Beneath the Still Waters: The Haunting of Martin’s Fork Lake
Martin’s Fork Lake, a 340-acre reservoir in Harlan County, Kentucky, was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1979 as part of a flood control and water quality project. The lake was formed by impounding the waters of Martin’s Fork and Cranks Creek, joining several other man-made projects in the Cumberland River Basin designed to manage water resources in the area. Named after early pioneer James Martin, this reservoir has become a scenic destination for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. However, beneath its calm waters lies a darker history. The construction of the lake submerged areas that once held significant historical and cultural importance, stirring up local lore and stories of lingering spirits from a bygone era.
Supposed Hauntings
Among the most chilling legends of Martin’s Fork Lake is the story of a ghostly woman who is said to rise from the depths on moonlit nights. Those few who have seen her describe a figure emerging slowly from the water, her form shrouded in mist, only to vanish as quickly as she appeared. Her presence has led some to believe she may be the spirit of someone who met a tragic end before the lake was created—forever bound to its waters, longing to reach the surface. Others claim that her appearance is an omen, a warning of the powerful and mysterious forces that lie beneath the lake’s still, reflective surface. Though her sightings are rare, the ghostly woman of Martin’s Fork Lake adds to the eerie reputation of this seemingly tranquil body of water.
——Truth or Tall Tales?—–
Below, you will hear a story of a local Harlan Countian who talks about the ghostly lady surfacing at Martins Fork Lake.
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