Red River Gorge collection
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Red River Gorge collection
- Date
- 1958-1978
- Extent
- 6.7 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Dams -- Environmental aspects -- Kentucky.
- Audubon societies.
- Environmental protection -- Kentucky.
- Arrangement
- Materials have been grouped together by type of material and are arranged chronologically thereunder.
- Preferred Citation
- [Identification of item], Red River Gorge collection, 1958-1978, 87M23, Special Collections and Digital Programs, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- These papers reflect more than twenty years of the controversy regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers efforts to alleviate flooding by constructing a dam in the Red River Gorge area in east central Kentucky. Congress initially authorized the construction of the dam in 1962, but through the efforts of numerous conservationists, local activists, and environmental organizations, the construction of the dam was eventually halted through a court injunction.
- Scope and Content
- These papers begin with a running chronological arrangement to show the evolution of the controversy. These files include mostly correspondence from both those in protest of the dam and those in favor of the dam, along with numerous news clippings and congressional records. Also in these papers are various reports and expert testimonies concerning the environmental, economic and political issues addressed by groups such as the Sierra Club, the Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund, biologists, geologists, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), a federal executive agency created in 1970. The court case, Red River Gorge et al., v. Army Corps of Engineers et al., is highlighted separately and includes depositions, affidavits, as well as the order for the initial injunction. There are also separate magazine and journal articles that illuminate the national recognition that the controversy received. Lastly there are miscellaneous materials, memorabilia, photographs, and a cassette tape interview with Gorge residents. See also oral history interviews in the Kentucky Conservationists Oral History Project and the John Sherman Cooper Oral History Project.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
- Copyright has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky.
Contents of the Collection
FILES
Scope and Contents note
These are files that contain mainly correspondence and newspaper clippings, organized chronologically, that concern the proposed dam and creation of Red River Lake. The correspondence contains letters to and from the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations, Kentucky governors Breathitt, Nunn, Ford, and Carroll, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Senators John Sherman Cooper, Thurston B. Morton, and Allen J. Ellender, U.S. Presidents Johnson and Nixon, the Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund, and also responses directly to the Council on Environmental Quality concerning the final environmental impact statement. Also included are congressional bills and records.
1963-March 1968
1963-1966
January-September 1967
October 1967
November 1-17, 1967
Reservation and contibution notices for the Sierra Club's Hike and Dinner with Supreme Court Justice and Mrs.Douglas at Red River Gorge, November 18, 1967. Names A-I.
- Box 1, folder 5
Scope and Contents note
These reservation notices are organized alphabetically by the last name of the participant
Reservation and contibution notices for the Sierra Club's Hike and Dinner with Supreme Court Justice and Mrs.Douglas at Red River Gorge, November 18, 1967. Names J-Y.
November 18-31, 1967
December 1967-circa 1967
January 1968
February 1968
March 1968
April 1968-1971
April-May 1968
June-July 1968
August-December 1968, circa 1968
January-March 1969
April-June 1969
July-December 1969, circa 1969
1970
1971
1972-August 1975
1972
1973
January-July 1974
August 1974
September-December 1974, circa 1974
January 1975
February 1975
March 1975
April 1975
May-August 1975
NOTES
Scope and Contents note
These are personal notes of people involved in the fight against the Red River dam.
Notes of Bill Holstein, 1967-1969 and undated.
- Box 4, folder 5
Scope and Contents note
Bill Holstein was the chairmen of the KY chapter of the Sierra Club and was also a member of the board of directors for the Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund.
Notes of Robert Reeves, counsel for the Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund, undated. [1 of 2]
Notes of Robert Reeves, counsel for the Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund, undated. [2 of 2]
Lists of addresses and names of people involved, undated.
Miscellaneous notes and maps, undated.
SCIENTIFIC DATA
Scope and Contents note
The data includes various technical data on water usage, flood control and dams.
Technical data on flood control, water resource needs and navigational status of the Red River and proposed resevoir, circa 1967-1969.
Data from the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, on Red River Lake, Red River Kentucky, 1972-1975.
Fact sheets about the Red River project and other TVA dams, undated.
