Robert Mathieson (the First Settler of Manhattan Beach) and the Spirit Lake Massacre

(Fall 1856 - March 1857)

In July 1856, Rowland Gardner Sr. of New Haven, Connecticut, settled in Okoboji with his wife, Frances, and their four children (Mary, Eliza, Abigail, and Rowland Jr.) Many claim seekers visited the lakes region before the Gardners, but no official claims had yet been staked out. Thus, Gardner and his son-in-law Harvey Luce were the first settlers to establish claims on Lake Okoboji–a “promised land” of natural beauty, abundant fish, wild game, large groves, and sand beaches. They surveyed the entire lakes area and its surrounding prairies but ultimately decided to construct grand cabins on the southeastern shore of West Lake Okoboji, close to (what is now known as) Pillsbury’s Point. By November 1, 1856, at least six other groups of people settled after the Gardners and Luces–all within a six-mile radius of the Gardner cabin.

The first family to settle after the Gardners were the Mattocks of Delaware County, Iowa. The Mattocks brought with them an 18-year-old young man named Robert Mathieson (frequently misspelled 'Madison'.) Robert was the only member of the Mathieson family who spent Winter 1856 in Okoboji. The rest planned to join Robert in Spring 1857 after he constructed suitable accommodations for them.

The Mattocks settled at the south end of the Okoboji Bridge (about one mile from the Gardner cabin.) Robert Mathieson, however, claimed the large grove along the western shores of West Lake Okoboji. Although this area is now known as Manhattan Beach, these shores were known for many years as “Madison Grove.”

After several years of growing tension and (minor) violent conflicts between the settlers and the Wahpekute tribe of the Santee Sioux (led by 55-year-old renegade chief Inkpaduta), the Wahpekute massacred nearly all of the Okoboji settlers in early March 1857. It was a particularly harsh winter and resources were low for both the Wahpekute and settlers alike; starvation and death was imminent. Thus, the tribe first attacked the Mattock cabin and killed everyone inside, including Robert Mathieson. The first U.S. troops to arrive in Okoboji after the massacre documented that the Mattock Cabin and its occupants were the only group to put up a resisting fight against the Wahpekute’s slaughter.

Shortly after attacking the Mattock cabin, the Wahpekute went to the Gardners' cabin. They demanded all of the Gardners' flour–only to immediately shoot Rowland Sr. from behind as he went to retrieve it. The tribe then viciously and relentlessly killed everyone in the cabin (including the youngest children), sparing only 13-year-old Abigail (Abbie) Gardner–possibly due to her exotic light-colored hair and blue eyes.

By the end of the Spirit Lake Massacre, the Wahpekute tribe killed at least 36 Okoboji settlers. They held Abbie Gardner and three other women (Thatcher, Noble, and Marble) as prisoners for several months. The Wahpekute killed Thatcher for being ill and unable to keep up with the intense slave labor. Inkpaduta’s son, Roaring Cloud, clubbed Noble to death for refusing to exit a tipi. The tribe traded Marble (unknowingly to her eventual freedom) for various goods. And finally, approximately three months after the massacre, Abbie Gardner was also ransomed for two horses, two kegs of powder, 12 blankets, 20 pounds of tobacco, 32 yards of blue cloth, 37.5 yards of calico and ribbon, and other miscellaneous articles. Her obedience, stoicism, perseverance, and baking skills (in addition to her appearance) mystified the Wahpekute and saved her life. Nevertheless, on May 30, 1857, she finally returned to freedom.

By 1862, the Sioux’s string of massacres reached a slow yet bloody end in Minnesota.

In 1885, Abbie Gardner published a short memoir of the massacre and her captivity–which became a very popular seller. Six years later, in 1891, she returned to Okoboji for the first time and bought her family’s cabin. The state erected a monument close to the Gardner cabin to honor the massacred settlers in 1895. Gardner operated the cabin as a tourist site until she died in 1921.

The Sioux Negotiating the Release of Abbie Gardner

Abbie Gardner, Robert Mathieson, and Inkpaduta

Artistic Depictions of the Spirit Lake Massacre

The Gardner Cabin

The Spirit Lake Massacre Monument

David B. Lyons of Des Moines, IA

Original Manhattan Beach Plat Documents

19th-Century Manhattan Beach

The Manhattan and the Ben Lennox

One of the oldest photographs of Manhattan Beach, featuring its swimmers. The sign behind them reads "Manhattan Beach Lake Shore Lots for Sale $300."

