Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Roebuck updates Counil on pond project

City Council members, on Monday, heard State Rep. Tommy Roebuck explain the progress being made toward funding Gurdon Pond number two on the basis of it being a secondary water source for the city.

Roebuck, who said persistence by local barber Tommy Potter had spurred him and others into action to get this pond in working order, introduced Charles Summerford as the project engineer.

Summerford, who has worked on various Gurdon engineering projects over the years, sited work on Red Springs Road as an example of the many projects he has taken part in locally.

The Arkadelphia-based engineer said, "The people of Gurdon are very familiar with my engineering philosophies over the years.

"The pond is fixable. I have been out there and done some estimating. I see a total cost of approximately $314,000 to get the lake back usable."

Summerford said his estimates include repairing the levy and the slope. The levy is about half a mile long.

To seal it, the natural clay in the lake bottom will make excellent levy putty, he said. The engineer estimated the existence of 4,600 yards of usable soil can be taken out of the lake bottom for repair.

Summerford said he is not of the opinion a new spillway is needed and "I propose we rebuilt the 60-year-old one we've got."

"I am not saying that the Corp of Engineers are wrong for stating we should have a 140-foot wide spillway, but I believe the old one can be made sufficient to get this lake serviceable. That is my goal."

Rep. Roebuck said he has been consulting with Potter for nearly three years about the pond in question.

"The next step is to get the funding," he said. "I will get us audience with Mike Ross to do just that. The main thing we can sell this project on is Gurdon needing a secondary water source. The officials realize this need will become more and more important in the future."

Roebuck said the lake land, and adjoining property, totals approximately 100 acres. That entrance way and primitive park land was given to Gurdon by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission during the past year.

"I have been talking to the new manager at International Paper about us acquiring yet another 50 acres," Roebuck said. "He is entertaining the idea and has not said no.

"It is my hope we can proceed with this project and Gurdon can have another beautiful little lake."

Roebuck said this pond had a reputation for years as one of the best bass fishing holes in the state of Arkansas, but since Gurdon has one pond, the fishing aspect would probably not convince politicians to move on the project.

He re-emphasized the back-up water source as the best tool to bring in money for the "little lake," but also noted more water for Gurdon could increase the area's future industrial possibilities.

Potter said, at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, a flood gate is necessary to maintain the integrity of the pond's dam, and for maintenance. An effort is being made to interest local businessmen into pooling together to fund such a gate. The estimated cost would be $150,000.

Summerford said Gurdon pond number two was first operational in 1938. In 1979, then Gov. Bill Clinton was given notice by the Corp of Engineers stating the levy to Gurdon Pond number two was at risk.

"Rather than fix it right, somebody decided that would be too expensive so they knocked a hole in the levy about the width of this room (approximately 50 feet) and drained the water out," Summerford said. "Now it has grown up as a thicket. Tommy Potter and I went out there, and we took some pictures."

Summerford said he made some observations on the side of the lake closest to the railroad tracks.

"On the west side, it needs to be usable," he added. "I propose a primitive camping area initially. I say get 10 acres cleared of brush, have a parking area and plenty of room to put up tents.

Summerford said his primary objective would be to get the lake back in service for the minimum dollar amount.

He said another cost cutter would be to only remove 80 percent of the trees, as some of them need to be left for the bass and other fish to hide under.

"I think using local people to do some of this work would also cut costs," he said. "Many would love to do it if they could get paid for their efforts."

Roebuck reminded the mayor and Council he had been successful in getting $35,000 for Gurdon during the last legislative session that might help fund some of these problems.

He said Clark County Judge Ron Daniell has offered to construct a road to the pond, which would cost $38,000 if it were hired done.

Summerford said the road would be at Riley Crossing, parallel to the railroad and into the lake.

Of the 100 acres of land, the old lake was 38 acres. Summerford said, when it is refilled, his calculations indicate the new lake will be about 45 acres.

"The acreage could vary, depending on high water and low water," he said. "Once the lake is filled, the drainage area will sustain it. There may also be some springs at the upper end, from what I call Coffee Creek."

As to the water itself, Summerford predicts it will be very clear.

Rep. Roebuck asked Mayor Franklin for his opinion on the future of Gurdon Pond number two?

"I think we will have an easier time finding money if we stick to talking about the pond being a secondary water source for this town," he said. "I realize there may be an old metal piping system out there, but that would probably not work for what we want today."

The mayor said the pond needs a pump protected by small enough screens to keep turtle shells out of the system.

Rep. Roebuck said the secondary water source aspect will make the Gurdon Pond number two project popular in Washington, D.C.

Summerford said the new lake could supply the Gurdon nearly year round.

"I will get this meeting with Mike Ross about funding this project," Roebuck said. "But I want this still a number one park in 10 years; not run down or grown back up!"

Mayor Franklin noted the excellent care that has been taken care of Gurdon Pond number one and assured Roebuck the city would do the same for the second pond.