A comprehensive analysis of the Sierra Club position regarding a Red River resevoir at the alternate downstream site as compared with the authorized site, undated.
Map of Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Highlighting locations of arches, circa 1968.
Graphs showing discharge of the Kentucky River and water use by Lexington Water Company by day and month 1908-1966, undated.
REPORTS AND EXPERT TESTIMONY
Scope and Contents note
These are reports and testimonies by various experts in biology, ecology, and economics concerning the building of the Red River dam. Also included are the final environmental impact statements completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others.
United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. A Survey Report on Fish and Wildlife Resources in Relation to Kentucky River and Tributaries, Kentucky, November 1958.
Report of the Citizens Panel on Aesthetic Considerations Corps of Engineers Water Resource Development Projects in New England, circa 1966.
Testimony of professional biologists against the dam, February 7, 1968.
Clark, Carl M., associate agricultrual economist, University of Kentucky. Kentucky's Red River Valley: A Brochure Presented in Behalf of the Preservation of the North Gorge as a Wilderness, February 10, 1968.
Agenda For a Meeting Devoted to Providing Alternative Plan of Recreational Development in the Red River Valley: Clark Wilderness Recreation Report, February 1968.
Office of the Chief of Engineers. Red River Reservoir Kentucky: Reconnaissance Study, March 1968.
- Box 6, folder 6
Scope and Contents note
[includes comments by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture]
Statements by W.R. (Bill) Holstein, representing the Kentucky Chapter of The Sierra Club, and Caroll and Doris Tichenor and Mrs. Chester Morrison, resisdents of the Gorge, concerning the Red River Gorge Dam in Kentucky given before the Senate sub-committee on public works appropriations, May 1968-June 1969.
Statements by W.R. Holstein, Caroll Tichenor, Kentucky Senator Cooper, concerning the Red River Gorge Dam in Kentucky given before the House sub-committee on public works appropriations, May 1968-June 1969.
Water Supply for Lexington, Kentucky in Relation to the Kentucky River, 1968-1972.
Committee on Allerton Park, Illinois. Battle for the Sangamon: The Struggle to Save Allerton Park, 1971.
Comments from an M.S. Thesis. A Preliminary Survey of the Vasculor Flora of the Red River Gorge of Kentucky. University of Louisville, circa 1971.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Red River Gorge Management Direction, Daniel Boone National Forest, January 1972.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Draft of Environmental Statement on the Red River Lake, June 25, 1973.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Draft Environmental Statement for Management of the Red River Gorge Unit. Daniel Boone National Forest, July 20, 1973.
Statements submitted to the Senate sub-committee on public works appropriations, September 1973-May 1975.
Fiala, Charles J. Colonel, Army Corps of Engineers, District Engineer. "Statement of Findings," 1973.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Filed with CEQ: Final Environmental Impact Statement, January 1974. [1 of 2]
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Filed with CEQ: Final Environmental Impact Statement, January 1974. [2 of 2]
American Rivers Conservation Council and the Environmental Policy Center. 95 Theses: To be Tacked on the Doors of the Chief of Engineers and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, May 3, 1974.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Final Environmental Statement for Management of the Red River Gorge Unit. Daniel Boone National Forest, May 24, 1974. [1 of 2]
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Final Environmental Statement for Management of the Red River Gorge Unit. Daniel Boone National Forest, May 24, 1974. [2 of 2]
Richardson, David H., professor of economics, University of Kentucky. A Review and Evaluation of the Corps of Engineers Benefit-Cost Study for Red River Lake, August 2, 1974.
Environmental Consultants Inc. Preliminary Draft: Environmental Study for the Red River Lake Project, October 14, 1974. [Part 1 of 2]
Environmental Consultants Inc. Preliminary Draft: Environmental Study for the Red River Lake Project, October 14, 1974. [Part 2 of 2]
Clark, Clarence F. Red River, North Fork, Kentucky River Basin, Powell County Kentucky: A Critique of the Proposal for the Construction of Red River Lake, October 1974.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Response to comments by the CEQ Concerning the Final Environmental Impact Statement on Red River Lake Project. Vol. I, November 1974.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Response to comments by the CEQ Concerning the Final Environmental Impact Statement on Red River Lake Project. Vol. 2, November 1974. [1 of 2]
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Response to comments by the CEQ Concerning the Final Environmental Impact Statement on Red River Lake Project. Vol. 2, November 1974. [2 of 2]
Kentucky Conservation Council Inc. Resolution, December 31, 1974.
