The dam

[Teresa]

I have a question for Marcia or anyone I guess who has an answer..

Kjell and I went down to the dam tonight just to chill out after a hard day of working in the yard.
Roland had put a handrail on the side of the steps that leads down to the little dam falls.
The river is up and running pretty good right now . I was telling him about skipping school etc and all the fun we used to have coming down there. And he ask me why both side of the dam had rock and stone work platforms on them. And why the dam part was built and when.................................

I knew about the railroad bridge on up the river... but not about the dam area...

So...I couldn't answer him..

Can someone tell me the history surrounding that?

[W. Gray]

When I first read this I thought you were talking about Polk Daniels Lake, but after rereading I am not so sure.

As far as Polk Daniels, there may be some information about the construction on a plaque at the lake. I read it once but cannot recall the inscription. Seems to me it might be at the entrance? Not sure.

Construction of Polk Daniels Lake began in 1934.

For those who might not be aware, Polk Daniels was the pen name of Thomas E. Thompson editor of the Howard Courant. He died in 1935 and I have always wondered if the lake was started without a name and named for him as a result of his death or named for him before he died for his years of public service.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was responsible for building the lake. Franklin Roosevelt started the WPA. Maybe Obama will furnish funds to enlarge it or build water lines to the outlying areas.

A book called Public Service Welfare in Kansas might have some additional information but I sure would not know where to find a copy.

According to the Elk County history book, the lake was built under direction of Carl Alexander, Elk County Engineer.

My Grandfather on my mother's side worked building the lake. Although he was a farmer, times were bad. He rode to work by horse to and from the farm. Family lore has him making $1.50 per day.

We had family reunions there in the mid forties. I don't ever remember being out there at one of those reunions but I am in the pictures.

Of the 500 members tuned into the forum, someone surely has some more information.

[Flintauqua]

She'll correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure she is talking about the low-flow dam on Elk River, downstream from where Old 99 crossed (Pine Street extended south), and upstream from where K-99 now crosses the river.  It doesn't show up on any map, and it can't be made out from arial photo's, but it's there.  Water quality reports still get generated on water sampled there, since I believe it is still considered a source of water for Howard, though I don't know if it is used, even in emergencies. 

I live for questions involving Elk County Geography!!!  More Please! 

[W. Gray]

That is interesting.

Teresa, where exactly is that handrail and how do you get to it?

[W. Gray]

I was thinking Polk Daniels and its location on Game Creek. When Teresa mentioned the river, I was disoriented.

However, I seem to do some of my better thinking in the middle of the night. Last night I woke up and starting recalling doing the research for the Flint Hills Express article on the Elk River alligators.

Either the Howard Courant or the Howard Citizen mentioned one of the alligators was last seen at the old dam on the Elk (article was in 1925). The newspaper mentioned a small building at that location. I did not have a clue as to what that meant and remember thinking it must be the diversion dam at Elk Falls.

I then stated that the alligator was last seen down river. Maybe the gator is still in the dam area?

I would still like to know how one gets to the handrail.

***

When the amateur taxidermist, Elk County Deputy Sheriff B.W. Hamar, stuffed two of the alligators taken at the Pine Street Bridge and then F. E. Hottinger displayed them in his drug store, I will bet neither never knew (or even cared) about which sex they were.

For those of us who watch the nature channels we know that it cannot be done visually.

It is apparently easy although, according to one program, it seems to have the effect of making the alligator a little upset.

The individual who wants to know, sticks his finger into the alligator's anal cavity and if he finds something hard (TV announcer's words) it is a male. If not, it is a female.

[Teresa]

Ahhummm.. I believe I will pass on that job Waldo.. but thanks anyway for the lesson.... hahahaa


It is as far south as you can get on Pine Street. John Laytons property sets to the West of the road leading down to it.  If you drive ( or walk)  down the mile dirt lane road you will cross a cattle guard and then it will take you to the road winding by the river and to the little falls and dam.
The handrail is just a simple one so you can have something to hang on to as you precariously step on the old stone steps to go down to the ledge.
Poland Meisch owns it now and the state has it opened up for fishing during most of the months.

Back in the 60's - 70's ..we used to have a rope tied on the tree down there when we were kids and you could swing out on it and drop in the river..
Rex Vinette didn't let go soon enough once and hit the side of the bank ( which had a huge rock embedded in it) and split his head open like a watermelon.  THAT stopped the fun for the day..and he was rushed to the emergency room where a ton of stitches was put in his head. The rope was taken down after that and the limb holding it was sawed off..

There is a small cement building which I know used to be a pump house I think..and they used it for an extra water supply.

but I still don't know why there is stone structures on both sides of the dam.

[lsmith]

My best guess would be so that the banks would not wash out during floods or high water.

[W. Gray]

Amazing.

I have driven down that lane looking for something, I cannot recall what.

I had my father with me and he said there was something there on the river but I became fearful I was on private property, turned around, and went back to Pine Street.

Perhaps, I was looking for the dam.

[Diane Amberg]

Teresa, now see?  People over react out there just like they do here.  One kids splits his head open and everyone lost their swing rope . I'm just being mean, but that's a good example of human nature.  Instead of teaching the kids how to swing and not get clocked, they took the rope down.  Sound familiar?  

[W. Gray]

I assume those kids got a cuckoo clock?