MAY 2007

The “Miracle” That Made Lake Arlington

— February 1954
Arlington has 40,000 residents. Water was in short supply. Droughts in previous years forced city leaders to call a bond election for the construction of a lake. The bond election was a success. On Election Day, 1,461 voters supported the project and 897 were against it.

— March 24, 1957
As construction began, the drought continued. With limited assets and a projected finish date of 2 years, the project was considered by some to be a bad idea by then Mayor Tom Vandergriff. Lake Arlington was dubbed “Vandergriff’s Folly.”

— Nearly one year later!
Arlington Water Superintendent Jack Cherry closes the last valve of the newly constructed dam. The rains come. The 15 billion gallon lake that was supposed to take two years to fill was full in 27 days! “Vandergriff’s Folly” became “Miracle Lake.”

— Lake Arlington is open for fishing, spanning 2,250 surface acres.

— July 3, 2007
Arlington celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Lake Arlington. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. at Richard W. Simpson Park, at 6300 W. Arkansas Lane. Vendors, arts, crafts, sailboat rides, dance troupes, martial arts displays, bounce houses, and a stage featuring live entertainment from Silver Rail and the Josh Weather Band. As the sun goes down, Lake Arlington will host a lighted boat regatta and fireworks show!

Lake Arlington is popular among boaters. Today the lake has black bass, sand bass, hybrid strippers, catfish and crappie. “There’s a lot of history here,” said Lake Supervisor Michael Debrecht. “And it’s going to be a great place for the next 50 years.”

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