County, KY

Cumberland 6,784 7,147 6,856 6,585 6,111 1% County, KY

State of 4,877,185 5,689,283 6,346,105 6,860,231 7,397,302 23% Tennessee

State of 3,685,296 4,041,769 4,339,367 4,843,219 5,235,685 15% Kentucky

249,600,00 282,200,00 309,300,00 333,896,00 The Nation 358,471,000 19% 0 0 0 0

Source: Tennessee Data Center UTK, Kentucky State Data Center

Table 2.15 displays the historic population of the Primary Cities within the Primary Counties. As shown the growth rate in these cities is stagnant.

Table 2.15 - Primary city population data

City 1990 2000 2010 2016

Celina, TN 1,493 1,379 1,495 1,488

Byrdstown, TN 998 903 803 815

Draft Version - 64

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

City 1990 2000 2010 2016

Livingston, TN 3,809 3,498 4,058 4,062

Albany, KY 2,062 2,220 2,033 2,016

Burkeville, KY 1,815 1,756 1,521 1,509

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Table 2.16, below displays the proportion of urban dwellers versus rural dwellers. As shown the Primary County Area’s population is predominately rural as to where their residence is located. The population makeup of the PAC’s differs vastly from the state in which they are located with the exception of Overton County, TN, which somewhat mirrors the State of Tennessee.

Table 2.16 - Proportion of urban and rural populations, 2016

County Urban Rural

Clay County, TN 0% 100%

Overton County, TN 16% 84%

Pickett County, TN 0% 100%

Clinton County, KY 0% 100%

Cumberland County, KY 0% 100%

Commonwealth of Kentucky 80% 20%

State of Tennessee 80.7% 19.3%

Source: City-Data

The PCA population is primarily white. Of the just over 52,100 people living in the PCA approximately 49,900 or 95.7% are white. The Hispanic/Latino and Black population in the PCA makes up on average 1.4% and 1.5% respectively. Table 2.17, below displays the population makeup of the PCA.

Table 2.17 - Primary area county population diversity

Draft Version - 65

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

American Two or Hispanic/ Indian/ County White Black More Latino Alaska Ethnicities Native

Clay County, TN 94.8% 2.3% 1.4% 0.8% 0.7%

Overton County, TN 96.4% 1.3% 1.1% 0.7% 0.5%

Pickett County, TN 96.9% 0.6% 0.7% 0.0% 1.8%

Clinton County, KY 96.0% 2.8% 0.7% 0.0% 0.5%

Cumberland County, KY 94.3% 0.0% 3.4% 0.0% 1.6%

Source: City-Data

The PAC median age is presented in Table 2.18. All counties in the PAC has a higher median age than their respective states. Pickett County, Tennessee has the highest median age of 49.9 just over 10-years higher than the State of Tennessee’s median age.

Table 2.18 - Primary area county median age

County Median Age

Clay County, TN 47.5

Overton County, TN 42.7

Pickett County, TN 49.9

Clinton County, KY 41.0

Cumberland County, KY 45.3

PAC Median Age Average 45.3

State of Tennessee 38.6

Commonwealth of Kentucky 38.7

Source: City-Data

The PAC’s high school graduate or higher rate is slightly below that of the respective state by roughly 6% to 8% on average. There is a larger discrepancy of those who have obtained a

Draft Version - 66

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake bachelor’s degree or higher. The Primary Area’s average of bachelor’s degree or higher for the PAC is 12.8% while the State of Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s average is 23%. Table 2.19, below displays the PAC’s education level.

Table 2.19 - Primary area county education level (percentage of people 25 years or older)

H.S Graduate or Bachelors Degree County Higher or Higher

Clay County, TN 76.7% 14.2%

Overton County, TN 78.7% 14.3%

Pickett County, TN 77.6% 9.5%

Clinton County, KY 71.5% 11.3%

Cumberland County, KY 78.9% 14.7%

State of Tennessee 84.0% 24.0%

Commonwealth of Kentucky 83.0% 22.0%

Source: City-Data

2-13.B Economics Table 2.20 through Table 2.24 displays percentage of employment by major industry for each county in the PAC as compared to its respective state.

Table 2.20 - Clay County, TN 2016 employment percentages by major industry

Clay County, Industry TN State of TN

Civilian employed 16 years and older 2,522 2,937,131

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, Mining 3.3% 1.0%

Construction 9.2% 6.3%

Manufacturing 19.9% 13.0%

Wholesale Trade 0.0% 2.6%

Retail Trade 11.4% 12.2%

Draft Version - 67

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 4.6% 6.3%

Information 1.8% 1.9%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, Leasing 4.8% 5.7%

Professional. Scientific, Management, Admin, Waste 6.7% 9.5% Management

Educational Services, Health Care, Social Assistance 24.3% 22.7%

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, Food Services 5.8% 9.4%

Other Services (except Public Administration) 4.0% 4.9%

Public Administration (Including government) 4.2% 4.4%

Table 2.21 - Overton County, Tennessee 2016 employment percentages by major industry

Overton Industry State of TN County, TN

Civilian employed 16 years and older 8,789 2,937,131

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, Mining 3.8% 1.0%

Construction 9.0% 6.3%

Manufacturing 16.9% 13.0%

Wholesale Trade 2.3% 2.6%

Retail Trade 11.5% 12.2%

Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 7.3% 6.3%

Information 1.3% 1.9%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, Leasing 3.2% 5.7%

Professional. Scientific, Management, Admin, Waste 5.3% 9.5% Management

Draft Version - 68

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Educational Services, Health Care, Social Assistance 23.9% 22.7%

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, Food Services 7.6% 9.4%

Other Services (except Public Administration) 4.7% 4.9%

Public Administration (Including government) 3.0% 4.4%

Table 2.22 - Pickett County, Tennessee 2016 employment percentages by major industry

Pickett County, Industry State of TN TN

Civilian employed 16 years and older 2,055 2,937,131

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, Mining 6.9% 1.0%

Construction 5.8% 6.3%

Manufacturing 14.0% 13.0%

Wholesale Trade 0.2% 2.6%

Retail Trade 6.4% 12.2%

Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 8.8% 6.3%

Information 0.7% 1.9%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, Leasing 4.2% 5.7%

Professional. Scientific, Management, Admin, Waste 4.5% 9.5% Management

Educational Services, Health Care, Social Assistance 30.3% 22.7%

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, Food Services 8.0% 9.4%

Other Services (except Public Administration) 4.1% 4.9%

Public Administration (Including government) 6.0% 4.4%

Draft Version - 69

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Table 2.23 - Clinton County, KY 2016 employment percentages by major industry

Clinton County, State of KY Industry KY

Civilian employed 16 years and older 3,589 1,914,189

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, Mining 4.5% 2.5%

Construction 4.5% 5.9%

Manufacturing 25.0% 14.3%

Wholesale Trade 2.6% 2.5%

Retail Trade 7.5% 12.0%

Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 4.7% 6.0%

Information 0.3% 1.7%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, Leasing 2.8% 5.5%

Professional. Scientific, Management, Admin, Waste 2.2% 7.9% Management

Educational Services, Health Care, Social Assistance 27.1% 24.0%

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, Food Services 8.5% 8.8%

Other Services (except Public Administration) 3.5% 4.6%

Public Administration (Including government) 6.8% 4.4%

Table 2.24 - Cumberland County, KY 2016 employment percentages by major industry

Cumberland State of KY Industry County, KY

Civilian employed 16 years and older 2,433 1,914,189

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, Mining 2.7% 2.5%

Construction 5.5% 5.9%

Draft Version - 70

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Cumberland State of KY Industry County, KY

Manufacturing 24.8% 14.3%

Wholesale Trade 1.6% 2.5%

Retail Trade 7.3% 12.0%

Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities 5.8% 6.0%

Information 1.1% 1.7%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, Leasing 3.0% 5.5%

Professional. Scientific, Management, Admin, Waste 5.3% 7.9% Management

Educational Services, Health Care, Social Assistance 26.6% 24.0%

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, Food Services 6.7% 8.8%

Other Services (except Public Administration) 4.2% 4.6%

Public Administration (Including government) 5.5% 4.4%

Table 2.25, below displays the Primary Area County historic unemployment rate from 2005 – 2017. The historic county unemployment rates are generally higher than their respective state’s rate. In 2010 all counties and states were still experiencing higher than normal unemployment rates due to the Nation’s economic downturn, but as can be seen all counties recovered.

Table 2.25 - Primary area county historic unemployment rates

County 2005 2010 2015 2017

Clay County, TN 11.5% 12.1% 8.9% 5.1%

Overton County, TN 5.8% 10.7% 7.1% 4.1%

Pickett County, TN 8.5% 11.1% 7.6% 4.4%

Clinton County, KY 6.4% 11.0% 8.2% 6.6%

Draft Version - 71

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

County 2005 2010 2015 2017

Cumberland County, KY 7.9% 11.8% 6.0% 5.3%

State of Tennessee 5.6% 9.7% 5.6% 3.7%

Commonwealth of Kentucky 6.2% 10.2% 5.3% 4.9%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Table 2.26 - Primary area county median annual income

County 1999 2016

Clay County, TN $23,958 $29,339

Overton County, TN $26,915 $36,550

Pickett County, TN $24,673 $40,666

Clinton County, KY $19,563 $31,103

Cumberland County, KY $21,572 $34,639

State of Tennessee NA $48,547

Commonwealth of Kentucky NA $46,659

Source: City-Data

Table 2.26, above presents the Primary Area County median annual income for 1999 and 2016. The PAC annual median income increased approximately 47% between 1999 and 2016. However, the counties still trail their respective states annual median income by over 27%.

USACE provides water-based recreation opportunities throughout the country which in turn provide economic benefits to the local and regional economies. To estimate the economic impact from recreation related spending at these projects, USACE, in collaboration with researchers at Michigan State University (MSU), developed the Recreation Economics Assessment System (REAS). The REAS model is an economic input-output model that was developed for all USACE projects based on recreation visits in 2016 and a set of economic ratios and multipliers for a region. During 2016 Dale Hollow reservoir accumulated over 890,000 visits. Using available survey data, it is estimated that visitor spending at Dale Hollow Reservoir to be $35.0 million. Dale Hollow Reservoir generates 319 jobs within 30-miles of the lake. It is also estimated that the reservoir is responsible for $8.5 million in labor income within 30-miles of the lake. (MSU, USACE 2016)

Draft Version - 72

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Recreation Facilities, Activities and Needs

The recreational opportunities at Dale Hollow Lake are considered to be of great importance to north central Tennessee and South East Kentucky. The project offers many recreational activities such as swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, hunting, picnicking, camping, enjoying nature and wildlife, and biking.

2-14.A Zones of Influence Dale Hollow is located within 500 miles, or a day’s travel, of the main population base of the United States (Figure 2-18). Actual public use is comprised of: 1) use from the local area; 2) weekenders from the adjacent communities in the region; and 3) destination users spending days to weeks from the further centers. Customer survey cards from 2004-2013 polled over 2,225 visitors to Corps recreation areas around the lake. A third of those comment cards reported to live in the 5-county area surrounding Dale Hollow Lake, with 229 comment card respondents claiming the Celina area as home. Keeping in mind that the customer survey cards are being a sample of visitation trends to Corps managed recreation areas, 406 (nearly 20%) respondents live outside the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, 338 (15%) of which report to reside in Ohio and Indiana.

Figure 2-18 - Distances (miles) as the crow flies from Dale Hollow Lake

Draft Version - 73

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

With visitation trends extending beyond regional areas, and the demand for access to Dale Hollow Lake from guests residing hundreds of miles away indicated a continued and possibly increasing desire for recreation opportunities.

Figure 2-19 - Density of visitor home zip codes from customer comment surveys

Draft Version - 74

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

2-14.B Visitation Profile Visitors to Dale Hollow Lake are a diverse group ranging from campers who enjoy the four campgrounds at the lake, hunters who use the Wildlife Management Areas associated with Dale Hollow, day users who picnic and use playgrounds, marina customers accessing the water, and many other user groups. Visitation on Dale Hollow Lake is at its highest during the months of April to September, and is significantly lower during the cold months of November to March (OMBIL, 2017).

Visitation to Dale Hollow Lake is consistently one of the top 100 most visited Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation, ranked the eighty-first most visited in fiscal year 2016 (VERS, 2019). Recent trends in visitation, shown in Table 2.27, indicate about 1 million visits to Dale Hollow Lake annually.

Table 2.27 - Visitation at Dale Hollow Lake by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year Number of Visits to Dale Hollow Lake (October to September)

FY 2016 1,080,433

FY 2015 763,318

FY 2014 899,460

It should be noted that at the time of publication of this Master Plan, the Corps of Engineers is undergoing a reassessment and modification of the way visitation counts are calculated across the nation. As a result the new visitation data collection is becoming more precise and has resulted in a drop in visitation numbers at Dale Hollow Lake and across the Corps based on the new procedures used to collect and calculate project visitation.

In addition to overall visitation numbers, utilization data gives a picture of how frequently the campground facilities are being occupied. Figure 2-20 and Figure 2-21 show campground utilization data for Dale Hollow Lake’s campgrounds, Obey River, Dale Hollow Dam, Lillydale, and Willow Grove. This data is from the national reservation system, NRRS. Nationally speaking in FY17, Dale Hollow Dam (55.77%) and Obey River Park (52.51%) both had a utilization rate over 50% putting them in the top 20% of most utilized Corps of Engineers campgrounds in the nation with over 500 campgrounds reporting use rates. The high utilization of these areas speaks to the value and importance the public places on these amenities and the enjoyment they offer to visitors.

Draft Version - 75

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

CAMPGROUND UTILIZATION 55.77% 55.10% 53.66% 52.51% 51.98% 51.95% 51.69% 49.69% 48.54% 43.94% 43.81% 43.76% 43.15% 41.63%

DALE HOLLOW DAMSITE OBEY RIVER FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18

Figure 2-20 - Campground Total Percent Usage (Days Available/Days Occupied) by Fiscal Year for Dale Hollow Damsite and Obey River Campgrounds

CAMPGROUND UTILIZATION 43.66% 43.18% 43.15% 42.21% 41.30% 41.24% 40.37% 38.07% 37.82% 37.30% 35.97% 35.87% 35.76% 32.62%

LILLYDALE WILLOW GROVE FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18

Figure 2-21 - Campground Total Percent Usage (Days Available/Days Occupied) by Fiscal Year for Lillydale and Willow Grove Campgrounds

Draft Version - 76

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

2-14.C Recreation Analysis The Tennessee 2020 Vision for Parks, People & Landscapes, the document serving as the state’s comprehensive outdoor recreation plan (SCORP) (TDEC, 2009), stated, “Access to nearby parks and recreation centers, like fire and police protection, is essential to the wellbeing of every resident.” A survey for input to the Tennessee SCORP found that 90% of those surveyed found water quality to be extremely important, rating it the highest conservation priority for the state. This statewide recreation plan indicates the importance of a balanced approach to managing public lands that takes serious consideration of both the public’s access to recreation, parks and outdoors, as well as the protection of natural resources.

Two of the ten statements of need identified in the Tennessee 2020 Plan tie directly into the recreation and environmental stewardship missions of Dale Hollow Lake and how the Corps can support them:

#3: The need of Tennessee’s cities and counties to provide diverse, close-to-home recreation opportunities for all their residents.

The Tennessee 2020 Vision lists three types of unmet needs in providing diverse and local recreation opportunities in counties across Tennessee. One of the unmet needs is counties without a recreation delivery system, meaning that there are no municipal or county parks and recreation departments. Three of the 24 counties in Tennessee without a recreation delivery system are in the Dale Hollow Lake area: Clay County, Overton County and Picket County. The Corps of Engineers at Dale Hollow Lake offers parks and recreation opportunities to residents of these and surrounding counties, and offers water-based recreation in addition to land-based which is an asset to the region.

#9: The need of communities for more opportunities to enjoy and protect their local rivers, streams and creeks.

A 2009 Tennessee Recreation Attitudes and Behavior survey found that protecting water quality is one of the public’s highest conservation priorities. Water has a unique draw to it and brings people in to enjoy recreational activities. Dale Hollow Lake can continue to offer opportunities to enjoy the main pool. The lake will also collaborate with partner organizations to work towards a connected paddle access system along the tributaries flowing into Dale Hollow Lake, as well as the already popular Obey River below Dale Hollow Dam.

The State of Kentucky conducted a survey in 2015 as part of the development process for the Kentucky Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) (Outdoor Recration in Kentucky Assessment, Policies and Actions, 2014-2019). The results of the survey found that 89% of the surveyed population of Kentucky (down 3% from 2008) rate outdoor recreation importance as

Draft Version - 77

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

desirable or essential. Respondents also reported a 22% increase in time involved in outdoor recreation (down 3% from 2008).

Within the SCORP, Kentucky is divided into 15 Area Development Districts (ADD). The staff of each ADD provides planning and other services to their counties. Development District (14) Lake Cumberland Area Development District covers the following counties: Taylor, Adair, Green, Casey, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, Cumberland, Wayne, and McCreary. The counties of Clinton and Cumberland are located within the Dale Hollow Lake boundary and suggested development includes improvements to city and county parks.

