Times Observer file photos The development of the Kinzua Dam presented a series of challenges for a newly-minted Warren County Planning Commission. “Land development and the manner in which these areas are developed is the largest single problem the Kinzua Dam will create,” it claimed.

This “What could have been?” on the Allegheny Reservoir is quite the rabbit trail.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Warren County mobilized as the completion of the Kinzua Dam project approached.

The “Warren County Planning Commission” was formed in 1958 and by early 1960 had a permanent staff.

Why? The Commission published some of its own articles in county papers. The reason is pretty simple: “Land development and the manner in which these areas are developed is the largest single problem the Kinzua Dam will create.”

The Commission reached out to Harold Miller, then the director of the Tennessee State Planning Commission to discuss the problem that Tennessee experienced after the creation of the Old Hickory Dam.

One of the themes was the importance of preserving access to the reservoir. I’ve heard people in passing say that there was a concern about the Allegheny Reservoir experiencing development similar to Chautauqua Lake.

“It is one thing perhaps to drive for miles around some of the famous ponds in New England or smaller lakes in Michigan and be unable to get to the waters because the shore is ringed with private lots and no trespassing signs,” the Commission detailed. “That is regrettable, but those are natural waters and not created with public funds. Even a few usable points of access free and open to the public on a lake such as yours will truly make those public waters open to the public.”

So Miller suggested that the county’s Planning Commission “either encourage a land purchase program which will result in a number of access points or park sites so that the public may have access to the lake” or “have your local and state governments move in at the earliest possible date to purchase or condemn if necessary one or more park sites that will give undisputed access to the Reservoir.”

By 1960, the Warren County Observer was able to report that plans were “well advanced” for access points on the east bank of the reservoir. Think Big Bend, Red Bridge, Kiasutha, Elijah Run and Dewdrop.

The last 65 years tell us that there would continue to be no substantial development on the western bank.

But planners didn’t know that at the time so the recommendation was made that strong subdivision regulations be put in place so people could scarf up land and try to sell the individual lots.

“Land development and the manner in which these areas are developed is the largest single problem the Kinzua Dam will create,” the Commission said. “But also important is the need for adequate public access and the manner in which the existing highway system will be replaced.”

I didn’t dig into the full scope of the work of the Planning Commission but it was clear that they had objectives.

One was preservation of the Cornplanter Reservation.

“With the completion of the $119,000,000 Kinzua Reservoir, nearly two-thirds of the reservation will be inundated,” the Warren Times-Mirror reported on June 8, 1960. “The reservation is located on the west side of the proposed reservoir southwest of Kinzua. It is surrounded by steep terrain.”

There was some question about whether the terrain of the piece of the reservation that wouldn’t be flooded would be able to be productively used.

The Planning Commission proposed a state park with historical, swimming and boating areas.

“Will the legends and deeds of this famous Chief gradually be forgotten? Will the significance of the area pass on into the musty archives of historical records to be remembered and perpetuated by a few?” the Commission asked in another article. “This should not be allowed to take place, and if proper steps are taken it shall not happen.”

That concern about the potential lack of public access was one of the driving factors for this proposal as – caps in the original – the reservation lands were the “only existing area for PUBLIC ACCESS available on the western bank of the reservoir for immediate development.”

The Planning Commission also advocated for roadway improvements, pushing the Corps of Engineers to replace Reservation Road on the west side of the river and now under water.

“In keeping with the Corps’ policy of replacement in kind, the gravel road would run along the reservoir from the Onoville Road to Hodge Run,” the Commission proposed.

Their argument was that a road on the western bank of the reservoir would provide emergency – but also scenic – access.

“This in effect,” William King, the director of the commission, said, “would create a scenic drive along the entire western bank of the reservoir similar to the existing drive through Hearts Content.”

King said in a different article that under Corps policy, the Corps was required by law to replace any public facility with similar facilities, such as roads and utility lines.

“At present the Cornplanter Reservation road runs south from Onoville along the west bank of the Allegheny River,” the paper reported. “With completion of Kinzua Dam,” said King, the gravel-type road would be flooded. It is the only road along the West Bank because of typography. No homes are located on the west side because of steep ridges.”