Oktibbeha County Lake Lawsuit Raises Questions About Future Access and Recreation

Oktibbeha County Lake Lawsuit: What’s the Latest?

In the heart of Oktibbeha County, there’s a lot happening regarding the future of the county lake, and it’s sparking quite a bit of conversation among local residents. With a lawsuit currently in the mix, community members are left wondering how it will all unfold. Let’s break it down and see what’s going on!

What’s the Background?

The county lake was established way back in 1965 primarily for recreation. However, its management has seen quite a few twists and turns over the years. Approximately 75% of the lake sits on land leased from the Starkville School District, which historically allowed public access under state guidelines. This part was leased to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for just $4,500 annually.

However, in 2011, the MDWFP decided not to renew the lease, leading to a new chapter in the lake’s story. A group of investors, notably featuring former Mississippi State University basketball coach Rick Stansbury, stepped in and leased the portion for a much higher annual fee of $25,000, setting the stage for a water park called Wet N Wild. They later also acquired the county’s portion of the lake for just $2,500 yearly, effectively gaining full control.

The Lawsuit Unfolds

Fast forward to January 2020: County Engineer Clyde Pritchard issued a serious warning about the dam’s integrity, indicating it was on the verge of breaching. As a precaution, the county decided to significantly lower the water level, almost entirely draining the lake. This decision didn’t sit well with Wet N Wild, who felt wronged and responded by suing the county in August 2020. They claimed the county’s failure to maintain the dam violated their lease and sought a hefty $1 million for lost revenue, along with a demand for the county to repair the dam and share control of the levee.

Search for a Solution

As the lawsuit lingered over the last few years, the county found itself grappling with how to address the situation. They explored various options for funding repairs to the dam, eventually landing a federal grant through the Natural Resources Conservation Commission in 2022. This led to the appointment of WSP USA Environmental and Infrastructure to assess the situation and come up with possible solutions.

Since December, WSP has been looking into different pathways for the lake’s future, with a public hearing scheduled to share their findings and potential costs. They’ve been weighing options that range from rehabilitating the levee to possibly decommissioning the lake altogether.

What’s Next for Oktibbeha County Lake?

As for the lawsuit with Wet N Wild, the county is keen on settling the matter. The board of supervisors is actively trying to buy out the leases held by the water park, but that agreement hasn’t quite been reached yet. Board attorney Rob Roberson indicated that negotiations are ongoing and the outcome could significantly influence the lake’s operational future.

It’s a turning point for local residents and lake enthusiasts. If the lake gets rebuilt, will the public still have access? And if it doesn’t, what does that mean for recreation in the area? These are questions that many folks in Oktibbeha County are pondering as they await updates and results from the upcoming public hearing.