Dale Hollow Lake and the surrounding area provide a unique hub for outdoor recreation, with several federal and state agencies managing public lands and waters in Kentucky and Tennessee. Immediately below Dale Hollow Dam, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) operates Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery; which raises several species of trout for stocking in both Dale Hollow Lake and the Obey River as well as other areas throughout the state to enhance fisheries and promote outdoor recreation. Additionally, the Corps leases land to the State of Kentucky to operate both Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park and Trooper Island. These areas offer numerous opportunities for land and water based recreation that will be discussed thoroughly in the site description chapter of this Master Plan

These two statewide recreation plans indicate the importance of a balanced approach to managing public lands that takes serious consideration of both the public’s access to recreation, parks and outdoors, as well as the protection of natural resources.

2-14.D Recreational Carrying Capacity Carrying capacity has a number of connotations. Natural science disciplines view carrying capacity in terms of resource degradation and restoration. Site planners view capacity in relation to areas and sizes required to conduct activities effectively. Sociologists and psychologists are concerned about behavior and human interactions and their effect on the quality of the activity experience. Administrators consider capacity in relation to policies, management, and flexibility. Recreational carrying capacity generally relates to social capacity and resource capacity. Social capacity is the level of use beyond which the user does not achieve a reasonable level of satisfaction in their recreational experience.

Carrying capacity is defined as the maximum potential level of use, which avoids overuse or overcrowding. Studies have shown that in evaluating the carrying capacity of water-based recreation, social capacity factors (overcrowding) were generally more important than resource capacity factors (overuse).

“Carrying capacity” at a project like Dale Hollow Lake is difficult to quantify merely by statistics on numbers of visitors or boats, types of uses or users, trends of adjacent development, changing

Draft Version - 78

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

demographics, or other selected social or environmental factors. Much of the determination of overcrowding, in particular, tends to be subjective. One hunter may think that having another hunter in his area of the woods is too much. Some user groups prefer to congregate in large social groups, while others prefer more spacing and smaller groups at picnic areas, swim beaches, or campgrounds. At heavily used boat ramps or large marinas, congestion at the point of access may be a serious problem during heavy use periods, but overcrowding quickly is relieved a short distance from these facilities as users have a large area in which to disperse.

Studies also indicate that overcrowding tends to exert a self-regulating force. As one area becomes increasingly crowded so that it impacts users’ comfort levels, the user is likely to go elsewhere. There are times and places that are exceptions; at the busiest holiday seasons at the largest and most accessible facilities, or at minor accesses with limited parking. Due to the current federal funding environment, the likelihood of building new recreation areas on Dale Lake is low, though the Corps is open to partnering to expand recreation opportunities if an appropriate situation presents itself. However increasing diversity in outdoor recreation opportunities in the region acts as a regulating force to disperse outdoor enthusiasts to sites across Middle Tennessee.

Since the 1977 Master Plan Update, the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) now transitioned to Recreation.gov has been implemented nationwide. It allows the public to reserve specific campsites up to 180 days in advance and group picnic shelters up to 365 days or 1 year in advance. This service can be accessed at www.recreation.gov, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This heavily utilized program allows the public to customer service nationwide trip and vacation planning for open areas that alert vacancies well in advance and helps to alleviate overcrowding.

At this time, and into the foreseeable future, the Corps has no plans of actively limiting uses beyond those already in place, such as routing users to other areas if a particular campground is full, restricting parking to designated parking spaces, ensuring that marinas do not install more moorage slips than their parking lots can accommodate associated vehicles, etc. If future public use increases to the extent that significant use conflicts occur, a formal carrying capacity study may be warranted if it could lead to solutions not available in the absence of such a report. At this time, such a study would have minimal meaningful utility.

Project Access

Dale Hollow Lake can be accessed by road from many major metropolitan areas. The nearest major interstate in the immediate area is I-40 running east- west 35 miles due south of the lake. The major town nearest Dale Hollow Lake is Livingston Tennessee, located on the southern middle portion of the lake. Dale Hollow Dam is located in Celina, Tennessee.

Draft Version - 79

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

From Nashville: Take I-40 East approximately 65 miles to Exit 280 Baxter-Gainesboro, Tennessee. From there follow US-56 North to Gainesboro, then straight on US Highway 53 N approximately 20 miles to reach Celina, Tennessee.

From Knoxville: Take I-40 West approximately 100 miles to Highway 111 Sparta-Livingston, Exit 288 in Cookeville, Tennessee. From there follow 111 north approximately 17 miles to reach Livingston, Tennessee. From there follow TN-51 North approximately 14 miles to Dale Hollow Dam in Celina, TN.

From Chattanooga: Take US-27 North and TN-111 North approximately 80 miles to Livingston, Tennessee. From there follow TN-51 North approximately 14 miles to Dale Hollow Dam in Celina, TN.

Livingston, and Cookeville have small regional airports that provide easy access to the recreational amenities at the state parks as well as the Dale Hollow Lake area. The closest international airport is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Real Estate Acquisition Policy

The guideline for land acquisition was generally to acquire fee simple title from the old river bed to three feet above the flood control pool (663 ft. elevation of the dam). Additional lands were acquired at the damsite for access, construction and various other purposes. Due to the remoteness of the area and lack of access, several tracts were acquired in their entirety to avoid paying the former landowner excessive severance costs (fencing, providing new access, etc.). This resulted in several large tracts of land on peninsulas around the lake. Lands acquired in excess of the general guidelines for acquisition have since been utilized for several varying purposes, including recreation, public parks and marina sites and wildlife management areas.

Applicable Public Laws

Development and management of federal reservoirs for various purposes is provided for under various statues. These laws cover development of recreation facilities, licensing of project lands for fish and wildlife purposes, protection of natural and cultural resources, and leasing of public lands for incidental uses other than recreation.

2-17.A RECREATION AUTHORITIES Development and management of recreation facilities by the Corps, other government agencies, local groups, or individuals is authorized under the following public laws:

Draft Version - 80

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

• Water Resources Policies and Authorities- Recreation Planning, Development, and Management Policies, ER 1165-2-400, sets forth the basic policies for recreation management at Corps projects. Among other things, this document outlines the Corps’ goal to provide economical and quality recreational opportunities in consonance with the wise use of natural resources. It calls for public and agency participation in the planning process for recreation, consistent with the authorized project proposes, protection of the visual and physical characteristics of public lands and waters, elimination of unauthorized structures and habitation on project lands, and prevention of conflicts between various user groups and activities. It also provides for the collection of user fees by the Corps and non-federal entities operating authorized recreation facilities on Corps projects. Critically, this regulation discourages any form of private exclusive use, except for docks authorized under the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). • Freedom to Fish Act (PL 113-13), as modified by Section 2012 of WRRDA 2014. This law directs the Nashville District to cease implementing its permanent 24/7 waterborne restrictions, to not take any action to establish a permanent physical barrier in connection with restricted areas, and transferred the sole responsibility of enforcement of restricted areas to the States. The President signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 on June 10, 2014. Section 2012 of the Act extends the moratorium imposed by the Freedom to Fish Act on when a new or modified restricted areas could be implemented or enforced to June 10, 2018. • Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (PL 113-121) grants the Secretary of the Army the authority to establish and collect fees for Special Use Permits and the provision of outdoor recreation equipment associated with activities that require Special Use Permits. It further authorizes the Secretary of the Army to participate in the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program in the same manner as other federal agencies, including the provision of free annual passes to active duty military personnel and dependents. Additionally, Section 1035 addresses requests from marinas for floating cabins and associated docks within the Cumberland River Basin. • Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 327.23-Recreation Use Fees requires that the District Commander insure that clear notice of all fee requirements is prominently posted at each area and that notice is included in publications distributed at such areas. The failure to pay authorized recreation use fees is prohibited and punishable by a fine of not more than $100. Additionally, America the Beautiful (ATB) Inter Agency Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual and access passes permittees are entitled to use special recreation facilities at a rate of 50 percent off and also provide free entry to day use areas when properly displayed at federally operated areas. • Flood Control Act of 1968, Section 201, (PL 90-483) authorizes the Corps to establish and collect fees for the use of developed recreation sites and facilities, including campsites, swimming beaches, and boat launching ramps. Fees collected under this authority shall be

Draft Version - 81

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

deposited into the Treasury account for the Corps established by Section 4(i) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. The Corps is prohibited from collecting entrance or admission fees at public recreation areas located at lakes and reservoirs under its administrative jurisdiction.

2-17.B REAL ESTATE AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING USE FEES • Public Buildings, Property, and Works Act, as amended, (the Property Act), 40 U.S.C. Section 101, et seq and General Services Administration (GSA) implementing rules in the Federal Management Regulations (FMR) (formerly the 1949 Act) GSA issues implementing regulations for the Property Act. The Army is the Disposal Agent on fee less than $50,000 and disposals less than fee interests such as easements. Special authority for disposing of land for public port and industrial facilities is further designated in Section 108 of the Act of Congress (PL 86-465). • Flood Control Act of 1954, Section 209 (PL 83-780), approved September 3, 1954, amended the Flood Control Act of 1944 and authorizes the Secretary of the Army to grant leases to federal, state, or local governmental agencies without monetary considerations for use and occupation of land and water areas under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army for park and recreation purposes when in the public interest. • Title 10, United States Code, Section 2667 authorizes the lease of land at water resources projects for any commercial or private purpose not inconsistent with other authorized purposes, subject to specific restrictions thereupon, as set out in regulations, policy, and Delegations of Authority. • Title 16, United States Code, Section 460d authorizes the use of public lands for any public purpose, including fish and wildlife, if it is in the public interest. Such uses are also subject to regulations, policy, and Delegations of Authority. The use of project lands for easements and licenses is authorized in various Congressional Acts and codified in Titles 10, 16, 30, 32, and 43 of the United States Code. Lands and rights-of-way will be acquired pursuant to provisions of the Uniform Real Property Acquisition and Relocation Assistance Act of 1970 (PL 91-646), as amended. • The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (PL 88-578) contains provisions by which the Corps may charge for admission and use of its recreation areas under prescribed conditions. • Omnibus Budget Act- Day Use Fees (PL 103-66) contains provisions by which the Corps may collect fees for the use of developed recreation sites and facilities, including campsites, swimming beaches, and boat launching ramps, but excluding a site or facilities which includes only a boat launching ramp and a courtesy dock.

Draft Version - 82

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

• Title 10, United States Code, Section 2695 authorizes the acceptance of funds to cover administrative expenses related to certain real property transactions.

2-17.C CIVIL WORKS • The Federal Water Project Recreation Act (PL 89-72) contains cost sharing provisions for acquisition of lands and development of recreation facilities for water resources projects authorized after 1965. It also provides for cost sharing development of new areas that were not part of initial project construction. • The Rivers and Harbors Act (PL 79-14) specifies the rights and interests of the states in watershed development and water utilization and control, and the requirements for cooperation with state agencies in planning for flood control and navigation improvements. • The Flood Control Act, Section 4 (PL 78-534) authorizes providing facilities for public use, including recreation and conservation of fish and wildlife. • The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, Section 14 authorizes the Secretary of the Army, on the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to grant permission for the alteration, occupation, or use of a Corps civil works project if the Secretary determines that the activity will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the project.

2-17.D ACCESS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES • The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (PL 90-480), together with the Acts and Amendments listed below, provides information and guidance regarding universal accessibility for persons with disabilities to Corps recreation facilities and programs. o The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PL 93-112) and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974 (PL 93-516) o The Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (PL 95-602) o The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (PL 101-336) 2-17.E ENVIRONMENTAL • The Clean Water Act of 1972 (PL 95-217) establishes a national goal of eliminating all pollutant discharges into U.S. waters by 1985. This Act requires that Federal agencies comply with all laws regarding control and abatement of water pollution and that disposal sites for the discharge of dredged or fill material be specified through the Environmental Protection Agency. • National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL 91-190), as amended, declares a national environmental policy and requires that all federal agencies, to the fullest extent possible, use a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which integrates natural and social sciences and environmental design arts in planning and decision making.

Draft Version - 83

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

2-17.F FISH AND WILDLIFE Fish and wildlife resources are maintained and protected in compliance with the following public laws:

• The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (PL 79-732), as amended, provides authority for making project lands of value for wildlife purposes available for management by interested federal and state wildlife agencies. It further provides for more effective integration of a fish and wildlife conservation program with federal water resources developments. • Endangered Species Act of 1973 (PL 93-205), as amended, requires that federal agencies shall, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services or the National Marine Fisheries Service, use their authorities in furtherance of conserving endangered and threatened species and take such actions as necessary to assure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize such species or destroy or modify their critical habitat. • Water Resources Development Act of 1986, Section 1135 (PL 99-662) provides for modifications in the structures or operations of a project, consistent with authorized project purposes to improve the quality of the environment, such as restoration of fish and wildlife habitat.

2-17.G FOREST RESOURCES • The Forest Conservation Act (PL 86-717) provides for the protection of forest cover in reservoir areas of projects for flood control, navigation, hydroelectric power development, and other related purposes under the jurisdiction of the Corps. The projects shall be developed and maintained to encourage, promote, and assure fully adequate and dependable future resources of readily available timber. Policies developed pursuant to this Act shall be coordinated with the Secretary of Agriculture and appropriate State conservation agencies.

2-17.H CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES A number of laws mandating the protection of cultural resources on public lands have been passed during the past 100 years. The following laws subsume, clarify, or supersede all previous cultural resource laws:

• The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 89-665) established a program for the preservation of historic properties throughout the nation, including requirements for federal agencies to take into account the effects of undertakings on historic properties. • The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (PL 96-95) protects archaeological resources and sites that are on public and Indian lands and fosters increased cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities, the professional community, and private individuals.

Draft Version - 84

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

• The 1980 Historic Preservation Amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (PL 96-515) outlines a policy of preserving, restoring, and maintaining cultural resources and requires that federal agencies take into account the effect of any undertaking on any site eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. • The Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1979 (PL 96-95) provides for the preservation of historical and archaeological data which might otherwise be lost or destroyed as the result of flooding or any alteration of the terrain caused by any federal construction projects. • The Archaeological and Historical Data Conservation Act of 1974 (PL 93-291) provides for the preservation of significant scientific, pre-historical, historical, or archaeological data that might be lost or destroyed as a result of various federal actions.

2-17.I OTHER CULTURAL AND HISTORIC LAWS • The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (PL 101-601) requires federal agencies and museums to inventory human remains and associated funerary objects and to provide culturally affiliated tribes with the inventory of the collection. The Act requires repatriation, on request, to the culturally affiliated tribes and established a priority of custody to descendants or tribes for inadvertent discoveries of federal and tribal lands. • Antiquity Act of 1906 (PL 59-209) establishes the role of the Federal government in the protection, preservation, and public availability of the historic, architectural, and archaeological resources of the nation. This Act requires a permit to research historical and cultural resources on Federal property and establishes penalties for destruction of antiquities on Federal land. • The Historic Sites Act of 1935 (PL 74-292) specifically establishes a national policy to preserve prehistoric sites of national significance. It directs the National Park Service to make the necessary investigations to obtain true and accurate facts and information related to these sites. • Water Resources and Development Act of 2000, Section 208 (PL 106-541) allows for the reburial of Native American remains recovered from Corps Civil Works projects. In consultation with affected Indian tribes, the Secretary of the Army may identify and set aside areas at civil works projects of the Department of the Army that may be used to rebury Native American remains that have been discovered on project land and have been rightfully claimed by a lineal descendant or Indian tribe in accordance with applicable Federal law.

Draft Version - 85

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 3 Resource Objectives and Goals

Primary Goals

The terms “goal” and “objective” are often defined as synonymous, but in the context of this Master Plan, goals express the overall desired end state of the Master Plan whereas resource objectives are the specific task-oriented actions necessary to achieve the overall Master Plan goals.

The primary goals of the Master Plan are to prescribe an overall land use management plan, resource objectives and associated design and management concepts. The following expresses the goals for the Dale Hollow Lake Master Plan.

• GOAL A - Provide the best management practices to respond to regional needs, resource capabilities and suitabilities, and expressed public interests consistent with authorized project purposes. • GOAL B - Protect and manage project natural and cultural resources through sustainable environmental stewardship programs. • GOAL C - Provide public outdoor recreation opportunities that support project purposes and public demands created by the project itself while sustaining project natural resources. • GOAL D - Recognize the particular qualities, characteristics and potentials of the project. • GOAL E - Provide consistency and compatibility with national objectives and other state and regional goals and programs.

Resource Objectives

Resource objectives are defined as clearly written statements that respond to identified issues and that specify measurable and attainable activities for resource development and/or management of the lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Nashville District, Dale Hollow Lake Project Office. The objectives stated in this document support the goals of the Master Plan, Environmental Operating Principles (EOPs) and applicable national performance measures. They are consistent with authorized project purposes, Federal laws and directives, regional needs, resource capabilities, and take public input into consideration. Recreational and natural resources carrying capacities are also accounted for during development of the objectives found in this Master Plan. Both the Kentucky and Tennessee State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP) were considered as well. The objectives in this Master Plan, to the best extent possible, aim to maximize project benefits, meet public needs and foster environmental sustainability for Dale Hollow Lake.

