Dear visitors, friends, and stakeholders,
I appreciate all the recognition lately for the upgrades and maintenance work completed at Land Between The Lakes this past year.
However, it’s my staff that plans and prepares for the work to be completed here. Much of the work we plan years in advance while some work results from circumstances like the flooding we are experiencing this month. We complete a lot of work between our seasons from November through February. Some of it initiated by normal wear and tear; others are part of our regular maintenance schedule.
Ongoing requirements
In order to serve as a National Recreation Area for over 1.5 million annual visitors, we must operate much like a municipal maintenance department. We maintain:
- 4 sewage treatment plants,
- 13 water systems,
- 170,000 acres of public lands,
- 300 miles of shoreline,
- 444 miles of roads,
- 500 miles of trails,
- 1,400+ designated campsites,
- 30 boat ramps,
- 9 picnic areas,
- 7 pavilions,
- 4 environmental education facilities,
- 1 group center,
- 1 visitors center, and
- 2 welcome stations.
To provide this recreation opportunity for you, it takes a team of dedicated people to make Land Between The Lakes great.
It takes a team
If you like any of our upgrades, improvements, and maintenance work – please thank our facility leads and program managers. They are the ones who plan the program of work, schedule maintenance projects, and budget the money to complete these projects. They are the ones who have the knowledge to respond to your needs.
Our facility and program managers strive to provide you the best opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education at Land Between The Lakes. They would love to hear from you. You are part of the team.
We rely upon our users to let us know if something needs our attention — especially in our more remote areas. Recently, we received reports on two different areas where users created large trash dumps. We learned of these though people just like you. We cleaned up the areas and searched for evidence as to who left the trash.
We’re currently monitoring the flooding. As I write this, Lake Barkley laps at Energy Lake Dam, roads have washed out, and campsites throughout the recreation area sit underwater. It will take us a while to find all the damage and clean up from this flood.
Please be careful when traveling through the area. If you see something, call us at 1-800-525-7077 or email us at [email protected]. Your input will help us identify issues sooner.
Happy New Year
I also want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy New Year. From our Land Between The Lakes family to your family, we hope this New Year you’re able to spend more time enjoying nature and the great outdoors.
Take care,
Tina Tilley
Area Supervisor
Land Between The Lakes
National Recreation Area
