Rick and Cindy Burdick and Bryan and Ginny Burney decided to build a water ski lake in the early 1990's.  A long search scrounging for land led to the current site  of 72 acres which was purchased in the spring of 1995.  Burdick's and Burney's formed Shortline Incorporated which was the developer for Hawthorn Lake.

The summer of 1995 was the design phase.  There was a natural valley at the east end of the lake which formed the headwaters of Crittenden Creek.  The west end of the lake was excavated and the clay used to construct the dam at the outflow of the creek.  The lake is approximately 15 acres.  The deepest area is about 10 feet, just in front of the dam.  A five acre wetlands with walking trails, also owned by the Hawthorn Lake Association is just off the east end of the lake.  The wetlands serve as a filter for water inflow to the lake, mitigate flooding, and also mitigate wetlands disturbed along the shores of Crittenden creek during construction.

 The lake and dam were constructed in 10 days in October 1995 by Steve Cooper of Cooper Excavating Inc.  The engineers were Jeff Banning and Jeff Healey of Banning Engineering.

 The roads were roughed in during 1996.  The slalom course and ski jump were placed in 1996 after the initial course installed on dry land before the lake filled was pulled out by ice.  The ice formed in the lake bottom, which was only partially filled.  A heavy spring rain with a rapid thaw of snow cover resulted in the ice floating almost overnight.  The anchors had ropes which were encompassed in the ice, which pulled out all the steel ground anchors.  Many hours were spent in the spring of 1996 finding all of the anchors which were scattered about the lake with long ropes attached.  The slalom and jump courses are now record capability with state of the art electronic scoring and video jump systems.

 11 lots of at least 2 acres each were platted and listed for sale.  Dr. Mike Kramer purchased the first lot (8) in 1997.  After several more lots were purchased, the Hawthorn Lake Homeowners Association was incorporated.  The lake, private roads and common areas were transferred from Shortline Inc. to the Homeowners association in 1997.  The Hawthorn Lake Ski Club was formed at the same time.  Lots 1,2,5 and 11 remain for sale.

 Covenants and the homeowners association bylaws protect and preserve the rights of lot owners at Hawthorn Lake to use the lake for waterskiing above all other purposes in perpetuity. 

Submitted by Bryan Burney