Cook Lake revamp set for next summer

Cook Lake Recreation Area is set to get a makeover this summer in the form of a complete reconstruction of its dam. Now six decades old, the dam and spillway are showing signs of wear and tear and will be replaced to stop the leakage and improve the overall site.

“The existing dam is leaking a lot. Structurally, it’s starting to get to that point where something has to happen,” says Roger Showman, Forest Service.

“The spillway is starting to fail. It’s about 60 years old, and it was a log spillway, so it’s starting to rot down and there are lots of issues going on with it.”

The maintenance has been on the docket for several years, having been announced to the public as an upcoming project back in 2013. Previous District Ranger Steve Kozel told attendees at a public meeting in 2016 that $1.3 million had been allocated for repairs to enhance the stability and safety of the dam by increasing the capacity of the spillway, which in turn will keep the lake level static.

“Currently, Cook Lake will be shut down after July 4 for the anticipated reconstruction of the dam,” says Adrian Whitmore, Forest Service. “It will hopefully re-open by the end of the season, at least by hunting season.”

When exactly the recreation area will re-open, however, cannot be confirmed at the present time.

“That’s going to be construction-dependent on how long it takes, what the weather is like for the people doing the reconstruction on the dam,” says Roger Showman, Forest Service.

“A lot of it is funding dependent, but it looks like we have got that.”

The project will begin around the Independence Day holiday, he continues.

“As of right now, they’re probably going to start drawing the lake down just before July 4 or just after, because it will have to be drawn way down. It will be restocked once we start the refilling process,” he says.

Closing and opening dates will likely be firmed up by April or May.