Draft Version - 86

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

3-02.A Recreational Objectives • Evaluate the demand for improved recreation facilities and increased public access on Corps-managed public lands and water for recreational activities (i.e. camping, walking, hiking, biking, boating, hunting, scuba diving, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography, etc.) and facilities (i.e. campsites, picnic facilities, overlooks, all types of trails, boat ramps, courtesy docks, interpretive signs/exhibits and parking lots). Goal A, C • Consider and provide an equal recreational opportunity for a spectrum of public use, providing equal opportunity for all, including individuals, families, groups, youth, elderly and handicapped, with a variety of recreational facilities. Goal A, C, E • Evaluate demand for commercial facilities on public lands and waters. Goal A, C • Ensure consistency with national USACE recreation missions. Leverage opportunities to partner through outgrants and/or other means to continue to provide recreational services where funding is constrained. Goal E • Reference the Tennessee Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and the Kentucky Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan to ensure consistency in achieving recreation goals. Goal E

3-02.B Natural Resource Management Objectives • Coordinate with state and federal agencies to actively manage and protect fish and wildlife populations and habitats. Identify and protect special status species by implementing ecosystem management principles. Goal A, B, D, E • Maintain the natural qualities and historic vegetative cover of federally managed lands to enhance aesthetic qualities of the environment, perform essential erosion control functions in support of the lake’s pristine water quality, and protect the natural character of the project’s resources. Goal A, D • Optimize resources, labor and partnerships for the prevention and control of exotic and invasive species. Goal B • Identify, manage, and protect unique or sensitive habitat areas to ensure the longevity of Dale Hollow’s irreplaceable natural and scenic features. Goal A, B, C, D, E • Stop unauthorized uses of public lands and waters such as: agricultural trespass, structures, clearing and/or alteration of vegetation, roadways, off-road vehicle (ORV) use, trash dumping and placement of advertising signs, and other activities that create negative environmental impacts. Goal A, B, C, D, E

3-02.C Cultural Resource Objectives • Recognize that project cultural resources are a part of the historic context and heritage of the United States and increase public awareness and education of regional history. Goal B, D, E

Draft Version - 87

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

• Identify and inventory all significant cultural resources (National Register or eligible properties) which occur within the project area as funds permit. Goal A, B, D, E • Maintain compliance with Section 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archeological Resources Protection Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act on public lands surrounding the lake. Goal B, D, E • Prevent the inadvertent loss of the project’s cultural resources from natural or human causes through a program of evaluation and protective or mitigative measures. Goal B, D, E

3-02.D Economic Impact Objectives • Balance economic and environmental interests involving Dale Hollow Lake. Goal A, B, C, D, E • Evaluate the type and extent of additional commercial development that is compatible with national Corps’ policy on both recreation and non-recreational outgrants and that may be sustained on public lands classified for High Density Recreation or Multiple Resource - Future/Inactive Recreation Areas. Goal A, B, C, D, E • Work with local communities to promote tourism and recreational use of the lake to favorably impact socioeconomic conditions surrounding the lake. Goal A, B, C, D, E

Environmental Operating Principles

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reaffirmed its commitment to the environment by formalizing a set of "Environmental Operating Principles" applicable to all its decision-making and programs.

These principles foster unity of purpose on environmental issues, reflect a new tone and direction for dialogue on environmental matters, and ensure that employees consider conservation, environmental preservation and restoration in all Corps activities.

Sustainability can only be achieved by the combined efforts of federal agencies, tribal, state and local governments, and the private sector; each doing its part, backed by the citizens of the world. These principles help the Corps define its role in that endeavor.

By implementing these principles, the Corps will continue its efforts to develop the scientific, economic and sociological measures to judge the effects of its projects on the environment and to seek better ways of achieving environmentally sustainable solutions. The principles are being integrated into all project management processes throughout the Corps.

The principles are consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Army Strategy for the Environment with its emphasis on sustainability and the triple bottom line of mission, environment and community, other environmental statutes, and the Water Resources Development Acts that govern Corps activities. They require the Corps to: Draft Version - 88

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

• Strive to achieve environmental sustainability. An environment maintained in a healthy, diverse and sustainable condition is necessary to support life. • Recognize the interdependence of life and the physical environment. Proactively consider environmental consequences of Corps programs and act accordingly in all appropriate circumstances. • Seek balance and synergy among human development activities and natural systems by designing economic and environmental solutions that support and reinforce one another. • Continue to accept corporate responsibility and accountability under the law for activities and decisions under our control that impact human health and welfare and the continued viability of natural systems. • Seek ways and means to assess and mitigate cumulative impacts to the environment; bring systems approaches to the full life cycle of our processes and work. • Build and share an integrated scientific, economic and social knowledge base that supports a greater understanding of the environment and impacts of our work. • Respect the views of individuals and groups interested in Corps activities, listen to them actively and learn from their perspective in the search to find innovative win-win solutions to the nation's problems that also protect and enhance the environment.

Draft Version - 89

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 4 Land Allocation, Classification, Water Surface and Project Easement Lands

Land management at Dale Hollow Lake is governed by the allocation and classification category to which each parcel is assigned based on authorized purpose, resource capability, and managerial direction for the future of the lake. Combined with the project-wide Resource Objectives in Chapter 3 and site-specific Resource Plans presented in Chapter 5, this land use plan provides a programmatic approach to the use, management, and development of all project lands at Dale Hollow Lake. Together, these elements are the core of this Master Plan.

Land Allocation

Project lands are allocated according to the congressionally authorized purposes for which they were acquired. The entire Dale Hollow Lake project has a land allocation of Project Operations, which means all project lands were originally purchased to provide safe, efficient operation of the project for its authorized purposes—hydropower generation and flood control. No specific parcels were acquired for or assigned to individual purposes of recreation, fish and wildlife conservation and enhancement, or mitigation. However, the presence of the lake has certainly provided secondary benefits of water supply, water quality, conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife, and recreation.

Land and Water Classification

Land Classification is the primary use for which project lands are managed. Project lands are zoned for development of resource management consistent with authorized project purposes and the provisions of NEPA and other Federal laws. The classification process fully defines the management and use of project lands and considers public preferences and needs, legislative authority, regional and project-specific resource requirements, and suitability. Management and use of the lands assigned to each of the land classifications are discussed in connection with the appropriate resource objectives in this section, and done with site-specifics in Chapter 5. The four categories of classification on Dale Hollow Lake are identified as: Project Operations, High Density Recreation, Environmentally Sensitive Area, and Multiple Resource Management Lands. Project maps delineating land according to the following classification are found in Appendix 10-03 , Classification Maps and Plates and acreages for each classification are noted.

Draft Version - 90

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

4-02.A Project Operations This category includes those lands required for the dam, spillway, powerhouse, switchyard, resource management and administrative offices, maintenance facilities, and other areas that are used solely for the operation of the project. While some reservoir operation functions such as hydropower generation fall outside the scope of the master planning process, designation of the portion of the project lands dedicated to supporting operations is an important part of the Master Plan. Uses that interfere with operational activities or compromise the safety and security of these areas cannot be allowed.

4-02.B High Density Recreation This classification includes land developed for intensive recreational activities for the visiting public including day use areas and campgrounds. These also include commercial concessions like marinas and resorts, and quasi-public areas such as summer camps. Dale Hollow Lake considers amenities to support “intensive” recreational activities to include features such as developed picnic areas, maintained swimming beaches, paved and developed boat launching facilities, campgrounds with services such as water and electric hook-ups, waterborne bath houses, structures that support recreation, and other recreation-based developed facilities.

4-02.C Environmentally Sensitive Areas This classification includes areas where scientific, ecological, cultural, or aesthetic features have been identified. Designation of these lands is not limited to just lands that are otherwise protected by laws such as the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, or applicable State statues. These areas must be considered by management to ensure they are not adversely impacted. Limited or no development of public use is allowed on these lands. No agricultural or grazing uses are permitted on these lands unless necessary for a specific resource management benefit. Some of the criteria for designating Environmentally Sensitive Areas at Dale Hollow Lake include:

• Federally listed threatened or endangered plant or animal species or unique habitat that supports sensitive species. • Rich species diversity, large mature native tree species, or ecologically sensitive plan/animal species. • High value nesting, resting, feeding, or roosting areas for sensitive species. • Visual buffer to adjacent private development, wildflower/wildlife viewing areas or natural landscape appeal. • Important water quality function serving to buffer runoff for streams, wetland, and erosion sensitive areas. • Presence or high probability of archeological, historical, or geological significance.

Draft Version - 91

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

4-02.D Multiple Resource Management Lands This classification allows for the designation of a predominate use as described by one of the sub- classifications below, with the understanding that other compatible uses described by other sub- classifications within this category may also occur on these lands. (e.g. a Low Density Recreation trail through an area designated as Wildlife Management). Land classification maps in Appendix 10- 03 , Classification Maps and Plates, reflect the predominant sub-classification, rather than just Multiple Resource Management. Site-specific management objectives and compatible uses for areas are found in Chapter 5.

Low Density Recreation

Low Density Recreation lands are designated for dispersed and/or low-impact recreation use. Emphasis is on providing opportunities for activities that have minimal impact on the surrounding environmental resources, such as hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, sightseeing, and nature study. Site- specific, low-impact activities, such as primitive camping and picnicking, may also be allowed. Development of facilities on these lands is limited to boat ramps, small gravel parking lots, unpaved trails, as well as rustic camping and picnic facilities (pit toilets, fire rings, and wood picnic tables).

Wildlife Management

These lands are managed predominately for the stewardship of fish and wildlife resources. They contain valuable wildlife habitat components that are maintained to yield habitat suitable for designated game and non-game species and are jointly administered with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). Often vegetative management comes in the form of habitat management for these areas that support wildlife found at Dale Hollow.

Future or Inactive Recreation Areas

Lands in this sub-classification are areas with site characteristics compatible with potential future recreational development or areas that are closed. Until these lands are developed by others or funding is obtained by the Corps, they will be managed for wildlife, vegetation, or low density recreation. If proposals for future development arise, further analysis of these sites would be conducted to ensure compatibility of proposed actions with statutory requirements. Management has designated these areas on Dale Hollow based on appropriate terrain, road access, and absence of existing recreation facilities in the vicinity.

Table 4.1 - Land Classification approximate acreage based on GIS calculations

Draft Version - 92

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Percent of Fee Land Classification Acreage (above normal pool)

Project Operations 131 <.5%

High Density Recreation 2,153 8%

Environmentally Sensitive Areas 4,162 15%

Multiple Resource Management Lands 1,413 5% Low Density Recreation

Multiple Resource Management Lands 359 <1.5% Future or Inactive Recreation

Multiple Resource Management Lands 19,228 70% Wildlife Management

Multiple Resource Management Lands 0 0% Vegetative Management

Mitigation Lands 0 0%

4-02.E Water Surface Dale Hollow Lake has a surface water management program that designates the following four classifications: Restricted, Designated No-Wake, Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary, and Open Recreation. The TWRA and KDFWR implement the water surface zoning plans at Dale Hollow. The Corps partners with these agencies to administer and enforce these areas. Acreages for each water surface classification can be found in Table 4.2.

Restricted

These are water areas restricted for project operations, safety, and security purposes. This includes the waters directly adjacent to Dale Hollow Dam as well as areas near designated swimming beaches.

Draft Version - 93

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Designated No-Wake

These water areas are designated for public safety, protection of environmentally sensitive shoreline areas, and defending recreational water access areas from disturbance. Typically these areas are located around commercial marinas, public boat ramps, and some narrow sections of the lake.

Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary

These water areas have annual or seasonal restrictions to protect fish and wildlife species during periods of migration, resting, feeding, nesting, and/or spawning. These areas consist of Eagle Nesting locations during the months of October to June each season.

Open Recreation

The remainder of the lake is open to recreational use. There is no specific zoning for these areas, but there is a buoy system in place to help aid in public safety. Secondary channel markers such as “no wake” area buoys, “restricted” area buoys, and “hazard/danger” buoys are maintained by the Dale Hollow Lake Resource Manager’s Office.

Table 4.2 - Water Surface Classification approximate acreage based on GIS calculations

Percent of Surface Classification Acreage Water Area (at normal pool)

Restricted 16 <1%

Designated No-Wake 1,025 4%

Fish and Wildlife Sanctuary 0 0%

Open Recreation 24,901 >96%

Project Easement Lands (Flowage Easement)

These are lands on which the Corps of Engineers holds easement interests, but no fee title ownership. The lands were acquired for specific purposes and don not convey the same rights or ownership to the Corps as other lands. The only type of easement found on Dale Hollow is flowage easement, which covers 70 acres at the upper end of the reservoir. Typical management of flowage

Draft Version - 94

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

easement lands include surveillance to insure that landowners do not construct habitable structures or place fill material within the easement. All activities within the flowage easement must be evaluated to insure compliance with the Nashville District Cut and Fill Policy, December 2002

Figure 4-1 - Dale Hollow Lake Classification Map

Draft Version - 95

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 4-2 - Dale Hollow Lake Site Classification Key (Corresponds with Classification Map)

Draft Version - 96

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 5 Resource Plan

This chapter further describes specific classifications for all Dale Hollow Lake lands and waters. Each classification will be further described to include area names, managing agency, location, acreage resource objectives and developmental needs.

Project Operations Areas Project Operations Areas

These areas, 131 acres, include all restricted access zones around Dale Hollow Dam (i.e. powerhouse, switchyard, and the resource shop compound) that are protected by fences and/or gates. The management goal for these areas is to provide basic safety and security of Corps’ facilities to protect and insure proper operations of the Project. Developmental needs for these areas include facility upgrades to meet Corps sustainability objectives.

High Density Recreation

Areas included in this classification of 2,142 acres, are developed and managed for intensive recreational activities including campgrounds, day use/recreation areas, secondary access areas (i.e. boat ramps and overlooks), commercial marinas and state parks. High Density Recreation areas may be managed and operated by the Corps of Engineers or outgranted to another agency or private entity for management. These areas are managed primarily to meet the recreational and economic impact resource objectives identified in Chapter 3.

5-02.A Campgrounds and Recreation Areas

Dale Hollow Dam Overlook, Site No. 101

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports a classification of High Density Recreation because of the aesthetic qualities and existing recreational facilities.

Location: Dale Hollow Dam Overlook Recreation Area is located in Clay County directly adjacent to Dale Hollow Dam overlooking the dam, powerhouse and tailwaters below the dam. The overlook is located off of Dale Hollow Dam Road.

Draft Version - 97

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Description: This 1.6 acre area is small but provides an excellent view of the dam, powerhouse, tailwaters and lake on the back side of the dam. A small parking area allows for easy access and a restroom facility is also available. This area sees moderate to high usage especially during the summer, particularly on weekends.

Area Use: This area is primarily used by visitors to get an excellent view of the dam and structures around the dam. An informational sign is also posted at the overlook to provide visitors a brief history of the dam and pertinent information concerning Dale Hollow Dam and Lake.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide visitors an excellent view of the Dale Hollow Dam Facilities • Maintain the aesthetic appeal of the area • Improve tourism in local community Development Needs:

• Replace fishing piers • Improvement to sports courts • Elevate some of the campsites in the center of the campground to remove issues with standing water

Pleasant Grove Recreation Area, Site No. 103

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports a classification of High Density Recreation because of the aesthetic qualities and existing recreational facilities.

Location: This recreation area is located in Clay County, near Cedar Hill Marina, and is approximately 3 miles off of Highway 53.

Description: This 30.5 acre recreation area is a developed day use area that provides the recreating public with a boat ramp, reservable group shelter, individual picnic tables, restroom facility, hiking trail and swinging bridge. The island at Pleasant Grove was previously used as a primitive camping area but was closed to overnight use under the Recreation Excellence at Area Lakes (REAL) program in 2004. The island is still used for various day use activities, however the previous camping area has since returned to a vegetative state, and contains various hardwoods.

Draft Version - 98

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 5-1 - Swinging Bridge at Pleasant Grove Recreation Area

Area Use: This recreation area has heavy usage during the summer recreation season. Pleasant Grove provides the closet lake access point to Dale Hollow Dam. Campers using Dale Hollow Dam Campground often will make the short drive over to Pleasant Grove to access the lake. This area is also very popular to the local community as it is the closest lake access to the town of Celina.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide day use opportunities • Provide water access for boating and fishing Development Needs:

• Replace courtesy float at boat ramp • Make any necessary upgrades to swinging bridge • Improve hiking trail • Improve existing parking area • Demolition/removal of abandoned water utility and restroom buildings on island • Improvements to the parking lot

Dale Hollow Dam Recreation Area, Site No. 108

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports the High Density Recreation classification because of the extensive recreational development and high occupancy rates.

Draft Version - 99

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Location: Dale Hollow Dam Recreation Area is located in Clay County directly below Dale Hollow Dam behind the Dale Hollow Lake National Fish Hatchery on the right descending bank of the Obey River just off of State Highway 53.

Description: This 53.5 acre recreation area is a quiet, peaceful and serene location in the green hills of Tennessee located directly below Dale Hollow Dam. The campground is a popular area for families, with an abundance of amenities and recreational activities available. Dale Hollow Dam Campground features 78 campsites and one large group picnic shelter. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience. The day use area is known for picnicking and provides access to the Obey River for fishing and boating. The pristine water of the Obey River is very popular for cold water trout fishing.

Area Use: The day use area has a moderate to high usage rate during the summer, particularly on weekends, and continues to see moderate usage during the fall and winter months by fishermen. The area is very popular for both fishermen and boaters alike. The demand for access to the river from this location has seen a moderate increase in recent years due to the popularity of paddle sports such as canoeing and kayaking. In addition to the general public utilizing the area, canoe/kayak rental businesses use the boat ramp to provide their customers access to the river. This has led to many challenges such as parking, congestion at the boat ramp, occasional river rescues of inexperienced boaters, and user conflicts between fishermen and recreational boaters.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide access to the Obey River for land and water based fishing access • Maintain the aesthetic appeal of the area • Provide camping and day use opportunities • Improve tourism in local community Development Needs:

• Replace outdated restroom/shower house facilities • Update electrical services throughout campground • Improved land access to the Obey River • Improve campsite drainage ability

Willow Grove Recreation Area, Site No. 114

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports the High Density Recreation classification because of the extensive recreational development and high occupancy rates.

