The city of Kirksville matched the donation by purchasing an additional . Following voter passage of a special bond issue, land was acquired to construct a dam across Big Creek, a tributary of the Chariton. Upon its completion in summer 1952, the new reservoir was known as "Lake Kirksville" but by September that year the Kirksville city council, through ordinance, officially designed the reservoir "Forest Lake" (with one "r") so named for the surrounding woodlands.
The city of Kirksville matched the donation by acquiring extra land. Following voter approval of a special bond issue, land was secured to build a dam across Big Creek, which is part of the Chariton watershed. Upon completion in summer 1952, the new reservoir was called "Lake Kirksville," but by September that year, through an ordinance, the city council officially renamed it "Forest Lake" (with one "r") due to its surrounding woodlands.