Monday, August 10, 2009

It's hard to believe last spring an area eight miles west of Jetmore was nothing but prairie. Now, it's just a few steps away from being filled with water.

Ron Allen with the Pawnee Watershed District has been working with the HorseThief Reservoir project for eight years and continues to be amazed with what has been done to the land.

"From an engineering standpoint, it's quite an accomplishment," he says.

Construction crews laid the final soil on the dam embankment Monday. State officials will inspect the dam near the end of August. When it passes, water can start being diverted into the future lake.

Allen promises that when its ready, HorseThief will garner plenty of attention from area residents. "It'll be the largest body of water in Southwest Kansas. It's nothing compared to the larger lakes in the state, but for folks down here, it's going to be a significant body of water."

The lake's 450 acres or surface water will allow for fishing, boating, and watersports. In addition, the thousand-plus acres of surrounding land will include campsites, horseback riding, biking, hiking, and wildlife observation.

"I think if you like the outdoors," says Allen, "we can give you something that you'll enjoy."

Depending on how much rain the area gets, it's impossible to say when the lake will be completely filled with water. It's estimated that it will be open to the public by Memorial Day of next year.