BUDE – With completion of a more than $10 million dam,supporters Saturday marked a “major milestone in the journey”toward development of recreational lake in Franklin County.

During a completion ceremony, speakers recalled the longer than50-year grassroots effort to have the lake developed and lookedforward to 2007 when Lake Okhissa is expected to formally open. Inofficiating the ceremony, Franklin County Chancery Clerk JimmyJones said good things come to those who wait.

“We waited, it’s a good thing and it’s here,” said Jones, whodescribed himself as a “newcomer” to the project with only 32 yearsof support.

District 37 Sen. Bob Dearing said Franklin County is one ofMississippi’s “best-kept secrets” that will soon become known tomany.

“In just a few short months, it’s going to be a well-known placefor recreational activities,” Dearing said.

Since the valve on the dam was closed last November, the1,000-acre lake has been stocked with 300,000 minnows, 200,000catfish, 300,000 bream and 80,000 bass. Crappie will be stocked inthe future.

True to form, former longtime Franklin County Supervisor CarlRay Lehman was succinct in his words on the lake.

“It took a long time to get it, but it’s here. Hope it worksout,” Lehman said.

Speakers applauded the local, state and federal partnership thatput the dam and lake on the road to reality.

“The entire community became involved in an active way,” saidU.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, the event’s featured speaker.

Mentioning engineering and environmental issues, Cochran saidthe lake had to overcome some challenges.

The senator said the community’s persistence and more than $10million came together to produce a successful project. He said itwill play an important part in life of Homochitto National Forestand provide many opportunities for young and old alike.

Cochran and others also cited the role that Franklin AdvocatePublisher Mary Lou Webb and her late husband, Dave, had in supportof the lake.

“I really think she has been the leading, inspirational forcebehind local support that’s been given to this project,” Cochransaid.

Sitting in the audience, Webb smiled proudly as she observed themorning’s events. Later, she said she was never turned down forhelp by anyone while working toward lake development.

“I’m just thankful to the good Lord. I really am,” Webb said.”It’s been an effort by everybody.”

Construction of the 97.1-foot-high dam was managed by theNatural Resources Conservation Service. It is the tallest in thestate.

Seven miles of interior roads were designed by the FederalHighway Administration for the recreational lake. Otherlake-related projects include finding a partner to development arecreational area, implementation of a water supply system for thearea and completion of a sewage system.

“We look forward to completing our work in this project,” saidTony Dixon, forest supervisor for national forests inMississippi.

Several representatives from Lincoln County, includingSupervisors President Bobby J. Watts and Chamber of CommerceExecutive Vice President Cliff Brumfield, made the journey to Budefor the celebration.

“This is going to mean a lot for southwest Mississippi,” Wattssaid of the lake. “It’s just a great thing this particular part ofthe country.”

Watts, who commended supporters for their persistence, alsopointed out the lake’s importance to Lincoln County. He said a newroad is being developed between Caseyville in Lincoln County andEddiceton in Franklin County to improve access to the area.

“The scenery will be great on both the Lincoln end and theFranklin end,” Watts said.