David B. Lyons and the Manhattan Beach Company

(January 1892 - 1899)

In 1892, some of “the leading men of brains, money, and energy in Des Moines” formed a joint-stock company called the Manhattan Beach Company:

• David B. Lyons, renowned philanthropist and businessman of the Central Loan and Trust Company

• F. S. Treat, businessman of the Central Loan and Trust Company

• W. F. Stotts, President of the Stotts Investment Company

• O. H. Perkins, one of the leading capitalists of Des Moines

• Bowen & Regur and M. McFarlin, grain dealers

The Manhattan Beach Company purchased 1.5 miles of lakeshore on the western side of West Lake Okoboji–encompassing Gould’s Point and Madison Grove. The investors renamed the stretch simply “Manhattan Beach.” They allotted $50,000 to construct the historic Manhattan Hotel, which stretched approximately 180 feet long by 50 feet wide over the beach’s sandbar point–only feet from the clear waters of West Lake Okoboji. The hotel’s first-class amenities included a dancing pavilion with a two-story bandstand, a cafe, housing and offices for property managers, 32 dressing rooms for bathers (swimmers), a toboggan slide, tennis courts, and even a bowling alley.

The Manhattan Beach Company also platted around 100 lakeside cabin lots which were 60 feet wide by 200-300 feet deep. By August 1, 1892, the lots were valued at $250 to $1000 each and ready for sale. This offering was the first of its kind and big news for travelers who wanted to build their family cabins on prime Okoboji real estate. The investors also saw these lots as a great opportunity for quick profits and a way to establish steady cash flows from the resort’s new neighbors. However, interest was severely limited since the only way to reach the resort was by sailboat or steamboat. As a result, only about a dozen cabin lots were sold by 1899.

By 1893, the Manhattan Beach Company purchased the old 80 ft steamboat Ben Lennox, which had roughly the same passenger capacity as the Queen. They overhauled it to be a first-class steamer and promptly renamed it the Manhattan. The Manhattan brought guests to the resort from the Arnolds Park railroad station free of charge. The steamer was also used for excursions every Wednesday and Sunday featuring brass bands that played live music. Unfortunately, since the Manhattan was unreliable, rotted, and poorly maintained, it took its final voyage in 1899. However, Manhattan’s failed steamboats were only the tip of a very problematic iceberg.

By 1898, D.B. Lyons sold out of the resort due to financial disputes and unfulfilled liabilities from the Manhattan Beach Company. Additionally, the resort wasn’t generating enough profits and didn’t sell enough house lots. Thus, to satisfy growing debts, creditors forced the resort into a sheriff’s sale for $40,000–the largest deal in county history.

In 1899, the Manhattan Hotel went bankrupt.

One of the oldest photographs of Manhattan Beach, featuring its swimmers. The sign behind them reads "Manhattan Beach Lake Shore Lots for Sale $300."

David B. Lyons of Des Moines, IA

Original Manhattan Beach Plat Documents

19th-Century Manhattan Beach

Ben Lennox and the Manhattan

Joseph I. Myerly of Des Moines, IA (1856 - 1939)

Myerly's Revamped Manhattan

Myerly Purchases Manhattan and Discusses Plans

Joseph I. Myerly Revitalizes the Manhattan Hotel

(October 1900 - September 1911)

The Manhattan Hotel was essentially deserted after its bankruptcy in 1899.

In October 1900, Joseph I. Myerly of Des Moines (a lawyer and postmaster) formed the Manhattan Hotel and Land Company. Joseph and two of his sons were the primary incorporators. The company purchased the property with plans of renovating the hotel and building several house lots closer to the hotel. Myerly hired Will A. Brown of Leon, Iowa as manager and his wife as hostess for many successful summers at the resort.

In 1902, Myerly doubled the hotel’s capacity with 14 new bedrooms. He also added a new 40 ft x 90 ft dancing pavilion (with space for an orchestra) and wide porches surrounding the entire building. In her obituary, Joseph's daughter Josephine recalled seeing Fred Astaire and his sister Adele practicing their dance steps at the Manhattan Hotel.

By 1903, the hotel had accommodations for 250 guests, a new billiard hall, and a 300 ft long patio with a beautiful, panoramic view of West Lake Okoboji. There were also considerable improvements to the resort’s grounds, beach, boat landings, and a newly installed electric lighting plant.

For the 1905 and 1906 seasons, D.B. Fleming and Horace Birdsall of the Savery Hotel Company of Des Moines leased out the Manhattan Hotel. This arrangement lasted for only two summer seasons since Birdsall unfortunately died of a heart attack in August 1905.

