Museum to celebrate 70th anniversary of Enders Dam

    The Chase County Museum in Champion will hold a special exhibit Sunday for the 70th anniversary of the building of Enders Dam and Reservoir.
    The main reason to build the dam more than 70 years ago was flood control.
    “After the ‘34 flood (of the Republican River), something needed to be done,” Chase County Historical Society President Charley Colton said.
    Construction of the dam began in March 1947, so it’s not quite the 70th anniversary.
    “We missed it last year, so it’s sort of delayed,” Colton said.
    Even though it wasn’t the main reason for building, many of the workers on the dam were post-World War II veterans who needed work.
    “Many local vets were hired because they had the truck driving experience,” Colton said.
    They were paid $1 to $2 per hour, depending on their experience.
    According to old editions of The Imperial Republican, the actual moving of dirt began on March 26, 1947.
    The first part of the project was to construct a dike to protect the Burlington railroad, nearby territory and the Village of Enders.
    This dike was planned to be 6,400 feet long and 20 feet high in places.

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