Herrington Lake is Kentucky’s deepest lake, with a reported depth of 249 feet at Dix Dam. Lake Cumberland reaches about 200 feet in its old river channel near Wolf Creek Dam. Here are the lakes, where their deep water lies, and how depth differs from the water-level readings you see before a trip. This guide is part of our Kentucky Lakes Database.
The deepest lakes in Kentucky
- Herrington Lake – about 249 feet, the deepest lake in Kentucky, on the Dix River near Danville.
- Lake Cumberland – about 200 feet (61 m) in the old river channel near Wolf Creek Dam; water depth varies with the reservoir level.
- Laurel River Lake – a deep, exceptionally clear lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
- Dale Hollow Lake – roughly 150 feet deep, famous for clear water and smallmouth bass.
- Wood Creek Lake – about 127 feet, near London.
- Cannon Creek Lake – about 95 feet, a small but very deep water-supply lake near Pineville.
- Fishtrap Lake – about 84 feet, the deepest lake in eastern Kentucky, behind the state’s highest dam.
Lake Cumberland: depth and water level explained
About 200 feet (61 m) in the old river channel near Wolf Creek Dam, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. That is a depth below the water surface; the lake level changes with rainfall and dam releases. For marinas, fishing and places to stay, see our Lake Cumberland visitor guide.
The familiar 723-foot summer-pool figure is an elevation above mean sea level. It does not mean the lake is 723 feet deep. USACE lists 723 feet as the top of the power pool and 760 feet as the top of the flood-control pool.
Depth measures the distance from the surface to the bottom at one spot. Lower the surface and there is less water over that same spot; coves and ramps can become shallow even while the old river channel remains deep. USACE explains how it stores and releases water for flood management and electricity generation.
The reading changes daily. See the USACE Lake Cumberland water-level report and check its observation time. A reading in feet above mean sea level describes the height of the surface, not the depth beneath your boat.
Why these lakes are so deep
Kentucky’s deepest lakes fall into two groups. The river-gorge reservoirs – Herrington, Cumberland, Fishtrap – were created by tall dams flooding steep, narrow river valleys, so they’re deep and cliff-lined. The others are small, steep-sided impoundments like Cannon Creek and Lake Carnico that punch above their size. That depth keeps the water cold and clear – which is why several deep Kentucky lakes can support trout, and why Dale Hollow and Laurel River are renowned for clear-water smallmouth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deepest lake in Kentucky?
Herrington Lake. Its operator, Kentucky Utilities, reports a depth of 249 feet (76 m) at Dix Dam. Lake Cumberland reaches about 200 feet near Wolf Creek Dam.
How deep is Lake Cumberland?
About 200 feet (61 m) in the old river channel near Wolf Creek Dam, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. That is a depth below the water surface; the lake level changes with rainfall and dam releases.
Are there deep lakes for trout in Kentucky?
Yes – deep, cold lakes and tailwaters such as Lake Cumberland, Laurel River, Wood Creek and Cannon Creek support trout, in addition to the famous Cumberland tailwater below Wolf Creek Dam.
See the largest lakes, best lakes, or head back to the Kentucky Lakes Database.
