Hot temperatures have Kentuckians looking for ways the beat the heat. One of the most popular methods is going out on a nearby lake. Herrington Lake, in central Kentucky, is the state's deepest lake at 249 feet. It spans Mercer, Garrard, and Boyle Counties and is considered the first large reservoir in Kentucky.
Mike Holdren has written a book about the 100th anniversary of the creation of the body of water.
During an interview with WEKU's Eastern Standard, he said the lake has been a huge economic boon to the region.
“It has fueled communities that have grown out of camps, so now you have neighborhoods that extend back a half mile or a mile away from the lake. You have small grocery stores, Dollar Generals, and so forth, but gas stations, and you have the boating industry.”
Holdren said the lake was built to generate hydroelectric power in the central part of Kentucky. Kentucky Utilities built it by damming up the Dix River. At the time it was built, it was considered the largest earth-filled dam in the world.
He said there wasn't much in terms of hydro-power in Kentucky at the time.
“The only thing we really had in Kentucky at that time were single-engine turbines along small rivers, that might power a very small community, up on the bank.”
While the primary function of the lake was to provide power for the region, it quickly became a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities.
Holdren said it has also built up population centers around the lake, creating entire neighborhoods and communities.
Hear more with author Mike Holdren coming up tomorrow on Eastern Standard on WEKU.
LG&E/KU is a financial supporter of WEKU.
