Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Mayor discusses water situation with Rotarians

The city of Gurdon is fortunate when it comes to its water system, Mayor Clayton Franklin told the Gurdon Rotary Club on Thursday, May 3.

All of the water used by the 1,600 households on the Gurdon water departments system comes from wells which draw water from an aquifer that runs from near Arkadelphia to Hope. Gurdon is the only city which draws water from the aquifer.

"Were extremely fortunate that were drawing our water from wells," he said.

Citing other cities water sources, he said the city of Arkadelphia draws its water from the Ouachita River. That is not the best source of drinking water, he said, because of the pollution which goes into the river upstream.

Although the region has been in drought conditions for several years, Franklin said the aquifer from which the city draws its water is holding the proper levels without much problem.

The discussion of water comes after Rotarians decided to take on as a project the creation of a new water reservoir at the old Gurdon pond.

Franklin said this idea was first brought up by former State Rep. Tommy Roebuck. Since that time, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has given the land to the city.

Franklin said the need for an additional water source could come up if a water-using industry begins to look at Gurdon as a possible location. He said having an extra water reservoir is what helped Nashville land a poultry processing plant.

Since being given the land on which the old Gurdon pond exists, the city has had both pollution and engineering studies completed. Franklin said a state agency said there would be no problem with pollution in the water should it be used for drinking purposes. An engineer has said it would take about $250,000 to get the project completed.

The engineer said the lake would need to be deepened, and it would be increased to about 75 acres.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has agreed to stock the lake with fish should it become usable.

Franklin said the project is critical because he feels as if Clark County will run out of water. It is not an option to use water from DeGray Lake as that water has already been purchased by other cities.

"That water is all gone," he said. "It would take an act of Congress  a real act of congress  to change the way that water is owned."

Franklin said the city is seeking funding for the project at the old Gurdon pond. He invited the Rotarians to assist the city in "politicking" to get money from the General Assembly. U.S. Congressman Mike Ross has already promised $100,000 from the 2008 federal budget.

Franklin also addressed the group on the new ordinance which will allow the city to condemn and tear down properties which are eyesores in town. The city has already identified 61 properties which will be targeted.

"Can you imagine how much better our town will look without those 61?" he asked.