Chapter Eighteen

The Bull Shoals Dam

Page 322-324

The second situation which drew attention was that in 1954 as the water level of the lake declined, due to a prolonged drouth, reports were circulated to the effect that water along the shore line of the Jimmies Creek arm of the lake on the farm formerly owned by Simon Osborn was running into holes along the shore line at that location. The location of these holes was some twelve to fifteen miles shore line above the dam and three or four miles almost due west of the Due Eddy Spring and on the opposite side of White River. Fishermen reported that they had found a place on the shore line where the water was flowing out of the lake into a hole and they reported that they could hear the water falling as over a waterfall. This was reported to the Corps of Engineers and they investigated the report and it was found to be true.

Following the investigation, the Engineers poured colored dye into the hole where the water was leaving the lake in an effort to determine where it would surface. The next day traces of this colored dye appeared in the flow of water at the Due Eddy Spring. This water had to flow under part of the lake, under a state highway, under Bull Shoals Mountain, and under the White River-a distance of some three or four miles to make its appearance in the Due Eddy Spring.

The Corps of Engineers conducted a study to ascertain the amount of water lost in this leak and determined that the loss was enough to justify a considerable expenditure of funds in an effort to stop the leak. The method used was known as "grouting", that is the placing a series of pipes in the leaks and forcing a mixture of cement and lime into the openings. Some of the mixture showed up in the spring. It was thought at the time as the lake level lowered that the problem had been solved, but as the lake filled again the flow and pressure of water at Due Eddy Spring increased. This situation and the mystery thereof remain unsolved.

The Bull Shoals Dam was officially dedicated by President Harry S. Truman in 1952 and the dedicatory services attracted, perhaps, the largest crowd to ever assemble in either Baxter or Marion County. In addition to President Truman and his party, other notables present were Senator John L. McClellan, Governor Sid McMath, Chief of the U.S. Corps of Engineers of Washington, D.C., the District Engineer of the Little Rock District of Engineers, Congressman J. W. Trimble, who introduced the President, former Congressman Clyde T. Ellis, then Executive Manager of the National Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives and the one, who, perhaps more than any other individual, was responsible for getting construction on the White River dams started and for their being made dual-purpose projects rather than flood control only. In addition to those mentioned above, most county and city officials of both Baxter and Marion County attended as did many prominent citizens and officials of the surrounding counties. A host of friends and well-wishers from President Truman's home state of Missouri were there to welcome him. All in all it can be said that this was probably the most exciting event that had transpired in the lives of most of the native citizens of Marion County. Children of that day will be telling their children and their grandchildren of the time when a President of the United States was in the county.

No one can estimate in dollars and cents the advantages of the Bull Shoals Dam. Since it was constructed primarily as a flood control dam one must say that judged on flood control alone it has proved its worth. In the 1957 flood and again in the flood of 1973, had Bull Shoals Dam and the other flood control dams not been in existence at the time, the White River Valley would have been devastated as in 1915 and in 1927. Captain Mike Husted of the U.S. Engineers, in an article he wrote relative to the flood control projects, estimated that had these projects not existed in 1973 that damage from that flood alone would have exceeded 14 billion dollars. The damage from the 1957 flood would likely not have been as high as the estimated 1973 damage, but it must be kept in mind that several lesser floods since 1952 have been averted by Bull Shoals Dam and other of the flood control projects.

As was pointed out earlier the Bull Shoals Dam and the Norfork Dam changed the economy of Baxter County and Marion County. Before construction the economy of both counties was largely agriculture. That is no longer true, as industry and recreation lead agriculture, perhaps, both in the number of people employed and the income derived therefrom. The agriculture economy itself has changed dramatically. Earlier agriculture was largely row crops with some livestock. Today agriculture is largely hay, pasture and livestock with little row crops.

Not only has the economy of Marion County changed but the social and political conditions also have changed. Prior to the building of Bull Shoals Dam, a vast majority of the people were natives of the county and were generally considered as being typical Ozarkians-friendly, hospitable, and closely bound by family ties. Politically the people were predominately Democrats. Due to the great number of people who have chosen Marion County as their retirement home, it is likely that these people constitute a majority of the residents of Marion County. While the natives have played an important part in making Marion County a good place in which to live, let it be said to the credit of the new citizens that they have brought new ideas, a new culture, energy and enthusiasm, and have in every sense of the word become good citizens, boosters of the area, and the fusion of the old and new has been harmonious and good for Marion County. It might be said also that the population of Marion County has been on the increase for the past ten years or more and it is anticipated that the 1980 census will show the population count to be the highest ever, and this growth may be attributed largely to the changes brought about by the Bull Shoals Dam.

Politically the one party system in Marion County-Democrats- is a thing of the past. Although a majority of the citizens still vote as "Democrats", many more vote Republican than formerly and a great number now consider themselves Independents. No nominee of the Democratic party for county office in Marion County can feel assured of election prior to the November election.

In conclusion it must be pointed out that the contribution made by the hydro-electricity generated at the Bull Shoals Dam can hardly be over emphasized during this energy shortage. This energy is largely peak power and when used as such becomes much more valuable. It prevents the installation of costly generation that would be used only during peak hour usage and thereby helps to prevent extra increases in the cost of electric energy.

To be mentioned also is the valuable recreational facilities that Bull Shoals Lake provides and the related industries that have come into being, particularly the boat industry and tourists. The latest official count shows that in 1975, 4,385,656 tourists visited Bull Shoals Dam. It is hoped that these tourists were impressed by the advantages to be found in Marion County and that many of these will return to make Marion County their home and help to make this a better and happier place in which to live.