Carr Creek Lake was once home to some of the area's earliest pioneer settlements as early as the 1770s. Carr Fork, a tributary of the North Fork of the Kentucky River, is located 8.8 miles below Carr Creek Dam, and is thought to have gotten its name from William Carr, a well-known "Long Hunter" who hunted in the area. The marsh environment in the Carr Creek area is unusual for the Mountains of Eastern Kentucky, but provides a wide assortment of watchable wildlife. Wood duck, great blue and green heron, ruffed grouse, bobwhite, wild turkey, red-winged blackbird, warblers, raccoon and striped skunk may be found making their homes in this area.