Okhissa Lake is almost ready for a big party.

The lake is slated to open sometime in fall 2007.

Deputy District Ranger Tim Slone of the Homochitto National Forest District Office in Meadville said Okhissa Lake will open once Phase I of the building project is completed. He said those projects include the construction of roads, a boat ramp, a parking lot and restrooms.

Slone said he expects the access from Highway 98, an approximate two-mile stretch of road, the boat ramp and the parking lot to be completed by

the middle of February with the weather permitting.

“Right now it all depends on the weather, especially this time of year when it is wet,” said Slone.

He said once those projects have been completed, work will begin on the lake’s restroom facilities that will be located near the boat ramp, and upon their completion the lake will open to the public.

Slone said the lake’s dam was dedicated in Oct. 2005 and construction on Phase I has been on going for approximately a year.

“We haven’t had any recent problems with construction,” said Slone. “But the weather has been a big factor.”

He said the purpose of the lake was to promote recreational and economic development in Franklin County.

Slone said once the lake is open it will provide an outlet for several aquatic interests. He said the lake will reach 30 feet at some depths and when full, it will cover 1,075 surface acres. The depth is one of the lake’s unique characteristics because it is deeper than most lakes in the area.

“It’s a great lake for people to fish and ski,” Slone said.

He said Okhissa Lake is also a Bill Dance signature lake and is part of a fish habitat enhancement project.

“Several million dollars have been spent to make this a world class fishing location,” Slone said.

Slone said patrons will have to pay to use the lake once it opens. No cost has been finalized, but the preliminary plans are to charge $3 per car, per day to use the lake.

Construction of the lake and its facilities has been paid for through federal funding. Construction on Phase II, which will create access north from the lake’s entrance across the dam to the east side of the lake, is slated to begin upon the receipt of funding in future years.