The History of Grayson Lake - Joe Clark

The History of Grayson Lake: From Flood Control to Recreation is the first full-length narrative history of one of Kentucky's most scenic and important reservoirs.

Born from the floods of the Little Sandy River and authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1960, Grayson Lake was created not only to protect downstream communities but also to provide clean drinking water, abundant recreation, and a new identity for Carter and Elliott counties.

Drawing from archival records, oral histories, and decades of community memory, historian Joe Clark brings the story to life across ten richly detailed chapters:

The wild beauty of the Little Sandy River before the dam

The devastating floods of 1939 and 1957 that spurred action

The Corps of Engineers' design and construction of Grayson Dam (1964-1968)

The relocation of farms, cemeteries, and the Van Kitchen House

The creation of Grayson Lake State Park in 1970

Wildlife, fisheries, and the Api-su-ahts Trail system

The marina, Hidden Cove Golf Course, and community festivals

Fifty years of flood protection and water supply for 10,000 citizens

The cultural memory of families who lost their valley but gained a lake

With over fifty years of history behind it, Grayson Lake is more than water held by an earthen dam - it is a story of progress, sacrifice, resilience, and beauty.

This book is essential reading for Kentucky history enthusiasts, lovers of Appalachian culture, and anyone who has cast a line, pitched a tent, or watched the sunset over the sandstone cliffs of Grayson Lake.