Draft Version - 100

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Location: This recreation area is located in Clay County, approximately 17 miles off of Hwy 111 and approximately 20 miles north of Livingston TN.

Description: Willow Grove Campground and Recreation Area which encompasses 34 acres is a spacious campground located near the mid-point of Dale Hollow Lake in the hills of Tennessee. The campground sits on an elevated plateau of land, offering sweeping views of the lake and surrounding forest. Willow Grove Campground features 83 campsites and one large group picnic shelter. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience. The nearby sunken foundation of the historic Willow Grove School House provides a popular destination for scuba divers. A swimming beach, volleyball court, playground and a 7.5 mile one-way hiking trail provide additional recreational opportunities. Prior to 2002 a majority of Willow Grove Recreation Area was forested with Loblolly Pines but in 2001 it was discovered that the Southern Pine Beetle had infested the area and killed the trees (see 0). Even after the loss of the monoculture habitat at Willow Grove Recreation Area, it’s not unusual to see the White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, Canada geese and other migratory waterfowl using this area.

Area Use: Despite its semi-remote location, this recreation area has heavy usage during the summer recreation season and moderate use by walkers, sightseers, fishermen and lake access for hunters during the off season. This is a vacation destination for camping, boating, skiing, fishing and beach-goers.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide recreation facilities for a quality camping and day use experience • Provide water access for boating, fishing and hunting Development Needs:

• Modernize/rehab existing campsites • Add additional campground parking • Replace existing restroom/shower house facilities throughout park • Upgrade and modernize sewer facilities • Replace entrance station

Draft Version - 101

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 5-2 - Willow Grove Campground

Plankyard Recreation Area, Site 118

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports a classification of High Density Recreation because of the aesthetic qualities and existing recreational facilities.

Location: This recreation area is located in Pickett County, approximately 2 miles off of Hwy 111 and approximately 3 miles southwest of Byrdstown, TN.

Description: This 37 acre recreation area is a day use area that provides the recreating public with a gravel parking lot, boat ramp, 3 reservable primitive campsites, and vault toilet. Much of the area is forested with mature oak, hickory species and cedars. Abundant wildlife that use this area include, but are not limited to, are the white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, Canada geese and other migratory waterfowl.

Area Use: This recreation area has heavy usage during the summer recreation season. Plankyard Access Area provides visitors with both a day use and camping experience. There are 3 primitive campsites that can be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). Since no boat launch or parking fee is charged at this location the parking lot stays near capacity all summer.

Draft Version - 102

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide day use and primitive camping opportunities • Provide water access for boating, fishing and hunting Development Needs:

• Replace vault toilet with new restroom facility • Improve existing parking area, possibly pave parking area • Improve the water run-off erosion from entrance road to the parking area • Add a courtesy dock • Add a shelter. This would help make the area available for bass fishing tournaments.

Lillydale Recreation Area, Site No. 119

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports the High Density Recreation classification because of the extensive recreational development and high occupancy rates.

Location: This recreation area is located in Clay County, approximately 15 miles off of Hwy 111 and approximately 20 miles north of Livingston, TN.

Description: Lillydale Campground and Day Use Recreation Area encompasses 58.5 acres, and is centrally located along the shores of Dale Hollow Lake in the hills of Tennessee. The campground features 114 campsites; 15 of which are unique island camping. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience. The nearby day use area provides one large group picnic shelter and individual picnic tables. Two boat ramps, two volleyball courts, two swimming beaches and a 7.5 mile one-way hiking trail provides additional recreational opportunities. Prior to 2002 a majority of Lillydale Recreation Area was forested with Loblolly Pines but in 2001 it was discovered that the Southern Pine Beetle had infested the area and killed the trees. Between Lillydale Recreation Area and Willow Grove Recreation Area approximately 1,500 Loblolly Pines were removed. This completely altered the type of habitat and appearance of both recreation areas. A unique partnership was formed between the Corps of Engineers, Dale Hollow Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the FRIENDS of Dale Hollow Lake. This partnership was called Project Phoenix and was designed to replace dead pines with native hardwood tree species in damaged campgrounds, recreational areas and other potential natural areas. Even after the loss of the monoculture habitat at Lillydale Recreation Area, it’s not unusual to see the White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, Canada geese and other migratory waterfowl using this area.

Draft Version - 103

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Area Use: Despite its semi-remote location this recreation area has heavy usage during the summer recreation season and moderate use by walkers, sightseers, fishermen and lake access for hunters during the off season. This is a vacation destination for camping, boating, skiing, fishing and beach- goers.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide recreation facilities for a quality camping and day use experience • Provide water access for boating, fishing and hunting Development Needs:

• Modernize/rehab existing campsites • Add additional day use/campground parking • Upgrade and modernize sewer facilities • Add fish cleaning station in day use area

Figure 5-3 - Before (left) and after (right) Pine Beetle damage at Lillydale Campground

Cove Creek Recreation Area, Site No. 129

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports a classification of High Density Recreation because of the aesthetic qualities and existing recreational facilities.

Draft Version - 104

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Location: This recreation area is located in Pickett County, approximately 3 miles off of Hwy 111 and approximately 5 miles southwest of Byrdstown, TN.

Description: This 11 acre recreation area is a developed day use area that provides the recreating public with a boat ramp, 10 reservable primitive campsites, individual picnic tables and vault toilet. Much of the area is forested with mature oak, hickory species and cedars. Abundant wildlife that use this area include, but are not limited to: the White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, Canada geese and other migratory waterfowl.

Area Use: This recreation area has heavy usage during the summer recreation season. Cove Creek provides visitors with both a day use and camping experience. There are 10 primitive campsites that can be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). Since no boat launch or parking fee is charged at this location the parking lot stays near capacity all summer.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide day use and primitive camping opportunities • Provide water access for boating, fishing and hunting Development Needs:

• Replace vault toilet with new restroom facility • Improve existing parking area • Install drip irrigation system to accommodate water borne facilities • Add a courtesy float • Proposed small shelter

Obey River Recreation Area, Site No. 132

Management Agency: USACE

Land Classification: High Density Recreation

Rationale: This area supports the High Density Recreation classification because of the extensive recreational development and high occupancy rates.

Location: Obey River Recreation Area is located approximately 6 miles south of Byrdstown, TN off of Highway 111 and directly adjacent to Sunset Marina.

Description: Obey River Recreation Area encompasses 45.5 acres, and is a spacious campground located on the shores of Dale Hollow Lake, in the hills of Tennessee. The campground provides the largest camping area at the lake, as well as the largest and most visited swimming beach. Obey River Campground features 131 campsites and two large group picnic shelters. Electric hookups, drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station all create a comfortable camping experience. A

Draft Version - 105

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

swimming beach, basketball court, playgrounds and two boat ramps provide additional recreational activities. Much of the area is forested with mature oak, hickory species and cedars. The topography varies from moderate to steeply sloping upland forest to low lying, gently sloping bottomlands. Abundant wildlife that use this area include, but are not limited to the White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, Canada geese and other migratory waterfowl.

Area Use: Due to its easily accessible location to a major Tennessee Highway, this area experiences heavy visitation during the recreation season and moderate use by walkers, sightseers and fishermen during the off season. Obey River Recreation Area is the most popular campground and day use area on Dale Hollow Lake. This is a vacation destination for camping, boating, skiing, fishing and beach-goers. The site is conveniently located next to a small community hosting restaurants, history and several marinas.

Site-Specific Objectives:

• Provide recreation facilities for a quality camping and day use experience • Improve tourism in local community • Provide lake access for boating, fishing and hunting Development Needs:

• Modernize/rehab existing sites • Add additional day use/campground parking • Replace restroom and shower house facilities throughout park • Upgrade and modernize sewer facilities

Draft Version - 106

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Figure 5-4 - Playground at Obey River Campground

5-02.B Commercial Concession Marinas and Resorts These sites are leased to and operated by private businesses to provide visitors with additional services not offered at Corps of Engineers Recreation Areas. Typically these areas will stimulate the local economy by improving local tourism. In fact, 75 percent of all lease payments made to the Corps is returned to the county in which the marina is located. The services may include slip rentals, on-water fuel docks, restaurant/snack bar, boat rentals, cabin rentals, fishing guide services, personal watercraft (PWC) rentals, ship stores and RV/tent campsites.

Horse Creek Dock and Resort, Site No. 301

Horse Creek Marina is located on the lower end of Dale Hollow Lake approximately 1.5 miles upstream of Dale Hollow Dam and off of Highway 52 near Celina, Tennessee. Horse Creek Marina is one of the smaller marina facilities on Dale Hollow Lake. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include uncovered/covered slip rentals, boat rentals, cottage rentals, two-lane boat ramp and ship store. This area is primarily sloping to steep topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Draft Version - 107

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Cedar Hill Marina, Site No. 304

Cedar Hill Resort is located on the lower end of Dale Hollow Lake about a mile from the Dale Hollow Dam off of Highway 53 in Clay County, Tennessee. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include slip rental, boat rentals (including houseboats), fuel dock, boat ramp, cabin rentals, and restaurant and ship store. This area is primarily sloping topography. All facilities are located on government property.

Dale Hollow Marina, Site No. 305

Located on the lower end of Dale Hollow Lake approximately 4 miles upstream of Dale Hollow Dam and off of Highway 53 near Celina, Tennessee. Dale Hollow Marina experiences a moderate visitation rate due to its proximity to Celina and Highway 53. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include uncovered/covered slip rentals, boat/houseboat rentals, cottage rentals, two-lane boat ramp, fishing guide services, fuel dock, restaurant and ship store. This area is primarily sloping to steep topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Holly Creek Marina, Site No. 312

Located approximately 3.5 miles off of Highway 53 and approximately 12 miles northeast of Celina, Tennessee, Holly Creek Marina experiences a high visitation rate during the recreation season due to the existing facilities along with the location on the lake. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include over 275 wet boat slips, boat rentals, fuel dock, a two-lane boat ramp, cabin rentals, restroom facilities and ship store. This area is primarily sloping to steep topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Willow Grove Marina, Site No. 314

Located near the mid-point of Dale Hollow Lake approximately 17 miles off of Highway 111 and approximately 20 miles north of Livingston, Tennessee. Willow Grove Marina experiences a high visitation rate due to its location on the lake, size and existing facilities provided. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include both uncovered and covered wet boat slips, boat rentals, courtesy float, cabin rentals, two-lane boat ramp, fuel dock, vessel pump out station, restroom facilities, restaurant and ship store. Willow Grove has also been designated as a Clean Marina by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see Section 6-12 ). This area is primarily sloping topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Hendricks Creek Marina, Site No. 317

Hendricks Creek Marina is located approximately 1.5 miles off of Highway 53 and approximately 18 miles northeast of Celina, Tennessee. Hendricks Creek experiences a high visitation rate during the

Draft Version - 108

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

recreation season due to the location on the lake and proximity to Highway 53. Hendricks Creek offers the following amenities: wet boat slip rentals, fuel dock, two-lane boat ramp, 7 cottage rentals, 24 rental houseboat fleet, 5600 square foot service center, and ship store. Hendricks Creek has been designated as a Clean Marina by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see Section 6-12 ). The area is primarily sloping to steep topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Dale Hollow State Park Marina, Site No.321

Located near the mid-point of the lake and on the Wolf River, Dale Hollow Lake State Park Marina is located within Dale Hollow Lake State Park and is a sublease to Kentucky State Parks. This facility experiences an extremely high visitation rate due to its location inside the park and the existing facilities provided. Existing facilities include over 200 wet slips, restroom facilities, boat rentals, fuel dock, two two-lane boat ramps, and vessel pump out station, ship store and snack bar. The area is primarily sloping topography and all facilities are located within the Dale Hollow Lake State Park lease area and on government property.

Wisdom Marina, Site No. 322

Wisdom Marina is located in Illwill Creek on the Northern edge of Dale Hollow Lake in the state of Kentucky. The marina is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Albany, Kentucky. This facility experiences a high visitation rate due to the existing facilities provided to the public. The following amenities are provided to the public: covered and uncovered wet boat slips, pontoon, deck boat and houseboat rentals, cabin rentals, floating cabin rentals, fuel dock, ship store, one two lane boat ramp, vessel pump out station, restroom facilities and snack bar. The topography at this facility is reflective of most marina sites on Dale Hollow Lake as it is primarily sloping. All facilities are located on government property.

Eagle Cove Resort and Marina, Site No. 324

Eagle Cove Marina is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Byrdstown, Tennessee and is located on the Wolf River on Dale Hollow Lake. Eagle Cove Marina is operated by a concessionaire under a lease agreement with the Corps of Engineers. This area experiences moderate to heavy visitation especially during the summer recreation season due to its existing facilities and location by water. The facilities offered to the public at this marina are both covered and uncovered wet boat slips, houseboat rentals, cabin and chalet rentals, swim beach, two lane boat ramp, fuel dock, ship store, vessel pump out station, picnic facilities, playground equipment, community grill, gazebo and snack bar. All facilities at this location are located on government property.

Draft Version - 109

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Star Point Marina, Site No. 325

Star Point Marina is operated by a concessionaire under a lease agreement with the Corps of Engineers. This facility is located approximately 8 miles west of Byrdstown, Tennessee and lies in the head of Jouett Creek. Star Point receives moderate to heavy visitation during the summer recreation season due to its location on the lake and proximity to Byrdstown. Star Point provides a variety of facilities for the general public which include: covered and uncovered wet boat slips, cabin rentals, snack bar, camping area, launch ramp, fuel dock, and picnic facilities. The topography at this marina is primarily flat. All facilities at this location are located on government property.

Wolf River Resort and Marina, Site No. 327

Located along the Tennessee/Kentucky state line, Wolf River Marina is approximately 6 miles southeast of Albany, Kentucky at the end of Highway 738. Due to its location on the lake and proximity to Albany, Wolf River Marina experiences a high visitation rate during the recreation season. Many amenities are provided to the public at this marina such as: covered and uncovered wet boat slips, pontoon and houseboat rentals, cabin rentals, motel room rental, campsites with full hookups, one two lane boat ramp, vessel pump out station, fuel dock, picnic facilities, ship store and snack bar. The topography at this particular site is relatively flat once you arrive to the marina site location.

Sunset Marina, Site No. 333

Located approximately 5 miles south of Byrdstown Tennessee directly off of Highway 111, Sunset Marina is located on the main river channel approximately 38 miles upstream of Dale Hollow Dam. This particular marina receives heavy visitation due to its proximity to Highway 111, Obey River Campground and its existing facilities. Sunset Marina offers numerous amenities to the public that include: boat/houseboat rental, personal watercraft rental, fuel dock, vessel pump out station, covered and uncovered wet boat slips, cabin rentals, ship store, snack bar, restaurant, 2 two-lane boat ramps, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. Sunset Marina has a unique seasonal NO WAKE zone outside the marina on the main channel of the lake that prohibits water traffic from traveling above idle speed from May 15th to Labor Day. Sunset Marina has also been designated as a Clean Marina by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The topography of this area is fairly flat and all facilities are located on government property.

East Port Marina, Site No. 336

East Port Marina is located on the upper end of Dale Hollow Lake approximately 50 miles upstream of Dale Hollow Dam and approximately 17 miles northeast of Livingston, Tennessee. East Port Marina is operated by a concessionaire under a lease agreement with the Corps of Engineers. This

Draft Version - 110

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

area receives moderate visitation during the summer recreation season but due to its location by land and water, East Port does not see the high volume of traffic like some of the other marinas on Dale Hollow Lake. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include both uncovered and covered wet boat slips, boat rentals, courtesy float, cabin rentals, two-lane boat ramp, fuel dock, vessel pump out station, restroom facilities, restaurant and ship store. This area has primarily sloping topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Mitchell Creek Marina, Site No. 340

Located on the lower end of Dale Hollow Lake near the confluence of Carter Creek and Mitchell Creek and off of Highway 52 between Celina and Livingston, Tennessee. Mitchell Creek Marina experiences a high visitation rate due to its location, size and existing facilities provided. The facilities offered to visitors by this marina include uncovered/covered wet boat slips, boat/houseboat rentals, personal watercraft rentals, cabin rentals, two-lane boat ramp, fuel dock, restroom facilities, restaurant and ship store. Mitchell Creek Marina has also been designated as a Clean Marina by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see Section 6-12 ). This area is primarily sloping topography and all facilities are located on government property.

Sulphur Creek Marina, Site No. 342

Sulphur Creek Marina is located at the head of Sulphur Creek around the mid-point of Dale Hollow Lake and approximately 10 miles south of Burkesville, Kentucky. Sulphur Creek Marina experiences a high visitation rate due to its location, size and existing facilities provided. The following amenities are provided to the public: covered and uncovered wet boat slips, pontoon boat and houseboat rentals, cabin rentals, two-lane boat ramp, fuel dock, vessel pump out station, restroom facilities, restaurant, ship store, campground with water and electric hookups, swim beach, camper dump station, and playground. The area is primarily sloping topography and all facilities are located on government property.

