1930	La Farge dam proposed as method of controlling flooding.
1935	Devastating flood on the Kickapoo River hit La Farge and areas along the river. Kickapoo Valley Railroad suffers extensive damage. Representatives from La Farge go to Washington, D.C. to appeal to Congress for help with flood control.
1936	Congress passes Flood Control Act, authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to study Kickapoo River flooding problems.
1937	Public Hearing held in La Farge on flood control by the Corps.
1938	Corps proposes dam north of La Farge for flood control.
1951	Kickapoo flood ravages valley, 10 killed in the area.
1961	Major flooding occurs again in Kickapoo Valley. Governor Nelson, Senator Wiley call for more efforts for flood control in valley.
1962	Congress authorizes Corps to build flood control dam at La Farge, 400-800 acre reservoir planned, plan supported by Governor Nelson.
1963-65	Corps conducts studies of project, expands scope to include recreational and economic benefits for valley, i.e., a lake.
1967	Corps unveils new plan calling for 1,780-acre lake with additional recreational areas and hydroelectric production potential at cost of $20 million.
1969	Corps begins acquisition of over 9,000 acres of land with compensation of landowners at fair market value. A total of 149 farms were purchased--many residents were unwilling sellers.
1970	Federal Environmental Protection Act is passed requiring that the Corps prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for project. Concerns raised about water quality and endangered plant species. Senator Proxmire says one-third of land acquisitions have been completed.
1971	Sierra Club files suit to stop project on environmental concerns; Judge Doyle rejects suit in federal court. Club appeals decision. Ground breaking ceremony for construction of the dam is held. "Citizens for the Kickapoo" group started to support project. Construction on project continues for next three years, dam and roads are constructed, land is acquired, people are moved off their land.
1974	Sierra Club drops appeal in federal courts. UW study suggests possible severe water quality problems for lake. Governor Lucey states concerns about project. Project over half completed; Corps delays clearing bottomland. Senator Nelson calls for halt to entire project. EPA and Governor Lucey also call for stop to project.
1975	Over half of the dam structure is completed and the state highway from La Farge to Rockton has been relocated, but cost overruns and continued concern for environmental impacts prompts a cost-benefit evaluation for the dam. Corps forms team to study project. Governor Lucey officially withdraws support; Senator Nelson blocks funds in Congress. Residents in Valley on both sides of issue present petitions to government officials. Due to failed cost-benefit ratio test, the now projected $51.5 million project loses support of Senator Proxmire, and Corps officially stops project for further study.
1976-78	Study groups look for alternatives to lake project; dry dam for flood control was one suggested option. Former landowners who had to sell their land for project form Kickapoo Landowners United Together (KLOUT) to get their land back. All their efforts fail in courts. In 1978, major flood of Kickapoo River once again rips through valley.
1983	A final analysis was made to see if it was possible to build a smaller dam that would act as a flood control structure without the tourism benefits. This also failed the cost-benefit ratio test.
1992	Governor Thompson forms a Citizen Advisory Committee, which begins meeting on a regular basis to focus on the future of the Valley rather than dwelling on the past.
1993	A Drafting Committee prepares a proposal for the future of the dam project land: it would be a reserve in public ownership that offered opportunities for low-impact tourism with a focus on education and managed by a local board. In April, committee, local municipalities, and state agencies and organizations endorse the plan.
1993	In the summer of 1993, the members of the Drafting and Advisory Committees continue to inform the public, Ho-Chunk Nation, State Senators Kohl and Feingold, and Representative Gunderson of the proposal.
1993	State Senator Brian Rude and Representative DuWayne Johnsrud introduces state legislation on the proposal in October of 1993.
1994	State legislation passed in March of 1994.
1994	Representatives Steve Gunderson and Tom Petri draft the House bill and Senators Feingold and Kohl introduce the Senate bill for the deauthorization (transfer) of the federal land as a part of the Clean Water Act. The bill stalls in committee in the Senate on an issue unrelated to the project.
1995	Locally nominated, Governor-appointed, 9-member Kickapoo Reserve Management Board begins holding monthly meetings.
1996	Legislation is reintroduced in both houses of Congress. The final legislation is approved in September of 1996 as a portion of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA '96). Transfer of the land hinges on agreement between the State and Ho-Chunk Indian Nation for joint management of the property and designation of 1,200 acres to be held in trust for the Ho-Chunk Nation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In addition, the Corps is directed to complete safety modifications, prepare transfer documents and complete the relocation of State Highway 131 and County Highways P and F. Wisconsin Governor Thompson appoints a 5-member negotiating team on behalf of the State of Wisconsin to draft the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ho-Chunk Nation.
1997	On October 30, 1997 Governor Tommy Thompson and Ho-Chunk Nation President Jacob LoneTree sign Memorandum of Understanding which contains the terms and conditions for joint management of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
1998	Wisconsin legislation is passed adding two voting representatives of the Ho-Chunk Nation to the Kickapoo Reserve Management Board. Board enters into management lease with the Corps accepting day-to-day management responsibilities for the property. Official transfer expected in 2001-2002.
2000	At long last, the Corps prepares to turn land back over to local control via the Reserve Board. Official transfer is imminent and eventually made on December 28, 2000.
2001	Official dedication of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve happens on May 11, 2001.
2003-04	Construction of Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center.
2004	Grand Opening of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center and Exhibits October 22-23, 2004.