When the discussion about building community and farm dams on the small streams was first started and the sites were being surveyed for possible placement of these dams, the first two sites considered were the Pipestem and across the outlet near Juanita Lake that flows into the James River. This was in 1932. The Pipestem Dam was built‑ but what happened to the Juanita Dam?
Government surveys were made as early as 1929 of the Lake Juanita region and along the James River in connection with the Missouri River flood control program. They stated in the report that Juanita Lake was spring fed and that it flowed into the James River.
The Foster County Water Conservation Association with A. Thompson, a Kensal surveyor, visited the area. Mr. Thompson suggested in his report after this visit, that a dam 215 feet long and 14 feet wide should be constructed at the south end of the lake. This would raise the lake level at that time by four or five feet, making the lake depth with the new dam about nine and a half feet.
Building of other dams in the county proceeded with every speed, but there was a hang‑up about building the Juanita Dam. More surveyors under the supervision of the U.S. Forest Service came to the county to inspect as many as 20 different sites in 1934. The Independent states: "It had not been determined whether or not these engineers will make a survey at Lake Juanita. The Juanita job is being considered as a game refuge by the U.S. Biological Survey. If they reject it as a game refuge, the survey and work may be turned over to the Forest Service and CCC workmen."
It goes on to report that the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey was going to purchase 75,000 acres of land along the James River for breeding areas for wild fowl. Rumors followed that the government was interested in the Lake Juanita region for a breeding area.
January 1, 1935 issue of the Independent: "No decision has been received yet from the U.S. Biological Survey.
The Bureau had had the project under consideration the past several months."
(September 12, 1935, Independent.)
"WPA sends application to Washington, which must be approved, to build a dam at the outlet. These plans were for a construction of 450 foot long dam thus raising the lake 4 1/2 feet."
The next report tells that the Foster county officers were notified by Thomas Moodie, state WPA administrator, that the Juanita Dam had definitely been refused. Mr. Moodie explained that the refusal had come from Washington, D.C.
The committee undaunted, continued to work for its approval. Sportsman clubs, county organizations, banded together and sent resolutions and written endorsement to Mr. Moodie at Bismarck. The result was a protest being filed by the Biological survey.
They claimed that the dam "would be a detriment to wildlife rather than an asset, because it would detract from the flow of water to the Arrowwood reservoirs below it on the James River, and would lessen the present value of the lake in producing food for wild fowl." (Independent, December 19, 1935)
Because of this protest the state WPA refused the county's request.
Mr. Thompson wrote a report refuting the statement by the Biological survey and renewed the request for the dam to Mr. Moodie.
In October 1936 a Juanita Dam Rally was held at the lake. Members of the Biological Survey were asked to attend as well as the district directors of WPA, Chief district engineers and the assistant director of WPA, county commissioners, officers of the Foster county committee, and Mr. Moodie. The public was also invited to the business meeting.
At the time the meeting was held the water level in the lake was an average depth of one foot, with the deepest spots at 2 1/4 feet. Water in the narrows was 22 inches deep when the survey was made three years before and at that time it was two or three inches deep.
A crowd of more than 150 people attended the rally. The WPA and Biological Survey officers from Fargo and Minot were unable to attend the meeting. Plans were made to submit the request at the regional meeting to be held in Jamestown.
Despite all the efforts of the local and state‑people, the Biological Survey won the battle. "That is why there is no "Juanita Dam"!
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 19