Barren River Lake - US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District

Barren River Lake is located in south-central Kentucky in an area historically known as "the barrens". It is sixteen miles southwest of Glasgow, ten miles northeast of Scottsville, and 25 miles southeast of Bowling Green, Kentucky. The lake area lies in Allen, Barren, and Monroe County.

Barren River Lake is one of the largest of the Green River Area. It consists of 24,669 total acres (20,108-fee and 4,561-flowage easement). Much of that is designated as Wildlife Management Areas managed in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Barren River Lake receives drainage from 940 square miles of the 2,262 square miles Barren River Lake Drainage Basin. At summer pool elevation 552’ Mean Sea Level, the lake contains 10,000 surface acres with 135 miles of shoreline.

Other cooperative partnerships include:
• Kentucky Department of Parks which leases land from the Corps of Engineers
to provide recreational activities at Barren River State Park Resort Area.

• Allen and Barren County Fiscal Courts lease and maintain Walnut Creek and
Austin recreational areas

• The Scottsville and Glasgow Water Companies have constructed water intake facilities to provide the communities with potable water supplies.

The Corps, in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and other local governments manages the land and water for wildlife, fisheries, flood control and recreation. This provides a diversified array of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, boating, hunting, picnicking, swimming, nature viewing, and hiking.