Lake Cumberland is an artificial lake in Clinton, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne counties in Kentucky. Its shoreline measures 1,255 miles (2020 km) and the lake is spread over 65,530 acres (265.2 km²) at the top of the power pool. The reservoir ranks 9th in the U.S. in size, with a capacity of 6.1 million acre-feet (7.5 km³) of water, enough to cover the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky with 3 inches (76 mm) of water. The main lake is 101 miles long and over one mile across at its widest point. The lake has become a major source of tourism and an economic engine for south-central Kentucky. Scenic natural beauty complemented by numerous outdoor activities and events enhance what has evolved into the most talked-about attraction in Southern Kentucky – Lake Cumberland.

Scenic natural beauty complemented by numerous outdoor activities and events enhance what has evolved into the most talked-about attraction in Southern Kentucky – Lake Cumberland.

More than 1250 miles of shoreline and a surface area in excess of 63,000 acres combine to create the perfect environment for boating, skiing, fishing and a host of other recreational opportunities along the lake. Sheltered by tree-covered mountains and blessed with peaceful coves, a calm, relaxing atmosphere is prevalent on many areas of the lake. Somerset , a regional shopping hub offers specialty stores, antique shops and flea markets galore.

The allure of the past is also prevalent in the Lake Cumberland area, with historic downtown Somerset and Burnside and the ongoing restoration of a nationally-recognized civil war battleground.

Sample at bit of Appalachia in the fall months. The changing fall foliage adds its blazing color to the spectacles of the annual Somerfest and Burnside Centennial Celebrations.

A new attraction to the lake is Christmas Island . During early winter, come view the spectacular Christmas lights on Kentucky 's only island state park-Burnside Island. And in the unlikely event you run out of things to do, remember Somerset is only minutes away from the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Falls State Park , Renfro Valley and the historic Mill Springs.

In short, there's something for everyone at Lake Cumberland. Lake Cumberland was formed from the Cumberland River in the early 1940s as part of a gigantic plan to control floods I the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and develop their tributaries. It took 1.5 million cubic yards of concrete and 10 million cubic yards of earth to fill the 240-foot-high Wolf Creek dam, which forms the lake.

The Cumberland River itself is a maverick among Kentucky 's major waterways-it's the only one which flows south, rather than north.