1923: Prospects look good for Laurel area lake

Aug. 9, 1923

LAUREL — Never has he seen a more suitable site for an artificial lake than the one which has been chosen near Laurel by the Cedar County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League.

That is the opinion of F.C. Magruder of Grand Island, the engineer who looked the proposition over last week.

His enthusiasm over the Laurel site was very evident at a meeting of the directors of the League, which was held in Laurel Monday.

Tests made by well drillers showed that plenty of water will be available for the proposed lake. A stratum of water was found at a depth of 25 feet and water from it rose to within eight feet of the surface. Deeper tests shows an 18-foot bed of gravel at a depth of 62 feet.

Mr. Magruder estimated that if a large wall would be sunk, and a small engine installed which would pump about 500 gallons an hour, this would be sufficient to keep a fresh supply of water in the lake.

The dam which would hold the water in the ravine chosen as the site of the lake, will be constructed largely of dirt with a little concrete to act as a spillway.

The engineer reported that the composition of the soil was well adapted to the purpose for which it is now intended, for it will hold water well, the silt filing up the pores in the ground and causing the ravine to act as a basin.

According to present plans, the lake will be stocked with good game fish.