The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is set to receive $205 million in federal funding through the fiscal year 2025 Work Plan for Army Civil Works.
This investment will support infrastructure, navigation, flood risk management, hydropower, recreation, and environmental stewardship across the Cumberland River Basin in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Of the total, $173 million is allocated for operations and maintenance, helping to ensure the safe operation and modernization of locks, dams, and reservoir systems. Another $32.2 million is earmarked for the continued construction of the Chickamauga Lock in Chattanooga, Tennessee—a key commercial navigation route on the Tennessee River.
Kentucky will see $48.69 million in direct investments, with major funding going to:
Barkley Dam and Lake Barkley (shared with Tennessee): $30.13 million
Wolf Creek Dam and Lake Cumberland: $13.61 million
Laurel River Lake: $2.96 million
Martins Fork Lake: $1.61 million
Middlesboro Cumberland River Basin: $375,000
These funds support dam safety inspections, lock operations, environmental compliance, and recreational facilities, ensuring continued service and public safety.
Projects like Wolf Creek Dam are already seeing activity. In April 2025, crews prepared a new spillway gate for installation—part of ongoing efforts to maintain critical infrastructure across the region.
With this funding, the Corps aims to preserve vital river systems that support commerce, power generation, and outdoor recreation throughout the state.
The Nashville District’s focus remains clear: modernizing infrastructure, reducing risk, and supporting communities across Kentucky and beyond.
