Craighead County Justices Approve Bono Lake Agreement

“It’s about time.”

That was the sentiment Monday night as Craighead County justices approved an agreement with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for the operation of Bono Lake.

The issue began in the late 1990’s as residents east of Bono were looking for a way to control flooding along U.S. 63.

The AGFC bought 276 acres of land, for $689,500, in Feb. 2001 in the area to build the lake.

Supporters have stressed the lake would bring business as well as people who fish to the region.

In return, Craighead County spent $568,045 to replace four wooden bridges to Hatchie Coon Island at the St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area.

The county also spent $4.8 million to build a dam and lake bed.

Officials began working to fill the lake with water in April 2014. Since then, the lake has started to fill up.

Justices heard from Brett Timmons, an official with AGFC, about the project.

Timmons said a main focus now involves building a boat ramp and access road to the lake.
Only boats with a 9.9 horsepower engine or a trolling motor would be allowed on the lake, Timmons said. Officials are stressing that people should walk to the lake from the Craighead 361 side.

The county would be responsible for the rules for the lake. Officials are hopeful that the road will be built by Labor Day.