5-02.C State Parks and Other Federal Agency Facilities

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Site No. 121

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Celina, Tennessee and approximately 15 miles south of Burkesville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Department of Parks leases approximately 955 acres of land from the Corps of Engineers, as well as owns nearly 400 acres itself. The park offers a full range of resort and day use opportunities including a visitor center, lodge with 60 guest rooms, restaurant, 2 boat ramps, courtesy float, rental cabins, approximately 145 campsites, a sanitary dump station, restroom/shower houses, laundry facilities, picnic sites, multipurpose trails, 18 hole golf course, an amphitheater and playground

Draft Version - 111

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake equipment. Kentucky Department of Parks subleases the operation of a full service marina with over 200 wet slips, boat rentals, fuel dock and ship store.

The Federal-State Cooperative development is characterized by densely forested steep slopes, and covers a large portion of the northern most section of Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky. This park was officially opened in 1978.

Figure 5-5 – Dale Hollow Lake State Park Resort

Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery, Site No. 744

Dale Hollow Lake National Fish Hatchery is located on a 30 acre site directly below Dale Hollow Dam on the Obey River. The hatchery is owned and operated by the Department of Interior/US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Construction of the facility began in 1963 and was completed in 1966. The USFWS leases the property where the hatchery is located from the Corps of Engineers. Dale Hollow NFH was established to mitigate for fishery resources which were lost due to the construction of federal water development projects in the Southeast. This is accomplished by stocking rainbow, brown, lake, and brook trout in waters impacted by federal dams. Stocking trout in public waters supports a significant recreational fishery which generates a substantial amount of economic activity for local and regional economies. This facility is also involved in the conservation of imperiled, freshwater, non-game fishes, and mussels.

5-02.D Quasi-Public Areas

Draft Version - 112

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Trooper Island Youth Camp, Site No. 400

Trooper Island is located near the Mid-point of Dale Hollow Lake on the Tennessee/Kentucky state line and occupies approximately 35 acres. This island is leased out to the Kentucky State Police, who manage the island and hold weekly summer camp for Kentucky children ages 10-12. Trooper Island is non-profit organization that runs solely on donations as no tax dollars are used on the island. This camp is also free of charge for the children that attend and a variety of outdoor activities are provided. A new dining hall was added in 2017 which provided much needed space for both the staff and children. The dining hall also houses a nurse’s office and through a grant provided by Delta Dental of Kentucky, a dental hygienist is onsite during camp to give free dental examinations. Other amenities located on Trooper Island include: cabins, camp director housing/office, storm shelter, covered boat dock, swimming pool, playground equipment and picnic shelter. The topography of Trooper Island is relatively flat with various tree species which include but are not limited to: White Oak, Red Oak, Cedar, Hickory, Pine species etc.

Salvation Army Camp, Site 453

Paradise Valley Salvation Army Camp is located on Moore Hollow Creek, a tributary to the Obey River. The Salvation Army leases approximately 18 acres of land from the Corps of Engineers for the purpose of the operation and maintenance of a general public, youth group camp sponsored and approved by the Salvation Army. The camp is located in both Clay County, Tennessee and Cumberland County, Kentucky. Facilities that are located on government property include: swimming pool, old office/lodge building, basketball court, boat dock, outdoor theater, playground, maintenance shop building, fuel storage tanks, sand filter sewage system, and roadway. Other facilities located at Salvation Army Camp’s private property include: new staff lodge and office, two dorm buildings, and a chapel. The topography of Salvation Army Camp is generally sloping with various tree species which include but are not limited to: White Oak, Red Oak, Cedar, Hickory Species and Pine. Abundant wildlife include, but are not limited to: White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, Canada geese and other migratory waterfowl.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

The following sites, totaling approximately 4,162 acres, have been identified to contain unique ecological, cultural or aesthetic features that justify an Environmentally Sensitive Area land classification. Many of these areas contain unbroken forested habitat and will be managed to meet the natural and cultural resource management objectives identified in Chapter 3 with a primary goal to protect unique or sensitive habitat and minimize activities which disturb the scenic beauty and aesthetics of the lake. Several of these areas provide unique and diverse habitats for various wildlife species including Neotropical migrants of conservation concern and the endangered gray

Draft Version - 113

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

bat (Myotis grisescens).However, unless specifically prohibited, low impact recreational activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and hunting will be permitted within these Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

5-03.A Environmentally Sensitive Islands, Not Labeled Dale Hollow Lake contains approximately 26 islands, of which 15 are designated as environmentally sensitive. These environmentally sensitive islands total approximately 160 acres, not including First Island described later in this section. Although many of these islands are licensed to Tennessee Wildlife and Resources Agency and the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife for wildlife management and fisheries, they have been classified as environmentally sensitive to provide additional protection for these unique resources. Islands typically have environmentally valuable characteristics resulting from mainland isolation, varying slope aspects, unique aesthetics and distinct habitat types. The islands also provide valuable fish habitat for spawning, feeding and shelter. These scattered islands along with the non-designated camping islands are important habitat to provide areas where flight species such as white-tail deer, black bear, and coyote can disperse to when threatened by human pressure during the different stages of the season’s.

Islands designated as environmentally sensitive on Dale Hollow consist of about 160 acres of islands (some unnamed) which are mostly located on Obey River impoundments and Wolf River sections scattered in various locations throughout the lake. Eighty-eight acre Pine Island, site 606 listed above, is also included in this acreage. The majority of the topography consists of shallow soil, shale and limestone outcropping’s which is typical of most hilltop ridges. Some areas have very steep slopes consisting of beech and maple along with some popular oak and hickory borders. The shoreline species are willows, alders, and sycamore and cotton woods. At normal lake pool elevations of 647-651 msl, many willows and cotton wood trees create outstanding fisheries habitat. These islands provide rookeries and specialized habitat for wading birds such as Great Blue Heron, Black Crowne Night Herons, Green Herons etc.

5-03.B Horse Creek, Site No. 601 Horse Creek (also known as Canoe Ridge) peninsula consists of over 204.5 acres and is located half a mile upstream above the dam. The area is accessible from State Highway 52. The area is heavily wooded and undeveloped. The entire peninsula is entirely in Corps of Engineers ownership. It is listed as a WMA, but also portions are classified as environmentally sensitive to provide additional protection for the unique resources it provides. The area also is the location of several sinks and ground level cave entrances, the karst topography being active is significant for several small mammal and reptile species. The size and contiguous flow serve as vital areas for neo-tropical bird habitat for deep forested species of the area, along with its mainly undisturbed habitat, make it ideal for a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Draft Version - 114

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

5-03.C Swann Ridge, Site No. 602 Swann ridge is located one mile above Dale Hollow Dam between Mitchell Creek and Kyle Branch which tributaries to Obey River. The area consists of 649 acres and begins at the north mouth of Kyle Branch and extends to the mouth of Mitchell Creek mid channel. The private sector adjoining in recent years has been cleared of vegetation and is in the process of extensive development. This area is one of Dale Hollows largest contiguous tracts of property and serves as an area extremely important for neo-tropical birds such as the brown wood thrush who are attracted to non-broken tracts.

5-03.D Fox Springs, Site No. 603 Fox Springs proper is located in Clay County on the Mitchell Creek at old river mile 16 and one mile downstream from Sewell Bend on the left descending bank. The site is about 422 acres. This area and settlement show signs of and an old home site and school site serving tis area and is of historical significance for this location. It is a confluence where Mitchell Creek meets the Obey River served as a natural draw for fish and wildlife food sources that was also provided an attractive location for early primitive villages and then later for pioneers which spawned later settlements. The location on the top ridge would have proved important vantage for early settlements as a natural point providing a protective safe harbor and lookout. From the top area viewing stretches for several miles up and down the Obey River.

5-03.E Colson Creek, Site No. 604 Colson Creek consists of about 376 acres between the Colson Creek and Irons Creek north of Hogan’s Hollow. The topography consists of two large adjoining peninsula’s. The area has very steep slopes consisting of beech and maple along with some popular oak and hickory borders. The shoreline species are willows, alders, and sycamore and cotton woods. Many overhanging willows and larger cotton wood trees create outstanding fisheries habitat. This area and above at the head of these tributaries are important for the natural occurrences of walleye spawning each spring season. The size and contiguous flow serve as vital areas for neo-tropical bird habitat for deep forested species of the area, along with its mainly undisturbed habitat, make it ideal for a wide variety of flora and fauna.

5-03.F Rock House, Site No. 605 This area consists of about 154 acres between the east fork and west forks of Obey River. The topography consists of a narrow band of land bordering the east fork of obey river. The area has very steep slopes consisting of beech and maple along with some popular oak and hickory borders. The shoreline species are willows, alders, and sycamore and cotton woods. At normal elevation of 647-651 elevation many willows and cotton wood trees create outstanding fisheries habitat. This area and above at the head of these tributaries are important for the natural occurrences of

Draft Version - 115

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

walleye spawning each spring season. This area provides a large wooded buffer zone for run off into the headwaters of the Obey River.

5-03.G Pine Island, Site No. 606 Pine Island consists of over 88 acres and is located 23.5 miles upstream of the dam. The island has in past years been a primitive camping area, however in 1999 when the pine beetle infestation hit, the primitive site was closed due to dead timber stands falling. This area was hit hard and which consisted of a 90 % kill of mature Loblolly Pine. After the kill, the area regenerated around 60% regrowth of Loblolly Pine. Several understory deciduous species thrived that had been secondary under growth. During the last several years, this island particularly along with a small island at Lillydale serves each year as a staging area for the thousands of Purple Martins (Pronge subis) that are preparing for the annual late summer migration to South America. Each season, several bird enthusiasts come to observe this unique event.Populations of white-tailed deer, turkeys, raccoons, opossum and small game species are also abundant.

5-03.H Rock Springs, Site No. 607 Area consists of about 218 acres on the main lake. The location is on the right descending bank south of Dale Bend across from Johnson Bottom and river mile 15 adjacent to Roberts Hollow. The topography consists of a large bluff top peninsula. The area has very steep slopes consisting of beech and maple along with some popular oak and hickory borders. The area has a large vertical rock structure that is submerged to depths of approximately 110 feet. The area is a popular diving area and provides a unique sanctuary to several shadow/prey species of fish.

5-03.I Pusley Ridge, Site No. 608 Area consists of 442 acres at the mouth of Sulphur Creek on right descending bank and bluff located in Tennessee and Kentucky. The topography consists of a large band of land bordering Salvation Army camp. The area has very steep slopes consisting of beech and maple along with some popular oak and hickory borders. The shoreline species are willows, alders, and sycamore and cotton woods.

5-03.J Boom Ridge, Site No. 609 This area is located on the Tennessee side of Dale Hollow State Park in Kentucky.This area consists of about 392 acres at the mouth of the Wolf River where it joins Obey River. The area has very steep slopes consisting of beech and maple along with some popular oak and hickory borders. The large wooded tract within the Kentucky State Park, which borders this site, creates a large contiguous mature wooded tract that offers a sanctuary for neo-tropical bird species and provides protective area for flight species, deer, coyote, turkey etc. This area is only accessible from land by KY State Highway 1206 via Dale Hollow State Park in Kentucky. This isolated area is now used predominantly by hikers and park users adjacent to the Kentucky Dale Hollow State Park. Hunting is

Draft Version - 116

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

permitted on the Tennessee portion however closed on the Kentucky State Park. This section is isolated except by access in Kentucky via use of a hiking trails only to the Kentucky/Tennessee state line. The water access by boat is very limited due to the steep terrain and high bluffs.

5-03.K Wolf River, Site No. 610 Units FK8 is classified in the Federal Register /Vol.78 No. 187 pages 59572 and 59573 designated as environmentally sensitive area and critical habitat for the Fluted Kidneyshell Mussel (Ptychobranchus subtentum) as well as several host species critical in the reproduction and survival located within the Dale Hollow head waters of the Wolf River in Pickett County. This drainage consist of an area of (25.5 rmi) of the Wolf River and tributaries from its inundation at Dale Hollow Lake impoundments at the mouth of the Wolf River impoundment (Lat. 85.14414, long. 36.60670) to the upstream confluence with Delk Creek (- 84.91064, 36.52784) Fentress County, TN. The Ecology for the Fluted Kidneyshell is primarily a stream and small river species, inhabiting a sand or sand gravel substrate in riffles with fast current, usually at depths of two feet or less. The species is bradytictic. Fish host for the glochidia, based on the infection of host species which include the rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum), redline darter (E. rufilineatum), fantail darter (E. flabellare), barcheeck darter (E. obeyenes) and the banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Within this unit the Fluted Kidneyshell may require special management consideration to address potential adverse effects associated with coal mining activities, silvirculture activities, natural gas and oil exploration in the head water reaches and also the lack of adequate riparian buffers, from road construction and of road vehicle use as well as other recreation activities and nonpoint source pollution origination it the head waters.

Multiple Resource Management

5-04.A Low Density Recreation Areas These are lands with minimal development that support passive recreational use. There are 1,394 acres classified as Low Density Recreation on Dale Hollow Lake. These areas are managed primarily to meet the recreational and natural resource management objectives identified in Chapter 3.

Primitive Camping Islands, PC

The primitive spots are located at several locations that are designated areas within the confines of each island. Total island acreage consists of over 421 plus acres. These are located in both the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. These scattered islands which also include the non-designated camping islands are important to provide areas where flight species such as white tail deer, black bear, and coyote can disperse when human activity and hunting pressure occur during various

Draft Version - 117

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

seasons. During fall and winter, human interaction is limited at most of these locations. These islands also provide valuable fish habitat for spawning, feeding and shelter.

Compton’s Bottom, Site No.203

This access area is about 5 acres and is located in the far stretch of the east fork of the Obey River mile mark 63 in Fentress County on the left descending bank on Compton Bottom Road, via Riverton Lane and State Highway 52. This area is classified as Low Density Recreation. The amenities consist of a concrete ramp and gravel parking lot that can accommodate about 15 truck and trailer spots. This location provides lake access for smaller fishing vessels, kayaks and canoes plus available for other activities. This areas include a parking area (gravel) and a concrete boat ramp. Basic services include periodic mowing and trash/litter pickup. Typically this areas experience moderate visitation during the peak recreation season and mostly used for spring fishing headwater access for the upper stretch and Fentress County Access.

Gunnels Camp, Site No. 205

This area supports a classification of Low Density Recreation because of the aesthetic qualities and moderate visitation the area receives. Located on the upper end of the Wolf River and approximately 4 miles off of Highway 111 and approximately 7 miles from Byrdstown, Tennessee. Gunnels Camp encompasses approximately 2 acres of relatively flat bottomland that is located on the upper reaches of the Wolf River. Even with its proximity to Byrdstown it is not uncommon to see White-tail deer using this area along with squirrels, beaver, opossums, raccoons, rabbits and Canada geese. Several sightings of black bear have also been recently sighted and reported in this vicinity and stretch of the wolf river. This area contains many different species including but not limited to oaks, hickories, sweet gum, hackberry, red cedar and maple. Primitive camping is also available at Gunnels Camp as well as a concrete boat ramp and pit toilet. The area receives moderate use from locals and tourists. Both water based and land based fishing are popular activities at Gunnels Camp along with primitive camping. During the winter months the lake draw down produces a very narrow river channel for boat traffic to use in this area.

Red Oak Ridge, Site No. 439

Red Oak Ridge is an area about 904 acres located 8 miles north of Celina, Tennessee off highway 53. The area hosts 18 miles of beautiful and scenic trails developed for horseback riding. Beginning on wooded ridge top, riders can descend to follow the forested Dale Hollow shoreline. Seven loops provide for cutbacks to shorten or lengthen the trail. Eagles Bluff Overlook provides for one of the most spectacular vistas of Dale Hollow Lake. Hikers are welcome. A corral, storm shelter, and stalls are available. Primitive camping permits are required for overnight stays. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and also a current copy of negative coggins certification papers are required for all

Draft Version - 118

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

equine for the detection of equine infectious anemia (swamp fever), spread by horse flies or other blood sucking insects. Part of the aesthetic and recreational value of the land is that the area is also managed for Wildlife and Vegetation Management coinciding with the passive recreation activities occurring in the area.

Low Density Access Areas

In addition to the low density recreation areas listed above, there are five access areas classified for the purposes of low density recreation. The specific objective for these areas is to provide lake access for boating, fishing, hunting, sightseeing and other outdoor activities. Table 5.1 provides a summary of these areas including site number, managing agency, acreage and development needs. All areas include a parking area (gravel or paved) and a concrete boat ramp. Basic services include periodic mowing and trash/litter pickup. Typically these areas experience moderate visitation during the peak recreation season. Unless budgetary constraints change, the possibility of significant upgrades, such as parking lot expansion or facility installations, are minimal.

Table 5.1 - Low Density Access Areas

Managing Area Site # Site Name Development Needs Agency (Acres)

Keisling Bottom Access 204 USACE 20 Paved Parking and ramp Area

206 Jones Chapel Access Area USACE 25 Potential Paved ramp and parking area

207 Wolf River Access Area USACE 2 Paved Parking

217 Gum Grove Access Area USACE 5 Paved Parking

Paved Parking and potential paved 225 Taylor’s Ford Access Area USACE 11 ramp Picnic tables

5-04.B Wildlife Management Lands These lands, approximately 20,334 acres totaled between Tennessee and Kentucky sides of the lake, are designated for the management of wildlife and fisheries resources to meet the natural resource management objectives. The primary goal for these lands is to coordinate with state and federal agencies to actively manage and protect fish and wildlife populations and habitats and to provide recreational hunting and fishing opportunities. Wildlife management on Dale Hollow is

Draft Version - 119

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

conducted primarily by two state agencies through a real estate license agreement: the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). These lands are managed with secondary sub-classifications of Low Density Recreation and Vegetative Management. Passive recreation like wildlife watching, hunting, paddling and hiking may occur in these areas. The plant communities in this area are critical to providing suitable habitat for native wildlife.

