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.
Kirksville matched the donation by purchasing additional land. After securing a special bond issue with voter approval, land was acquired for constructing a dam on Big Creek, which is a tributary of the Chariton River. The new reservoir, named "Lake Kirksville" in summer 1952, was later renamed to "Forest Lake" by the city council due to its wooded surroundings.