Recent rains fill up to a third of HorseThief Reservoir

The HorseThief reservoir project marked two important milestones last week.
    The completed dam passed its final state inspection and, on the same day, an unexpected rainfall filled the lake to about 35 percent capacity.
    With the state's approval of the construction, a large part of Ron Allen's job is finished. As Pawnee Watershed District manager, the planning and construction of the dam were his responsibility.
    The remaining components of the park, including interior roads, water systems and recreational facilities, are the responsibility of park manager Josh Hobbs.

A dream job
    Hobbs, 32, grew up on his family's farm near Beloit. He worked for Kansas Parks and Wildlife after high school and followed up a confusing freshman year at college by starting a trucking company and driving all over the country.
    When he was ready to go back to school he chose Oklahoma Panhandle State University and majored in biology.
    After he completed his degree, he was hired to teach biology and zoology at his alma mater.
    When the job as park manager for HorseThief came up, he applied and considered himself lucky to get the interview.
    Now he finds himself making plans to open a brand new facility next spring.
    "This is what I originally wanted to do since I was a kid," Hobbs told the Globe Monday.
   
The next phase
    With the dam complete, the focus of work on the site shifts to roads and the water system.
    Bids will be opened Wednesday for the road project and, if the weather holds, all the roads within the park will be completed in 60 to 90 days.
    The next major project will be the park's water system, which will provide water to many locations throughout the park.
    Meanwhile, grass seeding, which is the final phase of dam construction, will proceed in conjunction with the first tree plantings around the park.
    The dam is now closed, and with favorable conditions during the winter, the water supplied by last week's rainfall will be joined by runoff from snow in the area and the lake will open next spring at an impressive level.
    HorseThief officials have predicted that it could take as long as four to five years for the lake to reach full capacity. After last week's cloudburst, that goal seems easily attainable.

Fun for everyone
    Plans are underway for the park to open — tenatively, Memorial Day weekend.
    When the park does open, it will provide area residents a venue for boating, jet skiing and fishing. There will be approximately 40 campsites with hookups ready for the opening — more are expected over the next three years.
    There will be primitive areas for tent camping.
    There will also be a number of multi-use trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.
    "Right now, especially since they've heard there's water in the lake, we have a lot of people driving out to see the site. We encourage people to drive by for a look; we just ask them so stay on the roads," Hobbs said.
    To visit the HorseThief project, drive north on 14th Avenue from Dodge City.
    "The road curves around the dam, so you can't miss it," Hobbs said.

Reach Don Steele at (620) 408-9910 or e-mail him at  don.steele@dodgeglobe.com