From June 1933 through April 1937, the CCC worked at Big Spring in cooperation with the Missouri state parks system, with boys from three separate camps, Companies 1710, 734, and 1740, carrying out a wide range of projects largely by hand and using raw materials from the area to protect natural resources and improve recreation. Their work reflected the CCC's broader efforts across the nation in parks and forests to combat soil erosion, fight forest fires, and build park facilities. At Big Spring, forestry was a high priority: Company 1710 cleared roadsides, removed downed trees, cut brush for fire prevention, and fought periodic forest fires, while Camp 734 built a fire tower in the southwestern corner of the park during its months there from November 1933 to April 1934. The CCC also built for park visitors, and between 1934 and 1936 constructed, renovated, and or relocated 20 structures in a rustic style of native stone and hand-hewn timbers, including the dining lodge, three cabins, entrance station, restrooms, picnic shelters, concession stand, and a museum. Company 1710 also began work on dikes to protect Big Spring from Current River flood waters, constructing five dikes with oak pilings and more than 6000 truck loads of rocks, primarily by hand and with the aid of an old steam pile driver, to keep the river in its channel. In addition, the CCC cleared and graveled five hiking and horseback trails that opened access to scenic parts of the park behind the spring and along the river toward Chubb Hollow.