The license agreement lists Corps objectives as:

• To offer recreation facilities and services which insure a quality outdoor recreation opportunity for the general public thereby contributing substantially to their health, vitality and well-being. • To integrate the management of individual natural and cultural resource components such as historic properties, wildlife, forest, threatened and endangered species, meadow, wetlands, soil and water to insure ecologically sound resource allocation and utilization. • To encourage optimum balance of diversity and ecosystem stability; to protect, maintain, and/or improve soil productivity and water quality on project lands. • The license agreement lists TWRA and KDFWR objectives as:

• To integrate forest management into its current wildlife management program, and enable The State to develop a total resource management program. • To manage the forests so that an appearance of a closed forest canopy exists as viewed from the water or intensive recreation areas. • To enhance wildlife populations were feasible utilizing appropriate wildlife management techniques. • To assure continuity of compatible types of hunting, fishing, and non-consumptive wildlife recreational activities through its regulatory process. • To furnish each year a statement of current hunting season dates, and all state hunting laws and revisions. • To utilize all hunting, fishing, and cropland for protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife, including habitat improvement and related activities.

5-04.C Future/Inactive Recreation Areas These are areas that were classified for recreation but were never developed or were developed and have subsequently been abandoned. Due to reclassification, only two areas remain in this sub- classification, that being Cove Creek Recreation Area and Keisling Bottom Access. Although there may not be an immediate need for additional recreation facilities within this location, it is impossible to accurately predict future recreational trends or population growth within any given area.

Draft Version - 120

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Cove Creek Future Recreation Area, Site No. 501

Cove Creek is a 246 acre site located in Pickett County Tennessee approximately 3 miles off of Hwy 111 and approximately 5 miles southwest of Byrdstown, Tennessee. The area is currently used as boat launch access area as well as 10 primitive tent campsites with concrete tables, fire rings and vault type toilets. It has two paved parking lots with five picnic sites. The area features gently rolling to steep topography. It is one of few sites on Dale Hollow Lake large enough, and flat enough, to accommodate another recreational development. However the soils located within this area failed perk test required for subsurface septic system which makes the area null for a waterborne facility. Investigation for a drip irrigation system could possibly be used if enough wooded area above the parking was adequate and made available. Even though federal recreation funding is limited, this site could be leased to local government for development.

Keisling Bottom Future Recreation Area, Site No. 502

Keisling Bottom is a 113 acre site located in Picket County approximately 16 miles Northeast of Livingston. The area is currently used as an access point for fishing and lake access. It was once used as a primitive camping area, however due to the remoteness of location, criminal activities and frequent vandalism the area, it was closed in 1991. A final decision was made to close the area to these type activities which involved the burning of our pit toilets on three separate occasions and a firearm shooting which resulted in the hospitalization and injury of an individual. The area features gently rolling to steep topography. This area is the only site on Dale Hollow Lake that is legal and designated for drone operation.

Draft Version - 121

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 6 Special Topics/Issues/Considerations

Floating Cabins

Section 1148 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA 2016) allows for floating cabins within the Cumberland River Basin provided they meet policy. The Corps implementation guidance for Section 1148 of WRDA 2016, establishes consistent policies, procedures, and responsibilities to evaluate requests for the addition of floating cabins and associated moorings/slips in the Cumberland River Basin. This policy is only applicable to floating cabins within outgranted marina areas in the Cumberland River Basin, and that are in compliance with regulations for recreational vessels issued under chapter 43 of title 46, United States Code, and section 312 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1322).

Aging Infrastructure

Dale Hollow Lake is the oldest project in the Nashville District which means some of the current facilities were constructed in the 1950’-1960’s. Some of these facilities have been rehabbed to look better visually but the underlying structures are old and deteriorating. With limited budgets and procedural processes, these facilities have progressively gotten worse over time and continue to do so. Eventually some of these facilities will either have to be replaced or closed due to public safety concerns.

Partnerships

Demands on Corps resources and facilities paired with declining recreation program budgets makes partnerships essential to our ability to provide safe and healthy recreation experiences. These may include out-granting selected recreation areas, partnering with local governments or organizations to construct additional facilities and utilizing volunteers to perform various jobs including park attendants and routine maintenance. Recent Challenge Partnership Agreements, USACE Handshake Grants, TDOT, FHA (Federal Highway Administration) NWTF, USFWS grants with local and state governments have resulted in the construction of several interpretive kiosk, rehabilitation of fishing piers, a $25,000 launch ramp at Gum Grove Access Area, over $10,000 of wildlife habitat equipment and seed and a $43,000 horse trail improvement/repair grant. In FY 17, volunteers provided nearly 15,520 hours of service valued at $434,000. Future partnership and volunteer opportunities will be pursued in accordance with the USACE Recreation Strategic Plan.

Draft Version - 122

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Federal Funding

A significant change since the original Master Plan and subsequent updates which has significantly affected the Corps/outgrantee relationships and potential for future recreational development is the federal funding environment. Initially, many of the recreation areas designated in earlier Master Plans were, at least in part, developed by the Corps. Many access roads, parking lots, launching ramps, restrooms, and other support facilities were constructed or improved by the Corps at full federal expense in order to attract new concessionaires to meet public recreation demands. Later, provisions of Public Law 89-72 required cost-sharing partners to develop further recreational improvements. Under both scenarios, after an operator was selected through open competition and developed the site for full public use, the Corps continued to maintain the federally constructed portion of the site, including re-paving of parking lots and access roads within its boundaries. Parking and launching was free to the using public. Due to funding constraints over the recent decades, the Corps was unable to continue this service. Concessionaires were encouraged to assume maintenance responsibilities in exchange for authority to charge reasonable fees for public launching to recoup some of their costs. In addition, concessionaires were authorized, upon meeting qualification requirements, to charge for “managed parking.”

Due to the aforementioned federal funding regime, unless the Corps itself proposes to develop an area, potential applicants will be responsible for completing a full market analysis and feasibility study as well as funding required environmental and cultural studies. At this time, the Corps has no plans to independently or jointly develop “new” public recreation areas. A critical point to emphasize in this update is that, while economic development and resulting positive impacts to the local and regional economy are definite factors in evaluating proposals for recreation development, the primary consideration is the public need for, and public benefits to be achieved by, the proposal. At times, residential subdivision or commercial developers have requested to construct launching ramps or marinas to service their adjacent developments. The Corps does not authorize recreational access or other development activities for the primary purpose of enhancing the value of adjacent private developments.

Water Safety

With over 370 million annual visits, the Corps is the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation.

Since a large majority of these visitors engage in water related activities, water safety education is top priority. Nationwide, the Corps participated with other agencies concerned with water safety as far back as the early 1950's. The Corps in the Nashville District started an organization in 1951 that became the National Water Safety Congress. In the mid-1970's, the Chief of Engineers issued the first official directive for the Corps to amplify its water safety educational efforts after nearly

Draft Version - 123

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

500 lives were lost at Corps lakes in a single year. In 1986, the Corps National Water Safety

Program was started with a mission is to increase public awareness of boating and water safety through educational materials and products.

With public safety as a primary concern, Dale Hollow Lake implements the water safety program at the project level to reduce public accidents and fatalities through education, publicity, patrols on land and water and teamwork with partners. Education is provided through information in recreation areas, bulletin boards, posters, signs, banners, coloring books, and brochures. The water safety promotional materials provided by the HQUSACE Water Safety Committee are used extensively to leave a lasting impression. Web pages (like the National Water Safety Congress and the National Safe Boating Council), fishing reports, and exhibits in the Resource Office provide educational information. The Dale Hollow Lake staff routinely conducts water safety programs for schools, summer camps and various civic groups.

Publicity is provided through participation in special events such as boat shows, State Fairs, local festivals and parades, shoreline cleanups, and National Public Lands Day. News releases are issued through radio, TV and print media. Social media is also heavily utilized to disseminate the water safety message. The Dale Hollow Lake staff also participates in the Nashville District Water Safety Task Force to review ways to promote water safety, share information and develop strategies for reducing public accidents and fatalities at Nashville District lakes, locks and dams.

Tree Vandalism

Tree vandalism is the unauthorized removal of woody vegetation from public property. More specifically, the cutting of trees or the damage or removal of any vegetation for any purpose, including the creation of lake views, pruning, landscaping, mowing or under brushing, is a federal crime punishable under the provisions of Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 327.14.

Tree vandalism can damage or destroy necessary vegetative buffer zones resulting in the loss of habitat, increased erosion, reduced water quality and degraded view shed aesthetics. In the past, the Corps has worked closely with violators to restore the areas and/or collect monetary value of damages to protect the natural resources of the lake. However, prevention of tree vandalism is the Corps’ primary objective.

Anyone who observes or has knowledge of theft, vandalism, or any other threat or suspicious activity against Corps property is also encouraged to participate in the “Corps Watch” program, which is a nationwide crime-watch program developed to protect public property managed by the Corps of Engineers. Each year, millions of your tax dollars are lost due to property damage from vandalism, larceny, arson, and environmental and cultural resource degradation. This program is

Draft Version - 124

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

designed to heighten public awareness of the impacts of crime within or around dams, lakes, locks, recreation areas, and other Corps of Engineers property and facilities.

Cultural Resource Vandalism

Some archaeological sites are present throughout Dale Hollow Lake. Collecting artifacts and illegal excavation of sites is prohibited under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 327.14 (Title 36) and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). In addition, the Archaeological Resources

Protection Act also extends to historic resources over 100 years old, which includes buildings and structures. Archaeological sites, historic buildings, and historic structures are non-renewable resources. Once the resource is damaged and destroyed, information about the resource is lost forever. As the stewards of these resources, the Corps is responsible for protecting and managing cultural resources for future generations.

The value of archaeological sites derives from the data and the context. The relationship of artifacts to one another spatially within a site provides insight into past cultures. When artifacts are removed from those contexts through uncontrolled excavation, the context is lost and little meaning can be assigned to the artifacts. Moreover, looters tend to be interested in specific complete artifacts such as projectile points, pots, or items of personal adornment. In the search for artifacts that may be salable on the black market, looters frequently destroy middens, which may be rich with information relating to diet (such as charred seeds and bones), pot holes, which reveal information on houses, families, and structures, burials, and other data rich features. Metal detecting is equally disruptive, because digging the metal object from the ground destroys the context and removes the object from the site. In turn, any future investigations of the site would be missing important pieces of information that lead to reliable interpretations about the past.

Looting is an illegal, unethical, and selfish act that leads to the loss of public resource and incurs public expense. Looting is punishable under Title 36 and ARPA. Under ARPA, looting is a felony and a first offense may result in fines up to $100,000 and one year in prison. A second offense may result in a maximum fine of $500,000 and five years in jail. Alternatively, illegal looting activities may be prosecuted under Title 36. In addition to the expenses incurred relating to the prosecution, the Corps must act to inventory the site damage, stabilize damage sites to prevent further natural erosion and curate artifacts in perpetuity.

Citizens providing tips leading to the arrest and prosecution of offenders may be rewarded up to $1,000. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act, Section 205 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000, and the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) authorize such awards. The “Corps Watch” toll free hotline at 1-866-413-7970 is available 24-hours-a-day to report theft, vandalism or any threat or suspicious activity against Corps property. Caller identity is protected and the proper

Draft Version - 125

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

authorities are notified. Legitimate excavations of archaeological sites are permissible by obtaining an Archaeological

Resources Protection Act Permit. An ARPA permit application requires a research design, field methodology, curation agreement and supervision by an archaeologist that meets the Secretary of

Interior’s qualifications for professional archaeologists (36 CFR part 61). Pursuant to Corps regulations, ARPA permit applications are reviewed by the Resource Manager’s office, coordinated with other elements of the District office as to the availability of civil lands for the permit activity by the District Real Estate Branch and the Cultural Resource Management staff will perform technical review, but may require additional reviews and consultation with Tribes.

Metal Detecting

Due to the potential to destroy archaeological sites and other natural resources, metal detecting is permitted in designated use areas only. The designated metal detecting use areas for Dale Hollow Lake are the sand beach and playground areas within the Obey River Recreation Area, Lillydale Recreation Area, and Willow Recreation Area. Metal detecting is prohibited in all other terrestrial and marine areas of Dale Hollow Lake.

User Fees – Entrance, Launching, and Parking Fees

ER 1165-2-400, dated 9 August 1985, authorizes the charging of user fees to the public to offset the costs of providing and maintaining recreation facilities and services. The Corps is limited to imposing user fees for use of campgrounds and specialized sites (day-use) which are directly operated by the Corps. Non-federal public agencies and out grantees may charge entrance and user fees commensurate with the development and services provided. All entrance and user fees must be approved by the Corps. Facilities provided at Corps projects must be open to all on equal terms and require uniform fee schedules for public use. Fees associated with parking within commercial marinas must be consistent with the surrounding market.

Boundary Line Disputes

The government boundary line has been surveyed, marked, and periodically remarked for over 75 years. U.S. Code, Title 28, Part VI, Chapter 161, paragraph 2409(g) states that: “Any civil action under this section, except for an action brought by a State, shall be barred unless it is commenced within twelve years of the date upon which it occurred. Such action shall be deemed to have

Draft Version - 126

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

occurred on the date the plaintiff or his predecessor in interest knew or should have known of the claim of the United States.” Based on the above, the Nashville District’s policy is that the marked government boundary has been in place for a sufficient time that we will no longer accept challenges to it. Project personnel can assist in identifying the marked boundary, which will be considered the definitive demarcation between Corps property and adjacent private or other non- Corps lands.

Marine Sanitation Environmental Compliance

In accordance with {Federal Register/Vol. 7, No. 191/ Posted Tuesday, October 3, 2006/Notices Section 312(f) (3) of Public Law 92-500 as amended by Public Law 95-217 and Public Law 100-4}, [FLR-8227-1], designates all bodies of water in Tennessee and Kentucky that are considered Dale Hollow Lake as a “No Discharge Zone” for purposes of disposing of any sewage (treated or untreated), galley waste or grey water from vessels with or without an installed Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs). All vessels while on the impoundment waters of Dale Hollow Reservoir must contain a holding tank and a marine y- valve lock. All effluents must be pumped to a land base permitted facility or hauled off project boundaries for proper disposal. U.S. Coast Guard regulations pertaining to MSDs can be found at: Coast Guard Regulations A

http://www.lrn’usace.army.mil/op/DAL/rec/index.htm

Regulations pertaining to MSDs first came about in the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970. Section 13 of that law mandated that the newly created Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgate standards designed to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage into waters of the United States. Section 13 was incorporated into the 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (later renamed the Clean Water Act) as Section 312, with two additions which allowed states to petition EPA to totally prohibit discharges into specified waters.

EPA designated two types of waters, (1) no discharge waters and (2) treated effluent waters, commonly referred to as discharge waters. No discharge waters included:

• Freshwater lakes, reservoirs, or impoundments whose inlets and outlets are such as to prevent the ingress and egress of vessels subject to Coast Guard regulations. • Rivers not capable of interstate transportation. • Other waters designated by the State as having special water quality needs which require stricter protection than Federal standards, such as water supply reservoirs. Requests for waivers must be fully justified and EPA must determine that adequate pump-out facilities are available before a petition would be granted.

Draft Version - 127

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Treated Effluent Waters included:

• Coastal waters and estuaries. • Great Lakes and their connections. • Freshwater lakes and impoundments accessible through locks. • Flowing waters that are capable of interstate navigation by boats subject to regulation.

Dale Hollow was originally classified as a discharge lake because it lies between the states of Kentucky and Tennessee and fell under (Interstate transportation/commerce clause). However, the two Governor’s and the Corps of Engineers signed a petition for exemption to reclassify Dale Hollow as a “No Discharge Zone” for the maintenance of clean waters and to better align with the intent of the Clean Water Act under section 312(f) (3). On October 3, 2006 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted in the Federal Register, a (Notice of Determination) that Dale Hollow Lake qualifies as a No Discharge Zone. Since this reservoir was absent a navigational lock and could not (in theory) reach tidal influenced waters, and is a total impoundment, the justification for declaration was determined. Water quality and tourism was a vital factor for the decision to petition EPA to change the designations. This would attribute to maintenance of pristine and clean waters on Dale Hollow Lake. All vessels now residing (privately owned or marina fleet vessels) on Dale Hollow Lake that are moored at designated facilities/ or placed on a temporary basis are restricted from discharging effluents and waste from a Marine Sanitation Device. All vessels must contain holding tanks and/or vessels that are equipped with marine sanitation devices still intact must close and secure all Y- Valves with a certified lock provided by state agencies of Kentucky and Tennessee. All 15 (fifteen) Marinas on Dale Hollow Lake provide pump-out facilities or pumping services and keep customer records of frequency of use. Signage placed at all boat ramps were provided by the “Friends of Dale Hollow” to provide the public notification of the requirements.

Clean Marina Program

The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary initiative that helps marina operators become more environmentally aware and protect the natural resources that provide their livelihood – clean water and fresh air. The Program is an education and outreach initiative that encourages the implementation of best management practices at marinas. Boaters are also encouraged to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors. "Clean Marina" designations recognize marinas for exceeding regulatory requirements by voluntarily incorporating higher environmental standards into daily operations. The Clean Marina Program also serves as a forum for sharing technical guidance on such items as solid and hazardous waste management, state and Federal regulations, and pollution prevention techniques.

