One hundred twenty CCC workmen began work on the 775-foot long, 17-foot high dam, six miles west of Carrington on August 16, 1934. The dam is located on the land belonging to Jessie A. Ramage estate on the southwest quarter of section 19 in Wyard Township. An estimated 16,000 yards of soil was moved to construct the earth-filled dam. County machinery was hired to help with the earth-moving task.
The dam impounds a lake one and three‑quarters miles long, with its width varying according to the contour of the hills but averaging about‑1,200 feet wide. The maximum depth is 14 feet in the main streambed. The average depth of the reservoir is nine feet. (Foster County Independent)
"Lake Wyard" was the name endorsed by the Carrington businessmen for the new lake. The businessmen collected money to spread gravel. An area was selected for swimming on the east side of the lake, where a small peninsula juts into the water about 300 yards north of the dam.
In 1936 two bathhouses were erected, a wooden walk was constructed from the houses to the lake. The State game and fish department planted about 2,700 perch in the lake which provided some excellent fishing for the visitors. It became a popular spot for recreation on a hot summer's day.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 17