History of the Construction of Enid Lake takes me back..............

[Joy Marter Tippit]

As I sat and listened to Mike Robinson's presentation on "The History of the Construction of Enid Lake, I could not help but think about the construction of Grenada Lake.

I thought about how many lives were changed due to the construction of the flood control lakes. 

Everyone was leaving Gore Springs at the time of the construction of Grenada Lake.  My family was moving to Gore Springs to live in the back of a store. 

Mike gave an excellent presentation.  He has lived in Yalobusha County all of his life.

Other than, this, it is cold in North Mississippi, and time for church.

 

 

Lake Construction Outlined In YHS Monthly Meeting

By Joy Tippit
Special To The Herald

COFFEEVILLE – A power point presentation illustrating historical events during the construction of Enid Lake was the program during the Yalobusha Historical Society’s January meeting.
Enid Lake Supervisory Ranger Mike Robinson explained the events, starting with the Flood Control Act passed by Congress in 1928.  With this act, the Vicksburg District of the Corps of Engineers became involved in a flood control program, which eventually included lakes, levees, and other measures.
In 1936, the Yazoo Headwater Project promoted by Congressman Will M. Whittington of Greenwood became a reality with the construction of  Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada lakes.            Surveying began and acquisition of land by the U.S. Corps.  People were selling, moving out, moving buildings and going to court to get more money.  Topics of conversations among neighbors at the local store often included how many houses were seen going down the road on trucks.
One lone small building was the employment office. It was located off 51 Highway and there were always people waiting for a chance at a high paying job paying $1.125 per hour.
Since the Yocona River ran through the dam site, earthwork on the dam could not begin until the river was diverted and temporarily re-routed.  This was accomplished by the use of cofferdams, which changed the course of the river from its old channel to a new route through a section of the dam.
Yocona River was channeled in 1920.  There was an old “spill over” lake below the dam, present day Riverview, evidenced by a cypress break.  A sign on top of dam marks the channel, perhaps the deepest spot in lake.
The emergency spillway, as the name implies, is only used when emergency conditions are present.  In the history of the dam, the emergency spillway has experienced flow four times, 1973, 1983, 1991, and 2002.  
After the levee was completed, riprap was placed on the upstream side to prevent damage from wave action.  The riprap was brought in by rail cars at a site north of the lake near Pope.  This left the embankment complete except for the final closure section.  Trucks were cabled to a dozer and lowered to the bottom sections of the dam to dump.
Mike added that the Sunday afternoon races among the truck drivers were compared to the first NASCAR Races.  Visiting spectators, watching from a nearby hill, would cheer favorite drivers of the earth moving equipment.
Mike mentioned the old motel, Enid Shores Restaurant and Motel.  Enid Shores also had a dance floor and bar. At one time McCurdy Boat Ramp had a boat rental and concessionaire and a political rally was held at Water Valley Boat Landing.
Although the primary authorized purpose of Enid Lake was flood control, many incidental benefits have been derived from the project.  Today, the Enid Lake Project covers approximately 44,000 acres and is visited by more than 1.7 million people each year.
There were 41 members and guests attending the January 19 meeting called to order by Mike Worsham, followed by a prayer from Ralph Litten.  Heartfelt sympathy was expressed to the families of deceased members Joe Moorman and Maxine Johnson.
In addition to Mike’s program, it was announced that a spring general store and bake sale fundraiser would be held on Saturday, March 31.
Attendees included:  Alma Moorman, Tom Moorman, John Bassinger, Stelloise Bassinger, Opal Wright, Julia Fernandez, Harold Hughes, Carl Latham, Kathy Latham, Dave Hovey, Emma Hovey, Frank Fernandez Jr., Gary Williamson, James Simpson, Polly Simpson, Carl H. Vick, Helen Jones, Linda Williamson, Susan Roach Wiggins, Rachel S. Wiggins, Dollie H. Smith, Harold Spraberry, John Moorman, J. L. Crawford, Margie Crawford, James Person,  Lawrence Litten, Bettie F. Litten, Dot Criss, Margaret J. Ross, Kay McCulley, Betty R. Miller, Thelma Roberts, Jimmie Pinnix, Francines Pinnix, Mike Worsham, Mike Robinson, Gary Tippit, Debby Hughes, Pat Brooks and Joy M. Tippit.