Flint Hills Lake Project

THE VISION

The following is a letter to the editor that explains the origin of project and was sent to local newspapers in September 2003.

In late 1998, I found myself in Joe McFall's office complaining (as I had many times before) that what Wichita and South Central Kansas needed was a lake similar to Grand Lake located Northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This type of development lake, I suggested, would address many of the issues of the day, such as water needs, retirees leaving the state, resort development, the long drive to surrounding states for recreation, a place for vacation or second homes and electricity. Unlike all of our previous conversations Joe leaned back in his chair, smiled and said I know the perfect location for that lake, Grouse Creek. Joe (who lived in Dexter, Kansas on Grouse Creek) said he knows that a lake project at that location would be very upsetting for many people in the area, which is why he never mentioned it in the past but the more he thought about it, it would probably help a great many more people in the area if it were built.

From that conversation and with the help of Tim Austin, a Wichita civil engineer, and a number of other professionals, we created a quick, basic feasibility analysis, drawings, pictures, and an outline of the issues involved in a project of this size. Joe and I set out to see if there would be any support for a project of this type, a lake of 8,000 surface acres comparable to Cheney or El Dorado in size but longer and narrower in a hilly setting in the Flint Hills.

We began meeting first with elected officials and business leaders in the Cowley County area and were met with interest and some encouragement but all had a concern for the affected property owners and rightfully so. We decided to keep our efforts low profile as to not upset anyone on a project that, at that time, seemed to be a long shot at best.

We next met with elected officials and business leaders in Sedgwick County. Again we were met with interest and some encouragement but we could see that we needed to have a full feasibly study funded and where do we find those funds.
Finally we met with state officials who again showed some interest and gave us encouragement. During the following three years our efforts stalled and started numerous times due to a variety of events and finally came to a halt when Joe McFall at 65 died of cancer in January of 2002. Joe was one of the finest people I have ever met; he was a good friend and is missed dearly.

Nonetheless, we did not give up. Today, with the continued help of Tim Austin and many others, with new elections at the state and local levels, a new emphasis on economic development, I believe we are gaining the support needed in South Central Kansas to fund a feasible study.

Many, many people in Cowley County and Sedgwick County along with those represented by REAP (Regional Economic Area Partnership) have lent their support to this project.

What are we trying to create and why?

WHAT - A lake of 8,000 surface acres comparable in surface area to Cheney and El Dorado lake but longer and narrower in a hilly environment (approximately 20% of the size of Grand Lake in Oklahoma.)

WHERE: - The dam location would be in Cowley County approximately seven miles East of Arkansas City just South of US 166 creating the lake on Grouse and Silver Creek.

OWNERSHIP - Proposed ownership would be a Port Authority authorized by the State of Kansas made up of the cities and counties participating in this project.

WHY -

To provide water for many communities in South Central Kansas. It could be used by the city of Wichita to take some pressure off the equus beds, a major source of water, which has had dropping water levels, salt infiltration and demands of farmers and ranchers to the north. Also Cheney reservoir has algae bloom problems, which possibly could be more fully addressed if a third water source was available.
Retirees are leaving the state to surrounding lake communities. Many retirees have to make the decision to leave family and friends for retirement areas. This lake area could be a mini-Branson type area, slightly more than an hour from Wichita.
Tourism, resorts, and parks.
Waterfront second homes, vacation homes. Most large lakes in Kansas are US Army Corps of Engineers lakes, which do not allow or limit development or private access to the lakes. Our hope would be that this lake would be developed similar to Grand Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, etc. where private home development can take place along with resort development, marinas, restaurants, etc.
Recreation- Grouse Creek is the clearest stream in Kansas and in hilly rock territory, an amenity that a lot of lakes in Kansas don't have.
Electricity- depth of the lake makes this possible.
Flood control- this location will help in regards to past area-flooding problems.
Economic Development- having a significant project like this helps in the retention and recruitment of quality people and quality employers in South Central Kansas.
An overall improvement in the quality of life.

COST - $150 to $400 million dollars depending on many variables and what is included in the project (pipelines, electric generation, etc.) Additionally, there could easily be $100-$200 million of homes and commercial development that would occur in the first few years of the project.

HOW TO FINANCE - Issuance of bonds by the Port Authority backed by the cities and counties and paid for with the revenue from water sales, land sales, and the increase in tax revenue from the new residential and commercial development. Also, if you look at the communities near Grand Lake in Oklahoma you will find some of the fastest growing areas and some of the strongest, most stable real estate values.

I am obviously very excited about this project and I am encouraged by the prospects to have a feasibility study funded in the very near future.

Hopefully, this project can be made a reality and South Central Kansas can develop and master plan a truly outstanding lake fitting for the people in this wonderful place we call Kansas!

Michael G. Loveland