Work crews at Wolf Creek Dam hit a major milestone Wednesday, successfully removing the first of its massive spillway gates. This action signals the modernization of the dam's infrastructure, replacing all 10 original tainter gates and lifting equipment that have been in continuous operation since 1952.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District and its contractor, American Bridge Company, slid the spillway gate onto a platform that could be moved onto a work barge located next to the dam on Lake Cumberland.

Corps of Engineers’ water managers are maintaining lake levels within current parameters agreed upon with the Southeastern Power Administration. The public will not experience significant drawdowns of the lake elevation. The most distinguishable change to reservoir levels during the construction period, may be a lower peak summer pool from 723 feet to closer to 720 feet. This adjustment lowers project risk during construction while still falling within current operating targets.