GRAND RIVERS, Ky. (AP) — Tours of the Lake Barkley Dam powerhouse and navigation lock have resumed for the first time since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has public tours scheduled for July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15, with tours beginning at 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The dam is at Grand Rivers, Ky., at the northern end of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
The Corps resumed public tours on June 23. After the initial tour, Ranger Charlotte Stenger said there was a public desire for them.
“From the very positive feedback we received today, we know there is public interest in visiting our facilities, and we look forward to upcoming tours,” Stenger said.
Barkley Resource Manager Mike Looney said visitors learn about electricity generation and river transportation. The tours are free.
Each of the four group tours began with a PowerPoint briefing by Looney. Visitors are taken by bus to the Barkley Power Plant on the Cumberland River to view hydroelectric power generation. They then travel to the opposite shore to see commercial vessels going through the lock and learn about bulk materials transportation.
The Corps has also begun tours at the Center Hill Lake Power Plant near Smithville, Tenn. Those tours are on July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 22.
