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Map of Lake Cumberland (Burnside area)
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IntermediateBoth

Lake Cumberland (Burnside area)

Kentucky, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested27 m (90 ft) depthBoth entry

Lake Cumberland (Burnside area) at a glance

Lake Cumberland (Burnside area) is an intermediate both dive site in Kentucky, United States with depths of up to 27.4 m (90 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Striped bass. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:47

Wind forecast for this hour · 15:00 · run 13 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Heavy recreational boat traffic in summer; thermocline at ~35 ft; large depth - average about 90 ft; fluctuating reservoir levels

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

2 kn wind (2 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

2 kn wind (2 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

2 kn wind (2 kn wind)

Fri9:00–19:00 favorable

2 kn wind (2 kn wind)

Sat9:00–19:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Sun9:00–14:00 favorable, 14:00–15:00 moderate

7 kn wind (7 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:30 · Sunrise 7:56 · Sunset 18:47 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 26 Oct, 01:25 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Lake Cumberland (Burnside area)

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Striped bass
Best time: Summer; surface temps reach the mid-80s F

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  2. February, 79% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  3. March, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  5. May, 87% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  6. June, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  9. September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
  10. October, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  11. November, 97% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  12. December, 84% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots

July has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

A 101-mile-long Corps of Engineers reservoir formed by Wolf Creek Dam in 1950, regarded by the Bluegrass Dive Club as one of Kentucky's best diving areas. Visibility runs 10-30 ft over rock bluffs, sunken boats and abundant game fish, with a pronounced thermocline around 35 ft. Most diving is staged from Burnside near Somerset, where the Diver's Den shop supports lake divers.

boatshorewall

Heavy recreational boat traffic in summer; thermocline at ~35 ft; large depth - average about 90 ft; fluctuating reservoir levels

Reviews

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