Draft Version - 128

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Originally developed in coastal states to address non-point source pollution under the Coastal Zone

Management Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, Clean Marina Programs have been adopted or are being developed in 18 states (Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,

Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,

North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia), the District of Columbia and several

Federal agencies including the National Park Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Corps of Engineers. With 456 lakes around the United States, the Corps of Engineers, with our partners, is the largest provider of marinas east of the Mississippi River.

Building on the solid foundation of our Environmental Operating Principles and in implementation of our Civil Works Strategic Plan, the Corps of Engineers strongly endorses the Clean Marina

Program. Eight marinas within the Nashville District have been awarded Clean Marina status, four of which is on Dale Hollow Lake. For more information on the Clean Marina Program, see:

Clean Marina Program

Cumberland River Compact

Nashville District Guidelines and Policy for Cut and Fill Proposals

Drafted in December, 2002, this document provides formal guidelines and coordination procedures to evaluate cut and fill placement proposals on Corps of Engineers fee or flowage easement lands within the Nashville District. Typically the flowage easement estates contain restrictions that prohibit the construction of a habitable structures. These restrictions also prohibit the placement of any other structure, including fill material, without the approval of the District Engineer. Generally, no fill material will be allowed below the top of the flood control pool (651 feet AMSL) unless alternate storage volume is provided within same general elevation band. All requests for cut and fill placement shall be submitted in writing to the Resource Manager (RM). The RM will then submit the complete proposal to the Natural Resource Management Branch for routing to the appropriate offices.

Draft Version - 129

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

American Bald Eagle

Dale Hollow Lake is home to second largest overwintering population in Tennessee of the American Bald Eagle. Eagle Tours are provided free of charge by the Corps of Engineers on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of January each year. Reservations for the tour can made by phoning the Resource Managers Office beginning November 15th of the prior year.

A Partnership was developed in 2016 between the USACE, FRIENDS of Dale Hollow Lake, Dale Hollow Lake Marina Association and Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperation to install a live feed web camera over an active American Bald Eagle nest on Dale Hollow Lake. This camera has become very popular worldwide and provides the viewing public the opportunity to see nature up close and learn the life cycle of this majestic creature.

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S. C. 668-688d) prohibits the taking of eagles, and provides criminal penalties for any person who 'take, possess, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport any bald or golden eagle, alive or dead, or any part, next, or egg without a permit. The Department of Interior's Morton Policy issued in 1975 by then Secretary of Interior Rogers C.B. Morton provides certain exemptions for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. On October 12, 2012, the Attorney General of the United States reaffirmed the Morton Policy. Pertinent to Dale Hollow Lake, enrolled members of federally recognized tribes may acquire "from the wild, without compensation of any kind, naturally molted or fallen feathers of federally protected birds, without molesting or disturbing such birds or their nests." The Corps works with Tribal Partners to coordinate collections that meet the terms of the Morton Policy to assist with their ability to meaningfully practice their religions and preserve their cultures.

Guidelines for Issuance of Outgrants

National Land Use Policy for Recreational and Non-Recreational Outgrants

A national land use policy for recreational outgrants, titled “Recreational Outgrant Development Policy”, was issued by the Corps in December, 2005. This policy outlines the Corps’ philosophy and guidelines related to the acceptable types of uses of Corps-managed public lands. A sister policy for activities not involving recreation, such as roadways, utilities, commercial or residential development, municipal requests for infrastructure, state and federal agency requests for use of Corps-managed lands, etc., was published in March, 2009 titled “Non-Recreational Outgrant Policy. Both policies have been incorporated into the ER-1130-2-550 in Chapters 16 and 17.

Nashville District Outgrant Guidelines

A Real Estate outgrant is generally defined as a written document setting the terms and conditions of non-Army use of public property and conveys or grants the right to use Army-controlled real

Draft Version - 130

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

property. Common outgrants include public park and recreation leases, commercial concession leases, fish and wildlife licenses, agricultural leases and various easements for roadways, communication lines, power lines and water or sewer lines. Each outgrant proposal will be reviewed for compatibility with all project purposes, current policies and regulations to include ER 1130-2- 550, Chapters 16 and 17, ER 405-1-12, Chapter 8, environmental impacts and concerns, cultural resources effects and compliance, fish and wildlife, endangered species, public sentiment and the overall public interest. Outgrant requests will be processed in accordance with the Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for Processing Major Outgrants and standard processes set by USACE.

All federal actions are subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) coordination and compliance reviews. Minor requests with minimal environmental impact may be determined to fit a Categorical Exclusion under NEPA. Requests involving more than minor impacts may require an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Assessments must consider, among other factors, cultural and historic resources, water quality, air quality, threatened and endangered species, economic and social impacts, aesthetics, hazardous substances and cumulative impacts. Coordination also occurs with corresponding Federal agencies, state agencies and public involvement with respect to requested activities.

Smallmouth Bass Fisheries

Dale Hollow Lake is nationally renowned as an excellent fishing lake especially for the Smallmouth Bass. The World Record Smallmouth was caught at Dale Hollow on July 9, 1955 and weighed in at 11 lbs. 15oz. The world’s second and third largest Smallmouth have also been caught at Dale Hollow as well. Due to the large buffer zone and minimal development around Dale Hollow Lake, the water is crystal clear and provides excellent opportunities for different species of grass to grow which provide habitat for all fish species.

Paddlesports

Paddlesports (canoes, kayaks, paddle boards etc.) have become more and more popular over the last few years at Dale Hollow Lake. As of 2018 one business is located in Celina, Tennessee that operates a paddle sports rental company. This business rents the equipment off Corps property, then brings the customer and launches the canoes/kayaks on the Obey River and picks them back up downstream at Donaldson Park. It appears that paddle sports are also becoming more popular on the main lake as well. Although this activity is legal, it can become very dangerous on busy weekends on the main lake with other power boats/vessels.

Draft Version - 131

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Primitive Camping Program

Dale Hollow has the largest primitive camping program in the Nashville District. The primitive camping program is a unique series of 31 locations with a total of over 70 individually designated family campsites dispersed over 620 miles of shoreline. Campsites are located in both the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. Primitive camping offers a unique lake front camping experience. Remote locations along the shoreline offer campers a peaceful nature experience. Most designated tent sites are accessible only by boat; while a few can be reached by rural roads. Each location is designated and marked and has a vault or pit type toilet and a ground grill or fire circle. All areas are considered “pack it in-pack it out” locations with minimal services. Campers are expected to bring plenty of water and garbage bags. These sites must be reserved before use. The reservations for these sites are made through the National Recreation Reservation System either by telephone or online.

Accordion Bluff Trail

This is a 7.5-mile stretch of scenic foot trail connecting Lillydale and Willow Grove Campgrounds, both located approximately 20 miles north of Livingston, Tenn. This natural soil surface trail winds along the shoreline of Dale Hollow Lake, ascends to the ridge-top and then returns back toward the shoreline. The area is thickly forested and contains some old growth timber. Accordion Bluff is ideal for birders and wildflower enthusiasts. Parking is available at each trailhead. Accordion Bluff Hiking Trail is approximately 7.5 miles long one-way. It is not a loop trail. The trail is an easy to moderate hike for the majority of the distance. However, there is a steep and difficult hike up to the ridge top. The trail then meanders at a level pace before a steep descent back down near the lake. Allow approximately 6 to 7 hours for a quick pace hike of the trail. For a more leisurely walk, allow 8 to 10 hours.

Reciprocal Fishing Area on Wolf River

The entire reach of the Wolf River on Dale Hollow Lake is designated as a reciprocal fishing zone. This means that anyone fishing on the Wolf River may possess either a Kentucky or Tennessee fishing license for this area only. This agreement was passed by the conservation/wildlife commission of Kentucky and Tennessee. Reasoning behind this is because the Wolf River winds in and out of state boundaries at frequent locations along the river stretch making it difficult to determine location without confusion.

Draft Version - 132

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Drones

The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones, has become increasingly popular. However, due to the potential breaches of security in and around critical infrastructure (locks, dams, power plants, and switch yards) and user conflicts at recreation areas, the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers passed a policy in 2016 limiting the use of UAS by the public at Corps projects. According to the policy, UAS operation for hobby, recreational, and/or commercial purposes is prohibited unless authorized by the District Commander. USACE regulation regarding the public and commercial operation of aircraft, including UAS, is contained in 36 CFR, Chapter III, Part 327.4, Aircraft. Due to these limitations, Keisling Bottom Access Area is the only area approved for the operation of UAS at Dale Hollow Lake.

Operators are reminded that they will be held liable for damage to Corps of Engineers property resulting from piloting a UAS or any other activity associated with operating a UAS. The operation of unmanned aircraft that harasses or jeopardizes wildlife or critical habitat is prohibited. UAS should be operated in accordance with applicable state laws and Federal Aviation Administration regulations including any UAS registration requirements. They may be flown only during daylight hours only and while maintaining a visual line of sight of the aircraft while it is in operation. Operators who wish to request exceptions to the policy, or for commercial use must contact the Dale Hollow Lake Resource Manager’s Office.

Mineral Exclusion and Extraction

On 19 March 2001, a request was submitted by Nashville District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to exclude the Dale Hollow Dam and Lake Project from Oil and Gas Leasing, Mineral exploration and extraction. This request was routed through Headquarters in Washington for the endorsement of a waiver recommending the Secretary of the Army to exempt all lands and waters at Dale Hollow project from future exploration. The main purpose for the wavier was to minimize the potential for water pollution from the possible re-pressurization and rupture of the abandoned plugged oil wells beneath the reservoir that were drilled during pre-impoundment with most being sunk during the 20’s and 30’s. Environmental risk factors of possible contamination leading from any future mineral exploration and extraction operations outweighed all exploration benefits. Potential devastating effects on the environment, water quality and local economy which are dependent on the maintenance of clean pristine waters of Dale Hollow Lake was the major factors for determination. On July 12, 2001 an exemption request was approved based upon the adverse potential impact and signed by Paul W. Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army.

Draft Version - 133

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 7 Agency and Public Coordination

Minutes from Stakeholder Meeting, April 2018

ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD

DALE HOLLOW LAKE MASTER PLAN REVISION

DRAFT: Minutes – Stakeholder Meeting

CELRN-OPM-DHR 18 April 2018

SUBJECT: Dale Hollow Lake MP Revision – Stakeholder Meeting Minutes

Purpose: Kickoff to inform Dale Hollow Lake Stakeholders about the Master Plan Revision, process, and information that would be helpful to the master plan process.

1. The following participants attended the meeting on 17 April 2018:

List attendees Attendees contact info and office

Allison Walker USACE Nashville District Office, [email protected], 615-736-7988

Myles Barton USACE Nashville District Office, [email protected], 615-736-2868

Stephen Beason USACE Dale Hollow Lake, [email protected], 931-243- 3136

Spencer Taylor USACE Dale Hollow Lake, [email protected], 931-243- 3136

Mark Herd USACE MCA Area Office, [email protected], 615-735-1034

Kenny Claywell USACE Cordell Hull Lake, [email protected], 615-735- 1034

Draft Version - 134

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

List attendees Attendees contact info and office

Luke Navarro USACE Cordell Hull Lake, [email protected] , 615-735-1034

Mike Strunk KY Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, [email protected] , 606-677-1098

Toni Johnson FRIENDS of Dale Hollow, [email protected], 931-261-0231

Frank Brendel Dale Hollow Lake Marina Association, [email protected], 270-406-3450

Tom Allen Dale Hollow Lake Marina Association, [email protected] , 931-397-1114

Billy Robbins Pickett County/Byrdstown Chamber of Commerce, [email protected] , 931-864-7195

Doug Young Clay County Chamber of Commerce, [email protected] , 931-243- 3338

Rita Reagan-Underhill Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce, [email protected] , 931-823-6421 ext. 2

2. Meeting Minutes

Discussion Items:

A. Master Plan Overview Presentation – Stephen & Allison (see powerpoint presentations) i. Stephen gave a brief presentation on Dale Hollow Lake, information provided included: Historical Facts, Project Statistics, Staff, Unique Features/Characteristics, Facility Information, and Future Potential Concerns. ii. Allison’s presentation covered the basics of the Master Plan Revision and explained the different stakeholders responsibilities and duties. Master Plans are typically revised every 20-25 years, Dale Hollow’s MP hasn’t been through a full revision since 1976. A time line of the revision process was presented and input from the stakeholders was requested throughout the process. B. General Discussion i. Q: What are some examples of Special Topics in Chapter 6 of the Master Plan? Would this include water storage for Water Utility Departments? A: This could be listed under the Special Topics in Chapter 6 but would be covered thoroughly in Chapter 2. Some examples of topics in Chapter 6 would include: Endangered

Draft Version - 135

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Species located at the project, Dale Hollow Eagle Cam Partnership, Drone Policy, Etc… ii. Q: Will the powerpoint presentations be provided? A: Yes they can be emailed to all of the stakeholders. iii. Q: Are there any future plans for Pleasant Grove? Will overnight camping ever be allowed again? A: As of right now the Corps does not see any change to Pleasant Grove. This area will continue to be a day use area providing a boat ramp, hiking trail and picnic area. Camping at this specific area was closed under the REAL Program in 2003-2004. iv. Q: What is the possibility that there could be a kiosk at each campground that offers campers a brochure provided by each Chamber of Commerce to educate them on the surrounding business and activities? A: We (the Corps) have looked at this proposal in the past with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and are open to the idea as long as every business has an equal opportunity to advertise in the brochure. More discussions will be needed on this topic. v. Q: Are there any plans of getting Wi-Fi in the Campgrounds? A: We have looked into the possibility of installing Wi-Fi service into a few of our campgrounds due to increasing demand by the public. Several issues have arose during the process and have delayed any installation at this point. More research is taking place on this matter and we hope to come to a solution in the near future. vi. Q: What is the Drone Policy on Dale Hollow Lake? A: Nashville District’s Unmanned Aircraft System Policy will be sent out to the stakeholder group. Specific areas on Corps lands are designated as “ok” (Keisling Bottom at Dale Hollow). Everything else requires a letter of permission. Corps understands the capability for drones to provide excellent marketing products for marinas and the region, and seeks to make getting a letter of permission as easy as possible without compromising the safety of the public or security of infrastructure. vii. Q: Are we seeing any Water Quality degradation? Is the water becoming dirtier due to increasing adjacent agricultural practices as time goes on? A: The Corps and TDEC are always testing water quality. We have not seen any changes and if water becomes hazardous, we would close access. Corps water quality office can provide additional information on this as part of their section in Chapter 2 of the Master Plan viii. Q: Has the Corps received any feedback on the budget at Dale Hollow? Increase or Decrease? A: As of right now we don’t see any major increase in the near future of the budget but we have also not been made aware of any major cuts to the budget as well. ix. Q: Are there currently any plans to work on Dale Hollow Dam similar to what took place at Wolf Creek Dam? A: No, the Corps studied structural safety at each dam in

Draft Version - 136

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

the Nashville District and found no real critical problems with Dale Hollow Dam. Although all dams have some issues due to age, no future construction plans exist for Dale Hollow. x. Q: What is the timeframe/deadline for submitting any comments or feedback for the Master plan revision? A: Anytime, the strawman (working draft) will be provided to each stakeholder shortly, and we looking forward to any suggestions each of you may have. xi. Comment: Competition is tough for Marinas on Dale Hollow Lake due to the number of Marinas on the lake. *Marinas in a direct lease with the Corps perceive Dale Hollow State Park Marina, which is operated under a sublease of the State Park, to have an unfair competitive advantage due to the rent structure and possible subsidies.* xii. Comment: The gap between the marinas that are trying their hardest and the marinas that are barely getting by and not investing in their facilities is becoming larger at Dale Hollow.

Data requests/Action Items:

A. Spencer/Gregg – email the strawman version of the MP to the stakeholders along with web address for prior Master Plans. B. Allison- email powerpoint presentation to each stake holder. C. Spencer- Email Drone Policy to each stakeholder. Plan Forward

A. Please provide comments to Spencer Taylor (before 1 May) or Gregg Nivens (after 1 May) at any time. Email works best for us so we have a record of your comments verbatim (as opposed to us trying to paraphrase from a phone call). B. Allison will send out requested materials to the stakeholders (Draft Classification Maps) C. Spencer/Gregg will send out updated drafts of the Master Plan Revision as appropriate along with web address to access electronic copies of the 1976 Master Plan and 1991 supplement. • Disclaimer

This document is not intended as an exact translation but is intended to address generalized topics of discussion covered during the meeting.

Submitted 18 April 2018

PREPARED BY: Spencer Taylor Tel: 931-243-3136

Draft Version - 137

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Stakeholder Engagement

As a follow up to the original stakeholder meeting held on 18-April-2018, the Dale Hollow Lake Resource Manager’s Office solicited feedback on the Draft – Dale Hollow Lake Master Plan Revision dated 16-January-2019 in the form of an email request. This re-engagement of stakeholders was sent out 16-January-2019 with all comments due back via email by 16-February-2019.

No comments or feedback were received from the Dale Hollow Lake stakeholder group. Therefore, no follow up meeting was scheduled for stakeholders to reconvene. The stakeholder group will again be notified for comments and/or participation in the full public workshop once scheduled.

