History
Enid Lake is one of the four lakes in North Mississippi constructed as part of a Comprehensive Flood Control Plan designed to protect the Mississippi Delta from flooding. Following the Great Flood of 1927, Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1928, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District became involved in a monumental flood control program, which eventually included lakes, levees, and other measures. In 1936, the Yazoo Headwater Project became a reality and resulted in the construction of Sardis, Arkabutla, Enid, and Grenada lakes.
Prior to the construction of Enid Dam many families had to pack up their possessions and move from their farms along the Yocona River Bottom. In many cases these farms had been in their families for generations, and life as they had known it drastically changed. It was very difficult for these families because they could not envision the project or the many future benefits that would result from the construction of the dam. Making way for progress left many settlers with mixed emotions about flood control and the Federal government.
Construction of Enid Dam began February 1, 1947. The project employed many workers that included carpenters, construction workers, and machine operators. The post-war labor force used by contractors was large and plentiful. Workers welcomed the wages earned from work days that lasted anywhere from 12 to 14 hours a day, seven days a week. The abundance of workers led to the completion of the dam in less than six years. Pride abounded when Enid Dam was placed into operation in December 1952 and labor crews witnessed the fruits of their labor.
The project was performed under two major contracts. The first contract involved construction on the embankment, and spillway. Since the Yocona River ran through the dam site, earthwork on the dam could not begin until the river was diverted and temporarily re-routed. After completion of this part of the dam, riprap was placed on the upstream side to prevent damage from wave action. This left the embankment complete except for the final closure section. The emergency spillway was constructed at the north end of the dam. Aas the name implies, it is only used when emergency conditions are present. Completion of the emergency spillway ended the first contract on November 15, 1950. The second contract provided for the construction of the outlet works and embankment closure. The outlet works included the approach channel, intake and transition, conduits, stilling basin and control tower or gatehouse.
During the second contract workers excavated the outlet channel to connect the outlet structure with the existing river. At the same time an approach channel was excavated upstream for the outlet structure connecting the intake of the structure with the existing river channel above the dam. These channels allowed the river flow to be diverted through the outlet channel structure so that the final closure could be completed. After completing the relocation of roads and bridges, the second contract ended and the project was placed into operation in December 1952. The total cost of the project, including lands, highway and utility relocation was approximately $15,000,000.
The two major flood control components of Enid Dam are the Outlet Works and the Emergency Spillway. The control tower or gatehouse is the part of the outlet works that controls the water level in the lake. Located inside the building are two gates, which can be opened or closed to regulate water levels. When water is released, it flows through two 11-foot diameter conduits and comes out on the downstream side of the dam and through the stilling basin. The job of the stilling basin is to slow or "still" the velocity of the water to prevent erosion of the outlet channel. This is accomplished by the placement of concrete baffle blocks in the stilling basin at the mouth of the outlet channel. These blocks act as a barrier and effectively slow the water so it can safely flow down the channel. When the water level of the lake exceeds 268.0 feet above sea level, or flood stage, it is the job of the emergency spillway to handle the excess water. At this high lake level, water will spill over the top of the spillway and flow downstream. In the history of the dam, the emergency spillway has experienced flow four times - 1973, 1983, 1991, and 2002.
The Enid Lake Project covers approximately 44,000 acres and is visited by more than 1.7 million people each year. Although the primary purpose of Enid Lake is flood risk management, many other benefits have been derived from the project. From the time the lake was put into operation, the demand for recreational opportunities has steadily increased. Enid Lake has always been very popular with camping enthusiasts. Today, Enid offers some of the most modern campgrounds and picnicking facilities in the nation. With approximately 17,000 acres of water, water sports such as swimming, boating and water skiing are very popular. Additionally, almost 28,000 acres of the project are managed for fish and wildlife and provides some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities in north Mississippi. As a matter of fact, Enid Lake is known as one of the best fishing lakes in the southeast and welcomes thousands of fishermen annually. The World Record White Crappie was caught from Enid Lake in 1957 and weighed 5 lbs. 3 ozs.
As a multi-purpose lake, Enid provides many economic benefits to our local communities. Visitors spend 12.75 million dollars annually within 30 miles of Enid Lake. The lake is directly or indirectly responsible for 358 jobs in the local area. Another mission for Enid Lake is Water Supply. Enid Lake furnishes water to LSP Energy Limited Partnership Electric Power Generation Facility in Batesville, Mississippi, and to the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery located below the dam. The LSP Energy Limited Partnership Electric Power Generation Facility provides electricity to a number of locations across the nation. Enid Lake also supplies water to the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery. This state of the art facility was constructed to provide a number of fish species to lakes and waterways across the state. The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery also has a visitor center that will give visitors an in depth look at fish production as well as the progression of fishing throughout time. These two facilities employ over 70 people from the local area.
Whether visitors come to Enid Lake to learn more about the history of its construction, to enjoy the many excellent recreational facilities, or simply to enjoy the quiet solitude of a beautiful lake with a family-friendly atmosphere, each visit will be unique and satisfying.
