While people throughout the basin wait for a new draft plan, which is to be presented in May, people along Lake Sakakawea are facing the prospect of lower lake levels this year than in 2000 when the lake peaked in June at an elevation of about 1,838 feet above mean sea level. The lake currently is less than 1,829 feet. As the community and others like it along the lake attempt to develop a recreational economy the lake again tumbled in elevations, resulting in the potential for more economic struggles. Garrison lost 23 businesses in the 1980s, said Sletten, Garrison city attorney. We can't stand another hit like that.
Frustrations run high at the thought of another year of chasing water downward to find access.
Yet it won't be known until July whether or not the downstream navigation season will be shortened because of dry conditions. Currently, mountain and plains snow pack is 42 percent below normal, said Bob Keasling, hydraulics engineer with the corps Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. The corps needs to respond more quickly to drought situations, said Dick Hendrickson, Garrison Chamber of Commerce president. In addition, it needs to move more quickly to shorten navigation seasons in drought years, reduce releases from dams and adopt the new Master Manual soon. More emphasis needs to be placed on maintaining adequate access and facilities so that businesses have more stability to tap recreational opportunities if we're going to diversify our economy and make it a part of North Dakota, said Mike Rud, owner of Garrison Bay Express Amoco.