Draft Version - 138 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake Chapter 8 Summary of Recommendations

Summary of Classification Changes

Guide to highlights: No change Clarification (see notes) Change

1976 MP Site 2018 MP Number (and Revision Site 1976 2018 Notes Name) Number (and Classification Classification Name)

301 (Horse 001 (Horse High Density High Density Creek Dock and Creek Dock) Recreation Recreation Resort)

001 (Horse 601 (Horse Environmentally Creek Dock) Creek ESA) Sensitive Area

Island Camping on island 003 (Pleasant 103 (Pleasant was closed in 2004 in Grove Grove High Density High Density correlation with RECRA Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation directions for under- Area) Area) utilized areas

Additional Parking lot was approved in 2001 along with added rental 004 (Cedar Hill 304 (Cedar Hill High Density High Density boat slips. Swimming Dock) Marina) Recreation Recreation Pool was closed in 1997. Camping closed in the 80’s converting to cabin rentals only.

305 (Dale High Density High Density Area in this classification 005 (Dale Hollow Marina) Recreation Recreation map correctly reflects Hollow Dock) size of the Dale Hollow

Draft Version - 139 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Marina lease area that was expanded in 1991.

123 -40 additional 008 (Dale 108 (Dale campsites, bike trail, Hollow Dam Hollow Dam Project Project fishing piers and Recreation Recreation Operations Operations restrooms have been Area) Area) added since 1976.

MR-Vegetative The area not within the 009 (First Island PC (First Island High Density Management/ developed as recreation Recreation Primitive Camp Recreation Island/primitive area but now is managed Area) site) camping for primitive/island.

012 (Holly 312 (Holly High Density High Density Creek Dock) Creek Marina) Recreation Recreation

Current area consist of 88 campsites. Day Use and Parking expansion 014 (Willow 114 (Willow met developmental Grove Grove High Density High Density proposals since 1976. Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation No future expansion is Area) Area) proposed beyond upgrade of non-electric sites based on additional funds.

014 (Willow 314 (Willow High Density High Density Grove Marina Grove Marina) Recreation Recreation

017 (Hendricks 317 (Hendricks High Density High Density Creek Dock) Creek Marina) Recreation Recreation

019 (Lillydale 119 (Lillydale Current area consist of High Density High Density Recreation Recreation 115 campsites. No future Recreation Recreation Area) Area) expansion is proposed.

021 (Dale 321 (Dale New parking lot and High Density High Density Hollow State Hollow State ramp established in Recreation Recreation Park) Park Marina) 2002. Marina was made available for private

Draft Version - 140 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

lease for Houseboats and various watercrafts in 2004.

022 (Wisdom 322 (Wisdom High Density High Density

Dock) Marina) Recreation Recreation

024 (Eagles 324 (Eagles High Density High Density Cove Dock) Cove Resort Recreation Recreation and Marina)

025 (Star Point 325 (Star Point High Density High Density

Dock) Marina) Recreation Recreation

027 (Wolf River 327 (Wolf River High Density High Density Dock) Resort and Recreation Recreation Marina)

029 (Cove 129 (Cove Creek Creek High Density High Density

Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation Area) Area)

Majority of marina facilities and expansion was moved in and established in 1990 032 (Sunset 333 (Sunset High Density High Density included lease expansion Marina) Marina) Recreation Recreation of water and land. This included expanded parking, houseboat moorage and rentals, and added rental cabins.

No additional land 033 (Obey 132 (Obey acquisition was ever River River High Density High Density acquired for expansion. Recreation Recreation Recreation Recreation Current area consist of Area) Area) 132 campsites. No future expansion is proposed

Draft Version - 141

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

036 ( East Port 336 ( East Port High Density High Density

Dock) Marina) Recreation Recreation

040 (Mitchell 340 (Mitchell High Density High Density

Creek Marina) Creek Marina) Recreation Recreation

042 (Sulphur 342(Sulphur High Density High Density Creek Dock and Creek Marina) Recreation Recreation Campground)

053 (Salvation 453 (Salvation High Density High Density

Army Camp Army Camp) Recreation Recreation

Area upgraded facilities including lease 400 (Trooper High Density expansion, paved road, 100 (Trooper High Density Island Youth Recreation new counselor residence Island) Recreation Camp) (quasi-public) and office, new cafeteria, water septic and medic facilities

Area was not developed. Currently recreation needs are met by 204 (Red Oak 439 (Red Oak High Density MR-Low Density adjacent rec areas and Ridge Hiking Ridge) Recreation Recreation marina. Currently Recreation managed for vegetative Area) management and riding trail.

Area was not developed. Currently recreation needs are met by 205 (Illwill PC (Jarvis Point Natural Area adjacent rec areas and MR - Low Density Recreation Primitive Camp (primitive marina. Currently Recreation Area) Site) campsite) managed for vegetative and minimal development, this area will be classified as low density recreation in

Draft Version - 142

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

keeping with current regulation definitions, and classifications for similar areas across the district

Area was not developed. Currently recreation needs are met by adjacent rec areas and 206 (Jones marina. Currently 206 (Jones Natural Area Chapel MR - Low Density managed for vegetative Chapel Access (secondary Recreation Recreation and minimal Area) access point) Area) development, this area will be classified as low density recreation/ gravel boat launch/vault toilet.

Due to the previous designation as

“secondary access point” as well as the limited amenities and minimal 208 (Ashburn (Ashburn Natural Area development, this area MR - Low Density Creek Creek Access (secondary will be classified as low Recreation Recreation Area) access point) density recreation in Area keeping with current regulation definitions, and classifications for similar areas across the district

MOU with Tennessee Wildlife and Resources Agency committed and 209 (Swan 602 (Swann Low Density Environmentally limited future Ridge/Standing Ridge) Recreation Sensitive Stone State development for fish and Park Annex) wildlife management and protection.

Draft Version - 143

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

MOU with Tennessee Wildlife and Resources 601 (Horse 210 (Canoe Agency committed and Creek Also High Density Environmentally Ridge) limited future known as Recreation Sensitive development for fish and Canoe Ridge) wildlife management and protection.

None 603 (Fox Environmentally Natural Area Historical Area Springs ESA) Sensitive Area

None 604 (Colson Low Density Environmentally Neo-tropical bird habitat Creek ESA) Recreation Sensitive Area (Wood Thrush species)

None 605 (Rock Environmentally Natural Area Important spawning area House ESA) Sensitive Area

None 606 (Pine Environmentally Purple Martin migration Natural Area Island ESA Sensitive Area staging area

None Important area for 607 (Rock Environmentally shadow fisheries species Natural Area Springs ESA) Sensitive Area on deep columned rock out cropping’s

None MOU with Kentucky Wildlife and Fisheries Resources committed 608 (Pusley Environmentally Natural Area and limited future Ridge ESA) Sensitive Area development for fish and wildlife management and protection.

None MOU with Kentucky Wildlife and Fisheries Resources committed 609 (Boom Environmentally Natural Area and limited future Ridge ESA) Sensitive Area development for fish and wildlife management and protection.

Draft Version - 144

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

This area is listed as 610 (Wolf River Environmentally critical habitat for the None Natural Area ESA) Sensitive Area Fluted Kidneyshell Mussel.

Significant Changes in the Revision of the Master Plan

ER-1130-2-550 and ER 1130-2-540 and their implementing guideline EPs were issued in 2013. The primary goals, objectives and guidelines are reflected in this Master Plan. The full text of these regulations is available on-line. Only the major changes and statements of particular interest have been addressed here and should reflect only a summary of the major changes in the MP.

These include not only changes to the Master Plan document or regulations themselves, but also new policies, guidelines and funding realities that affect the administration of Dale Hollow Lake.

• Web Based Master Plan: The Master Plan Update and all associated documents will be posted on the internet to encourage fast and easy access for the public, as well as allow for changes to statistics, figures, and documents to be made significantly faster than it would be to reprint paper copies. • Increased Outgranting: If non-Corps entities are willing and able to assume responsibilities for operating and maintaining existing public recreation facilities or develop new facilities that meet or exceed Corps standards, and provide the public an equal or better level of service, the Corps has a strong interest in partnering to do so. • The Federal Funding Environment: Due to funding constraints over recent decades, the Corps has been unable to continue development or cost sharing in recreation developments. Concessionaires have assumed maintenance responsibilities in exchange for authority to charge reasonable fees for public launching and “managed parking” to recoup some of their costs. • Land Allocation/Classification: EP 1130-2-550 (2013) outlined land use allocations and classifications that need to be designated for all lands within Corps jurisdiction. Categories In 1976 included Fish and Wildlife Lands, Reserve Forest Lands, Operational Lands, and

Recreation Lands. Classification outlined in EP 1130-2-550 and the corresponding designations for lands on Dale Hollow Lake can be found in Chapter 4.

Table 8.1 - Comparison of Land Classification Acreage

Draft Version - 145

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Classifications used in 1976 Approximate Classifications in 2013 guidance Approximate guidance Acreage Acreage (used for 2019 MP) Project Operations 153 Project Operations 131 Multiple Resource - Vegetative 0 Fish and Wildlife – Forest 20,864 Management Management Lands Multiple Resource - Wildlife 19,228 Management Historic or Natural Areas 0 Environmentally Sensitive Areas 4,162 High Density Recreation 2,446 High Density Recreation 2,153 Low Density Recreation 2,832 Multiple Resource - Low Density 1,413 Recreation Limited Use/Proposed 0 Multiple Resource - 359 Recreation Future/Inactive Recreation Unclassified Acreage 713 Unclassified Acreage 0 • Off-Road Vehicle Use: In reviewing E.O. 11644, as amended by E.O. 11989, it was determined that off-road use within the Dale Hollow Lake Project is inconsistent with the typical multiple resource management practices, such as management for hunting, fishing, photography, nature hikes, bird watching, etc. • Carrying Capacity: At this time, and into foreseeable future, the Corps has no plans of actively limiting uses beyond those already in place. If future public usage increases to the extent that significant use conflicts occur, a formal carrying capacity study may be warranted if it could lead to solutions not available in the absence of such a report. At this time, such a study would have little meaningful utility. • Tree Vandalism: Efforts to prevent vandalism include warnings, restitution agreements, citations and at times court action to recover damages. This policy was implemented to allow moratorium to be placed on issuing of any permits/licenses in the affected and damaged area. • Boundary Line Policy: Nashville District’s policy is that the marked government boundary has been in place for a sufficient time that we will no longer accept challenges to it. Project personnel can assist in identifying the marked boundary, which will be considered the definitive demarcation between Corps property and adjacent private or other non-Crops lands. Responsibility falls on the land owner to get any boundary line disputes surveyed. • Floating Cabins, Privately Owned Cabins, and Condos Section 1148 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA 2016) and the associated HQ USACE floating cabin implementation policy, dated May 18, 2017, establish consistent policies, procedures, and responsibilities to facilitate the Corps' evaluation of requests for the addition of floating cabins and their associated moorings/slips in the Cumberland River Basin. • User Fees: Concessionaires are authorized to implement user fees to the public to offset the costs of providing and maintaining recreation facilities and services.

Draft Version - 146

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

• Clean Marina Program: “Clean Marina” designations recognize marinas for exceeding regulatory requirements by voluntarily incorporating higher environmental standards into daily operations. The Clean Marina Program also serves as a forum for sharing technical guidance on such items as forum for sharing technical guidance on such items as solid and hazardous water management, state and Federal regulations and pollution prevention techniques. • Environmental Operating Principles: These principles foster unity of purpose on environmental issues, reflect a new tone and direction for dialogue on environmental matters, and ensure that employees consider conservation, environmental preservation and restoration in all Corps activities. • Nashville District and National Parking Policies: This documents Nashville District’s requirements for parking and launching facilities for all areas in the District. • Nashville District Fill Policy: This policy contains the guidelines for cut and fill in the Nashville District, primarily stating that no net loss in flood storage capacity is permitted. • Recreation Development Policy for Outgranted Corps Lands: This policy contains guidance to establish consistent, nationwide policy that will be applied to evaluate requests for recreation development at Corps water resources development projects. The intent is to provide public outdoor recreation opportunities that support project purposes and meet the recreation demands created by the project itself while sustaining our natural resources. • Non-Recreational Outgrant Policy: This policy contains guidance to establish a consistent, nationwide policy that will be applied to evaluate non-recreational real estate outgrant requests for use of Civil Works lands and waters. The intent is to meet legitimate needs for the use of project lands and waters while sustaining our natural resources and protecting authorized project purposes. • Environmentally Sensitive Areas: The establishment of Environmentally Sensitive Areas was called for in the Corps’ 2013 Master Planning regulations. Dale Hollow Lake has many special areas that are deserving of such recognition due to their aesthetic, cultural, ecological or scientific values. Several areas have been reclassified as environmentally sensitive.

Draft Version - 147

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake Chapter 9 Bibliography

One particularly important societal change since the last revision that has had a tremendous impact on the availability of current information is the nearly universal access to the internet and electronic mail. This allows anyone with a desire to know to gain immediate access to the latest demographic makeup and trends associated with any county surrounding the DaleHollow Lake area, the economic base of the region, access to local, state, and federal databases of a whole host of subjects such as threatened and endangered plant and animal species, water quality, environmental studies, tourism information, employment, and even the latest public notices and status of Corps activities, such as emergency operations, water levels, or public meetings. Obviously, such information in static form in a Master Planning document would be quickly outdated. Therefore, that type of information, which was a routine component of earlier Master Plans is not presented in this document. Internet search functions will generally allow access to the full text of laws, regulations, and major policies cited in this update. Where not obvious, every attempt will be made to guide the reader to applicable citations. In addition, the Corps of Engineers maintains an exhaustive information base about the Corps, its activities, projects, regulations, etc., including those pertaining to Dale Hollow Lake, at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil. For answers to questions that cannot be found through these resources, there is always email and one-on-one personal communication. Questions or comments can be directed to the Resource Managers Office at 540 Dale Hollow Dam Road, Celina, TN 38551, phone 931-243-3136 or to the Nashville District Corps of Engineers, Natural Resources Management Branch, 110 9th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, phone 615-736-5115.

Sources

Doug Streett, US Forest Service. (2014, April 29). Southern Pine Beetle. Retrieved from U.S. Forest Service Research and Development: https://www.fs.fed.us/research/invasive- species/insects/southern-pine-beetle.php

Etneir, D. A. (1993). The Fishes of Tennessee. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press.

Lensing, J. (Accessed 2018, August 1). Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey. Retrieved from University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: http://ky- caps.ca.uky.edu/hemlock-woolly-adelgid

McKelway, H. S., Clay, R., Mauck, J., & Bradbury, A. (1998). Limited Archaeological Investigations at Dale Hollow Lake, Final Report. Report prepared by Cultural Resource, Inc. for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville Ditrict.

Draft Version - 148 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Michigan State University, P. U. (2018, July). Emerald Ash Borer Information Network. Retrieved from Emerald Ash Borer Information Network: http://emeraldashborer.info/

Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium (MRLC). (2011). National Land Cover Database (NLCD). Retrieved from www.mrlc.gov

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2017). Climate Data Online Search. Retrieved from https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/pfds_map_cont.html?bkmrk=tn

National Weather Service. (2017). Retrieved from National Weather Service: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.5507&lon=-85.5068

NRRS. (2017). National Recreation Reservation System.

OMBIL. (2017). Operations and Maintenance Business Information Link (OMBIL). USACE.

(2014-2019). Outdoor Recration in Kentucky Assessment, Policies and Actions. Steve Beshear, Governor Commonwealth of Kentucky.

ProtectTennesseeForests. (Accessed 2018, August 1). Emerald Ash Borer. Retrieved from Protect Tennessee Forests: http://protecttnforests.org/emerald_ash_borer.html

Smithsonian Institution, River Basins Surveys. (1947). Appraisal of the Archaeological Resources of the Center Hill Reservoir, Tennessee.

TDEC. (2009). Tennessee 2020: Vision for Parks, People & Landscapes. Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, State of Tennessee.

Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. (2000). Tennessee Ecoregion Project, 1994- 1999.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Natural Areas. (2017, August 23). Map of Rare Species within One Mile of Center Hill Project Boundaries.

TN Department of Agriculture. (2016, September). Retrieved from Protect TN Forests.org: http://protecttnforests.org/emerald_ash_borer.html

U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Nashville District. (2017). Dale Hollow Water Control Manual: .

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District. (1976). Dale Hollow Lake Master Plan.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District. (2011). Dale Hollow Operational Management Plan.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2012, October 17). Invasive Species. Retrieved from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/invasives/

Draft Version - 149

US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2019, April 08). Environmental Conservation Online System. Retrieved from https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp

US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2017, April 25). iPac Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habitats Listing in Project Review Area. Retrieved from https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/

USEPA Ecoregions. (2017, February). Retrieved from US Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregion-download-files-state-region-6

VERS. (2019, March). Retrieved from Natural Resources Management Gateway: https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/employees/usurveys/usurveys.cfm

Weather Spark. (2017). Retrieved from Average Weather in Celina, TN: https://weatherspark.com/y/15150/Average-Weather-in-Celina-Tennessee-United-States- Year-Round

Westerdahl, Howard E. and Getsinger, Kurt D. (1988, November) Aquatic Plant Identification and Herbicide Use Guide Volume II: Aquatic Plants and Susceptibility to Herbicides, US Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station

Draft Version - 150 US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan Revision Nashville District Dale Hollow Lake

Chapter 10 Appendixes

Summary of Stakeholder Comments

Summary of Public Comments

Classification Maps and Plates

NEPA Documents

Draft Version - 151