Johnson, Sue, Rabel J. Burdge and William F. Schweri, II. Report of Household Survey-- Red River Residents Due for Relocation, circa 1974.
Comptroller General of the U.S. Report to the Congress: National Attempts to Reduce Losses From Floods by Planning for and Controlling the Uses of Flood Prone Lands, March 7, 1975.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Red River Lake Kentucky: Response to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Letter dated 24 January 1975, April 1975.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville. Draft Environmental Impact Statement Operation and Maintenance: Kentucky River Navigaion Project, June 1975.
Department of the Army. Report of the Comptroller General of the U.S: Environmental and Economic Issues of the Corps of Engineers' Red River Lake Project in Kentucky, August 15, 1975.
Irvin, Charles R., contracted by Environmental Consultants Inc. Red River Lake Project, Kentucky: Recreation Benefit Analysis in Response to the Council on Environmental Quality Letter of January 14, 1975, 1975.
Mayer-Oakes, William J. and Jack T. Hughes. An Initial Mitigation Program for the Archaeological Resources of the Red River Gorge Area in Eastern Kentucky, circa 1975.
Environmental Consultants Inc. Testimony of Dr. Niles Hansen of the University of Texas at Austin, circa 1975.
Corps of Engineers District, Louisville. Red River Resevoir, Kentucky, undated.
National Parks and Conservation Association. Guidelines for Evaluating Wild Scenic and Recreational River Areas Proposed for Inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Under Section 2, Public Law 90-542, undated.
Red River Gorge Presentation-Outline, undated.
SAVE OUR RED RIVER ET AL. V. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ET AL., CIVIL ACTION NO. C 74-320 1 (B), UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT AT LOUISVILLE
Scope and Contents note
These materials concern the civil action brought to the district court in Louisville. The plantiffs, Save Our Red River, were seeking an injunction against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop the building of the dam on the Red River.
Correspondence and memos about the case and concerning the obtaining of evidence, 1973-1975 and undated.
Requests for opinions and the opinions, 1973 and undated.
Notice to take depositions and the affadavits of Stewart L. Udall, Dr. Mary Wharton and L. Douglas James, 1974.
William E. Leegan Deposition, January 20 1975.
William E. Leegan Deposition, January 20 1975.
Niles M. Hansen Deposition, January 23, 1975.
Complaints and preliminary statements, January 1975 and undated.
Donna Sue Comfort Pate Deposition, May 1975.
Resolution of the Council of the City of Cincinnati Ohio, in opposition to the Red River Dam, May 29, 1975.
Transcripts of the court's oral opinion at hearing on preliminary injuction and order for preliminary injuction, September 3, 1975.
Text of statement by Governor Julian Carroll at a press conference, concerning the proposed the Red River Dam, September 11, 1975.
Requests and admissions for interrogatories to the defendants, 1975.
Background notes, witness lists, and other miscellaneous materials, undated.
MAGAZINE AND JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
Scope and Contents note
Arranged in chronological order.
Caudill, Harry. "Lilly's Wood." Audubon, May-June 1967.
Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Kentucky Happy Hunting Ground, vol. 23, no. 5, September 1967.
"Dam and Wild Rivers: Looking Beyond the Pork Barrell." Science, vol. 158, October 13, 1967.
"The Only Earth We Have." Science, vol. 159, no. 3811, January 1968.
"Report of the Committee on Natural Areas." Journal of Forestry, January 1968.
The Sierran. Great Lakes Chapter of the Sierra Club, newsletter, no. 3, March 1968.
Shrake, Edwin. "Operation Build and Destroy." Sports Illustrated, April 1, 1968.
"'Let's Be Sure' Says Bill Towell." American Forests, May 1968.
Caudill, Harry. "A Wild River that Knew Boone Awaits Its Fate." Audubon, vol. 70, no. 3, September/October 1968.
"Daniel Boone's River." Time Magazine, April 11, 1969.
"Battleground for a Dam." St. Louis Post Dispatch Pictures, May 11, 1969.
"A Victory in the Red River Gorge and a time for Real Planning." Audubon, May 1969.
"Red River Dam Controversy." American Associationi for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Bulletin, June 1969.
"New Threat to the Gorge: Ourselves." Courier-Journal and Times Magazine, September 7, 1969.
Sierra Club Council Newsletter, vol. I, no. 3, 1969.
Ohio Chapter Sierra Club Newsletter, vol. 2, no. 4, September/October 1970.
Davis, Wayne H. "The Land Must Live." Environment Action Bulletin, July 15, 1972.
"Disasters in Water Development." April 1973.
American Rivers Conservation Council Newsletter, vol. 1., no. 1, December 1973.
American Rivers, no. 5, June/July 1974.
Marsh, Alton. "Last Stand at Red River Gorge." National Parks and Conservation Magazine, August 1974.
American Rivers, no. 6, December 1974.
Environmental Action, January 18, 1975.
Environment, vol. 17, no. 1, January/February 1975.
Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning Newsletter, no. 67, February 17, 1975.
The Greater Cincinnati Tree Council Newsletter, February 1975.
Environmental Action, March 15, 1975.
Environmental Action, March 29, 1975.
Miami Happenings, Miami Group, Ohio Chapter Sierra Club, newsletter, March/April 1975.
Environmental Action, April 12, 1975.
Miami Happenings. Miami Group, Ohio Chapter Sierra Club, newsletter, May/June 1975.
Scott, Jim. "The Other Side fo the Castle: Is this Any Way to Run Part of the U.S. Army?" Times Magazine, June 18, 1975.
Marsh, Alton. "Homeowners and Conservationists are Trying to Stop a Dam in Kentucky's Red River Gorge." Smithsonian, vol. 6, no.6, September 1975.
"GAO Releases its Long-Awaited Report on the Proposed Red River Dam." The Environmental Journal, November 1975.
"Red River Gorge." Audubon, November 1975.
Martin, William H. "The Red River Gorge Controversy in Kentucky: A Case Study in Preserving a Natural Area." Official Quarterly Publication of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, vol. 23, no. 3, July 1976.
Marsh, Alton. "Daniel Boone's Wilderness May Be Tamed by a Lake," undated.
RELATED MATERIALS
Scope and Contents note
These folders include memorabilia and citizens action educational materials.
U.S. EPA. "Citizen Action Can Get Results." August 1972.
U.S. EPA. "Don't Leave it All to the Experts-The Citizens Role in Environmental Decision Making." November 1972.
U.S. Army Engineer District, Louisville, Data and Plans for Red River Lake, public meeting brochure, July 14, 1973.
Brochures and plans from the Designers Forum, Columbus Ohio, December 1973.
- Box 13, folder 4
Scope and Contents note
[The Designers Forum was soliciting Red River Gorge Dam opponents for their business]
Moncrief, Nance and Bob Mong. "A Big Dam Mess." Reprinted from The Cincinnati Post, 1974.
Brochure about Red River Dam paid for by the committee for Wendell H. Ford for U. S. Senator, establishing his position, circa 1974.
Brochure and registration form for the state environmental workshop, April 18-19, 1975.
Invitation to the White House Conference on Domestic and Economic Affairs, October 7, 1975.
Informational hand-out/brochure on the Red River Gorge, circa 1975.
Fisher, George. U.S. Corps of Engineers Coloring Book, circa 1975. [about Arkansas]
"Help Save our Red River." Newsletter/brochure, probably authored by the Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund, undated.
Home Economics Extension in Kentucky, brochure highlighting the work of Doris Tichenor, undated.
Protest songs and poems, undated.
Red River Gorge Pamphlet, EAS Student Government at the University of Kentucky, undated.
Red River Gorge Land of Arches, informational booklet by the USDA Forest Service, undated.
Red River Gorge Legal Defense Fund, envelopes and letterhead, undated.
"Save the... Red River Gorge: Stop the Dam" and "Deauthorize Red River Dam." Bumper stickers, undated.
"Why you should Save Red River Gorge and Stop the Dam." Brochure, undated.
AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS
"Inperspective: Red River Dam" broadcast WBKY-FM 9-4 & 9-8-74 audiotapes (2 copies), 1974
View of road in Red River Gorge, note on back reads: "Road which would be flooded by dam at approved site.", 1968 April 12
"Sky Bridge" at Red River Gorge, 1968 April 12
View of Red River and foliage on bank, 1968 April 12
View of Red River and the trees on riverbank on both sides, 1968 April 12
View down Red River, 1968 April 12
"Chimney Top Rock" at Red River Gorge, 1968 April 12
View of Red River, 1968 April 12
"One of the natural arches in the Gorge area", 1968 April 12
View down Red River, 1968 April 12
View of road within Red River Gorge, note on back reads: "Road which would be flooded by dam at approved site", 1968 April 12
Rock formation with water running over and through rocks, 1975
Waterfall pouring over rocks and tree logs, 1975
Caption on front reads: "It is our judgement that providing some road access to this highly scenic area is essential. Secretary Udall", note on back reads: "Sky Bridge with road below - road would be flooded by dam at approved site", 1968 April
View of roadway over river, caption reads: ".....but it will be saved by the alternate site.", undated
Viwe of roadway passing below Chimney Top Rock, caption reads: "This highway will be flooded by the approved dam site.", 1968 April
View of road running alongside Red River, caption reads: "This road is used by thousands each year including many senior citizens.", undated
"This is Chimney Top Rock as viewed from highway 715.", 1968 April
View of forest and rock formations at Red River Gorge, caption reads: "What an adventure! Exploring up Parched Corn Creek away from the sounds of civilization and feeling that no one has been there before", undated
View of forest and rock formations in Red River Gorge, caption reads: "Some look for adventure off the trail up the side canyons like Parched Corn Creek wilderness", undated
Gladie Creek, caption reads: "Gladie Creek provides opportunities for many fine hiking and primitive camping experiences, but access to this area will be flooded by approved dam site.", 1968 April
Gladie Creek bottomlands, caption reads: "The alternate site will save much of the Gladie Creek bottomlands which are prime areas for grouse, and wild turket and sources of food for small animals.", 1968 April
Swift Camp Creek, caption reads: "Swift Camp Creek is used by hikers and primitive campers", 1968 April
Unidentified fisherman on rock over Swift Camp Creek, caption reads: "Swift Camp Creek is used by many stream fishermen", undated
Waterfall, caption on front reads: "It seems to me that Swift Camp Creek is by far the most interesting and beautiful part of the Red River Gorge area. Dr. Elliott Porter", note on back reads: "near Rock bridge", 1968 April
Hunter's Arch, caption reads: "What an experience to sleep under Hunter's Arch (the Hilton of Red River) and to awaken in the midst of splendor that will be flooded by the approved dam site", 1968 April
Red River, caption reads: "Canoeing down the free flowing Red River is an unforgetable[sic] experience", undated
Upper Gorge, caption reads: "The Upper Gorge - this deep valley has spectacular beauty and wild charm.", undated
Upper Gorge, caption reads: "The Upper Gorge must remain undeveloped, unspoiled, and protected.", 1968 April
Upper Red River, caption reads: "The Upper Gorge It should be preserved. Mr. Justice William O. Douglas", undated
Upper Red River, caption reads: "The Upper Gorge We don't have many places like this left any where in the United States, including the far west", 1968 April
Upper Gorge, caption reads: "The Upper Gorge This place is unique - this is part of your and the nation's heritage", 1968 April
Upper Gorge, caption reads: "The Upper Gorge - this deep valley has spectacular beauty and wild charm", 1968 April
Contact print of six film strips of Red River Gorge wilderness, undated
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.