Ericson, Neb. – The Lake Ericson Board has approved repairs to the lake’s infrastructure, that’s according to Board President Joe Wadas who says repairs to the emergency spillway alone will cost $75,000 to $80,000.
The spillway is what gave way following immense rain June 11-15 draining most of the lakes water in a matter of hours.
The board plans to bring in engineers to help with reconstruction and build a structure that will withstand future flooding.
The lake’s structural dam remains in place and operational said Wadas who expects the lakes leak to be stopped tomorrow, weather permitting.
Wadas doesn’t know how long it will take to refill the lake or when water would be let back in saying only that it will depend on the engineers and when the time is ready.
Donations are being accepted at the Ericson State Bank and Cornerstone Bank.
Photos courtesy of Cheryl Krohn.
AMAZING PHOTOS!!! I visited Lake Ericson just last year and tanked down the Cedar River. Living in Omaha all my life, and having traveled many places I can sincerely say that the Sand Hills are some of the most beautiful country in the world. The Cedar River was a mere 5 foot wide stream when I was there. To see it in such a state is utterly shocking. Thank you so much for keeping those of us in the Mo Valley up to date with your informative journalism.
I grew up going to Lake Ericson. My grandparents owned the two western facing cabins on Stitzer Way, next to the playground. I loved spending my weekends at the cabin riding our blue Honda 50 around the lake, cannoning down the Ceder, playing and fishing around the dam, and watching the 4th of July firework show every year. I was saddened when my parents told us that they sold the cabins after my grandmother wasn’t able to keep up the cabins after we had all grown up and moved out. I just wish I had been a bit older so I could have purchased them and used them for own family.
These photos brought back a lot of old memories. It’s hard to believe that the lake is so small now, with the new swimming area road literally cutting the lake in half. For those of you not familiar with the old school lake, the lake used to span the entire distance between Chesapeake north road (by the dump) and The Blvd. And the new dam looks so weird, all the trees on the north side cut out. You used to have to walk trails to get to the north side of the bottom of the dam.