History of Lake Shelby

About Lake Shelby
Lake Shelby was built in 1949, and is located within the city limits of Shelbyville, Kentucky.  It is owned by the City of Shelbyville.  The original lake was never dug out.  When the dam was built, trees were cut along a low lying field area which was then flooded to form Lake Shelby.  It was used by Kentucky Utilities as the water reservoir for the city and was also a private fish and game club.  In the early 1960's, Guist Creek Lake was built and became the new reservoir for the city.  In 1970 the Shelbyville - Shelby County Park and Recreation Board was formed, and the city turned Lake Shelby over to the parks department to operate.  Several attempts have been made through the year to clean Lake Shelby in order to increase its depth and make it more accessible to boats and fishermen.  The most recent attempt has been successful with a grant from the Land/Water Conservation Fund as well as other city funds.  The total for the project will be about $150,000 - $160,000.  It includes not only an increase in depth, but islands for wildlife and waterfowl.  Another grant from the Moses Ruben Fund supplied funds for a new fishing pier on the Clear Creek Parks side of the lake.

A Save Lake Shelby committee was started with Pat Roberts as Chairman and Sue Carole Perry, Treasurer to raise the needed funds to complete the cleanup.  These donations in addition to a $8,000 grant from the Moses Ruben Fund helped finish the project.  If you would still like to contribute for future Lake Shelby improvements, you send your tax deductible gift to:

Save Lake Shelby Fund
Clay T. Cottongim, Director
717 Burks Branch Road
Shelbyville, KY 40065
For more information about the fund, call 502-633-5059

For information regarding activities at the lake, call 502-633-5069