University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas
KANSAN
Section 4 Area Lifestyle
Lakes good recreation spots
By CAROL MILLS Staff Reporter
Lawrence may not have miles of warm sand beaches or a horizon full of rolling ocean waters, but the area does provide two large lakes with hunting, hunting, fishing and other recreational areas.
Federal funds have provided the area with Clinton Reservoir, a 7,000 acre lake four miles west of Lawrence. Perry Lake, about 15 miles north of Lawrence on Highway 24, offers 39,000 acres of land and water for fishing, boating, swimming and camping.
Construction began on Perry Lake in 1964 and was completed in 1969. At a cost of $74,900,000, Perry not only protects the Delaware Basin from flooding and provides water supplies for surrounding cities, but also offers a variety of recreational opportunities.
LAST MEMORIAL DAY weekend, 164,779 people visited Perry Lake, said George Hathaway, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"Most of the people are there for fishing and camping," he said. "Most are weekend visitors. We do get some tourists from other states, but most are to fish and camp for a day or two."
Perry provides sets aside for small-game hunting. The game is primarily wildlife that is indigenous to Kansas. The hunting areas surround Perry and extend north to Valley Falls.
Crappie and catfish are the most common fish at Perry, but largemouth bass can also be found. For those who want to fish for several days, campites, picnic areas and swimming beaches are available. Marinas and boat ramps are provided.
Perry boasts a national recreational trail for hikers and campers. The Lake Trail, the second in Kansas designated as a national recreational trail, runs for 14.5 miles along the east shore of Lake Huron to the southern Banks. The trail winds its way to the Old Military Trail Group Camp, north of the creek.
A BIKE TRAIL has been made south of the
lake's administration office. Horse trails have also been developed for those interested in horse back riding. Maps of these trails are available at the administration office on the south side of Perry Lake.
Hathaway said the most popular areas of Perry were the dam areas and the Rock and Sand Dam.
"Most people fish near the dam and the upper arms of the lake," he said. "We had about 25,999 people here in February, so we have winter recreational activities, top."
Hathaway said people ice fished, rode snowmobiles and even camped, in the winter.
CLINTON RESERVOIR, closer to Lawrence,
provides many of the same activities as Perry.
Construction began on the reservoir in 1972,
and it is expected that the reservoir is full,
it will cover about 15,000 acres.
Tim Carey, also of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said Clinton did not officially open until 1980, but that from June 1777 to January 1978, 86,900 people had visited the area.
"The State Park opened earlier," he said.
"Most of the people came to camp and sightsee
Carvea said 1,233,700 people visited Clinton in 1980, and by the end of June 1982, 577,600 had used it.
CLINTON IS STOCKED with game fish such as crappie, northern pike, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Hunting areas have also been designated, and indigenous wildlife such as rabbit, deer, raccoon, mourning doves, quail and squirrel are hunted. Hunting licenses are required and can be ob
Most people come to Clinton to fish and have picnics, Carey said.
"I'd say about 25 percent of our visitors are here to camp, 15 percent to 20 percent are here to go boating, and about 40 percent are just here to sight-see," he said.
CLINTON HAS SPECIFIC places for the various recreational activities. On the west side of the lake, the Bloomington area, there are 600
campites near a marina, a beach and a museum. Water and electrical hookups are available.
The Outlet area, on the east side of Clinton,
provides picnic areas and fishing platforms. A
magnificent outdoor destination.
Biking and hiking trails are in the Rockhaven area, southwest of the lake. The trails extend for 30 miles and can accommodate up to 10 bikers or hikers, Carey said.
THE WOODBRIDGE AREA, encompassing the northern part of Clinton, is for backpackers and campers looking for a rough, uncleared area. Visitors can camp and hike wherever they choose.
A picnic area, Overlook, has been established north of the dam. This area is listed as the most scenic of the Clinton Lake site.
A state park has been designed and is managed by the Kansas State Park and Resources Authority. This park has 375 campsites, a beach and large picnic areas.
Another small lake about 12 miles southwest of Lawrence provides sites for limited recreational activities.
Lone Star, a 200-acre lake, built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, was drained in 1980 to correct a faulty floodgate and cracks in the gate's housing.
THIS SUMMER, THE valve on the floodgate was closed, and the lake has been filling again.
was closed, and the lake has been filling again. David Greene, engineer in training with the Douglas County Public Workers Department, said that people have been stocked and that people can now fish there.
"People have been fishing in it," he said.
"Although the lake is not full, some people have been swimming, too. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, bluegill and chan-
grelers."
"And to my knowledge, the fish population is doing well."
Greene said Lone Star Lake should be operational and filled to capacity by next summer.
"Weather permitting, and with luck, the lake will be in operation next year," he said. "The water is awfully murky for swimming this year because of the weather."
Photo by SUSAN PAGE
Photo by BULLARD KU Water SKI ski team member, Kim Butcher, Mission junior, practices on a private water ski lake on highway K-10 east of Lawrence.