The Cumberland River , which creates Lake Cumberland , flows through the Daniel Boone National Forest. The lake is a long serpentine body of water that covers nearly 65,000 acres at full pool. Make this page look nicer by submitting photos of your visit to Lake Cumberland. Learn more ... Lake Cumberland is located in Wayne, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, McCreary, Laurel and Whitney counties in Kentucky on the Cumberland River . The dam site is at river mile 460.9 or about 10 miles southwest of Jamestown, Kentucky. The Wolf Creek project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938 and the River and Arbor Act of 1964. Operation of the lake is for the primary purpose of flood control and production of hydroelectric power. Wolf Creek Dam , powerhouse, and the lake are operated and supervised by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Forest Service facilities along Cumberland River include boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic areas and trails.