![]() This legislation precluded the construction of any dam on the Red River and helps to preserve the Gorge as it exists today. Representative Hal Rogers and provides federal protection for a 19.4-mile (31.2 km) section of the river. The struggle of wills lasted several decades, involved two proposed dam sites and finally concluded with Red River's entry into the National Wild and Scenic River system on Decemwhen President Bill Clinton signed "H.R.914 - Red River Designation Act of 1993," into law. In 1971, the University of Kentucky commissioned Wendell Berry, a Kentucky native farmer and author to write a book called The Unforeseen Wilderness advocating the preservation of the gorge in its natural state. The Dam Protest Hike took place on Novemat the Clifty Wilderness area junction of Swift Camp Creek and the Red River, Highway 715. Douglas by participating in a Dam Protest Hike which drew local and national attention to the situation. This group obtained the help of Supreme Court Justice William O. The Sierra Club spearheaded the formation of a group opposed to the construction of the dam. The Army Corps of Engineers set about their business of making the structure a reality however, many felt that such actions would destroy the unique ecosystem residing in the dam inundation area. The United States Congress ultimately approved the measure and provided funding. In 1962 the "Great Flood of Clay City," the worst seen in 102 years, moved both government officials and local communities to lobby the Kentucky State Legislature and the Kennedy administration for immediate construction of a flood control dam. The Red River's tendency to flood offered downstream residents much misery. History of the proposed Red River Gorge Dam The tunnel has often been described as the "Gateway to Red River Gorge" for the shortcut it provides motorists. One man was killed during tunnel construction when he attempted to thaw frozen dynamite which exploded when he set it near a fire. Rock and dirt were removed by dynamite, steam drills, and hand tools. Nada Tunnel is a 900-foot-long (270 m), 12-foot-wide (3.7 m), and 13-foot-high (4.0 m) logging tunnel built between 19. The section of the Red River in the upper gorge is also a legally designated Kentucky Wild River by the Kentucky General Assembly through the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves' Wild Rivers Program.īecause of its unusual and rugged nature, the Red River Gorge features a remarkable variety of ecological zones. Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park is immediately adjacent to this area, featuring one of the largest natural bridges in the Red River Gorge. The area is nicknamed the Red by climbers. The multitude of sandstone and cliff-lines helped this area become one of the world's top rock climbing destinations and is home to the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition. There are more than 100 natural sandstone arches in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. This intricate canyon system features an abundance of high sandstone cliffs, rock shelters, waterfalls, and natural bridges. The 13,379-acre (5,414 ha 54.14 km 2 20.905 sq mi) Clifty Wilderness Area lies entirely within the geological area in the Red River Gorge. It was designated a National Natural Landmark and National Archaeological District, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The gorge lies within the Daniel Boone National Forest and was subsequently designated the Red River Gorge Geological Area, an area of around 29,000 acres (12,000 ha 120 km 2 45 sq mi). Geologically it is part of the Pottsville Escarpment. The Red River Gorge is a canyon system on the Red River in east-central Kentucky.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |