Dam Dualities

In February, I travelled to Jamestown, Kentucky, to run a Quest workshop for Amanda Patrick and The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.

The 2-day training was a wonderful collaboration among a wide variety of co-sponsoring organizations: KEEC (the Kentucky Enviromental Education Council), Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association, the Kentucky Department of Agriclulture, Lindsey Wilson College, Kentucky’s Division of State Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, and Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc.

Over the course of the two days, 20 participants went through all of the steps /lessons in creating a Quest as we worked together to create a Quest for the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery.

Initially, we were considering creating a Quest within the Fish Hatchery, and telling the “story” of the rainbow trout’s life cycle. After viewing the site, however—and deep conversation—we widened our scope to the larger story of Lake Cumberland; not looking simply at the fish hatchery, but seeing the larger story of this place: a lost river, a man-made lake, a habitat transformed, and on-going restoration / mitigation efforts.

What do I mean by the "larger story?" Floating in the air above Jamestown, looking across to the far horizon, a visitor or viewer finds a scene of overwhelming beauty: the water reflects forest, rolling ridge lines, and the light-play of sun, clouds and sky. Looking down from the gunwhales of a boat one feels immersion in vast, timeless nature…and perhaps the rush of that “Quest for the elusive striper.” From below the dam, one turns back to discover a “great wall:” a vast attempt at flood control, hydro power, and recreation generation. And other, subtler clues are not so easily seen.

More than 150 feet below the surface of the lake—beyond sight, beyond light—are the remains of towns: roads, bridges, homes, farms, and more. Hidden within the lake water itself is the ghost of what was once a more sinewy, swift and shallow river. As lake habitat differs from river habitat, a different community of fish now inhabit this place. Below the dam are found the premier rainbow trout fishing grounds that attract fishermen, fisherwomen and fisherchildren from across the region…thanks to the stocking efforts of Wolf Creek. Two thousand fish are released into Hatchery Creek each month!

As we began writing the Quest, we developed an internal, over-arching theme: Dam Dualities. This theme helped us to juxtapose before and after, above and below, cost and benefit; and tell a story that you can really see and learn right HERE, in and from this place.

Our aspiration with the Quest were for five outcomes:
- Visitors becoming engaged in an experience of THIS place
- Visitors learning to decode clues in the built & natural environment
- Visitors seeing the life cycle of rainbow trout up close
- Visitors having fun together
- Visitors developing new “eyes” with which to view the complex world they inhabit.
Externally, we chose to call the Quest “Catch a Rainbow,” for that is what this place is famous for. Trout are key components in the regional culture, diet and economy.

Here’s the beginning of the Quest we created together. It attempts to guide visitors through a complex, historical narrative in a playful, engaging, and self-guided fashion.

Catch a Rainbow!
A Quest @ Wolf Creek NFH

Introduction
This is a Quest: Follow the clues and you’ll pass our test.
You’ll be led on a journey; and learn as you travel.
Collecting some letters a puzzle you’ll unravel.
It’s a half hour of fun. You’ll know a lot more when you’re done!


Clues:

#1 Pass the buck, pass the bear,
Out the door – Can you see a huge concrete thing out there?
Let your eyes follow the towers
To find the source of electric power.

The Corps[1] built this thing out of concrete, rock & clay,
Creating a lake where people like to play.
This great big wall constructed by man
Greatly changed both the water & land

What’s this great wall called? A __ __ __

# 2 Listen carefully and you will hear
The song of a river that is no longer here.
River and farmland changed into a lake;
Town and habitat flooded in its wake.[2]

Now, head back through the doors to the skunk in the hall.
Can you find a great blue lake on a map on the wall?
This lake like a snake swallowed the river:
Less flooding, more power, the dam now a giver.

What is the name of the lake formed by the dam?
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

#3 Turn around. Look up in the sky,
Can you find an opossum hanging high?
Pass between two trees standing tall,
Moving towards a flowing waterfall.

Before 1950, the Cumberland River flowed free,
With temperate waters: 35 to 85 degrees.
This natural habitat was all a bustle,
With paddlefish, banded sculpins, 60 kinds of mussels!
Of the fish that live in this tank, which do you think is most unique?

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

#4 Head right from this tank of “years ago.”
Underneath a bobcat you must go!
Thru a cave where bats hide and stalactites grow
Stop at the tank beyond the words Did You Know?

There are new fish in what is now a warm water lake.
Above the dam so many trophy fish to take!
Fishing guides buy lunch, bait, tackle and gas,
To help their visitors hook a big striped bass!

What is the state record for striped bass (in pounds)?

__ __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ __

To read the rest of the clues, you'll need to visit the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery!

REFLECTIONS

In reflecting on this experience, I personally carry away a few important teachings and koans:

1) The Power of Collaboration
The experience of THIS place was deepened by the participation of a broad group of people, with a wide range of interests, experiences, and gifts. Together, we were able to see differently, “see the elephant in the room."

2) Learning to “Read the Waterscape”
Whenever you see a body of water, look and ask: Is this natural or man-made? If natural, where does the water come from? What's unfolding right here? And where does it travel downstream, on the next part of its journey? If man made, what’s lurking beneath the surface? What was here before? And what is different because of the changes in the waterscape?

3) The Power of Place
Every place tells stories, sings specific songs. We simply need to take the time to be inspired: breathe in the spirit of the place.

4) The Power of People
Looking across the land- and water-scape, how much of what we perceive as “natural” and “beautiful” are, in fact, huge constructs undertaken for people and their desires?

5) The Status of Everything Else
...and yet we are but one species in this complex world. How would our places be different if beings other than people had status, voice, rights, a say?

[1] U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
[2] Deep at the bottom of the lake are old buildings, bridges, roads.