For over a decade, Myerly relied heavily on the “certainty” that there would be a rail line built along the west side of the lake. This rail line would bring travelers directly to Manhattan—eliminating the need for steamers or sailboats. However, this line was never built. Myerly was forced to eventually cut his losses and sell the Manhattan Hotel in 1911.

Myerly's Revamped Manhattan

The Okoboji (previously the Manhattan) arrives at the Old Hotel.

The Okoboji (a flagship steamer built from the Manhattan's machinery)

arrives at the old Manhattan Beach Hotel.

‹

Rare Postcard Photographs of the Old Hotel

Life at Old Manhattan

Old Manhattan Hotel Advertisements

World War I Era Manhattan Dance Parties

Owners of the Manhattan Beach Hotel

(September 1911 - April 1933)

George T. Harker and Bert Stoddard of Spirit Lake: September 1911 - December 1911

• In 1911, Harker and Stoddard traded over 1,100 acres of land in Kossuth and Clay County for the Manhattan Hotel and Land Company's assets.

• The agreement was based on a trade amount of $45,000 and included the hotel, its attached buildings, five cottages, and four acres of land.

• Harker initially planned to self-manage the hotel for the upcoming season. However, only three months later, Harker and Stoddard "disposed" of the hotel—thereby essentially serving only as real estate agents between Manhattan Hotel owners.

F. W. Converse of Estherville: December 1911 - April 1913

• Converse (president of the Iowa Savings Bank) traded $10,000 and 1017 acres of improved land in Eddy County, North Dakota for the Manhattan Hotel.

• By Summer 1912, he made general hotel improvements and leased it to a group from Spencer for the season.

• However, before Summer 1913, Converse traded the Manhattan property for a "very fine" 25-acre orange grove in California.

J. H. Waters of Salt Lake City: April 1913 - August 1915

• Waters, a "pleasant and thorough hotel man", spent his winters in Utah but returned to Okoboji in the summers to manage the hotel.

• For Summer 1915, Waters made considerable improvements and renovations the Manhattan Hotel. He redesigned the dancing, dining, amusement, and (newly enlarged) refreshment rooms. He also installed a special children's playground with a merry-go-round, sand slides, swings, and more.

• The old hotel was an exciting and lively place again. The Manhattan's dancing pavilion featured popular weekly dance parties. Dancing instructors gave lessons and exhibitions. A talented soloist performer with 22 costumes accompanied John Valentine Eppel's enlarged orchestra—who interestingly performed the famous "Missouri Waltz" (one of President Truman's favorites) for the first time at the Manhattan Hotel several years prior.

• Unfortunately, in late June 1915, Waters underwent a severe surgery at the Milford hospital due to a life-threatening issue. He recovered from the surgery but soon after sold the Manhattan Hotel—possibly to settle various debts.

A. J. “Andy” Harkins of Des Moines: August 1915 - September 1919

• In 1916, Harkins personally managed the hotel and made extensive improvements—including new rowboats and large passenger-loading boat docks.

• In January 1919, a Manhattan Hotel employee sued Harkins because he got in a car accident on the way to the hotel. Furthermore, the roads around the lake and the hotel were in generally poor condition, so Manhattan was closed for the Summer 1919.

• By June 14, 1919, Harkins listed the Manhattan Hotel for sale.

E. Lustfield, G. W. Harris, W. Cain, and Temple of Paulina: September 1919 - September 1929

• In March 1920, a group of Paullina bankers and businessmen purchased the resort for $18,000.

• By 1926, the roads leading to the Manhattan Hotel were finally graded and graveled.

• Ownership during this era is very unclear. Harris sold out by 1925. Lustfield last visited the Manhattan Hotel in 1927. The Hotel changed ownership somewhere between 1927 and 1931. Management changed at least twice (in 1926 and 1930.)

• An article from The News Herald of Spencer, IA on April 10, 1930 claimed that Hobart A. Ross bought Manhattan Beach from W. H. Hospers of Orange City (who worked as the receiver for the Bank of Paullina, Iowa).

• In the 1930 Census, Manhattan Beach had 539 people, 43 boats, and 121 cars. The only place with more residents than Manhattan Beach was Arnolds Park.

H. Ross of Des Moines: September 1929 - April 1930

C. W. Council of Pilot Mound: April 1930 - ?

• Council might've worked with all three of the following "owners". Unfortunately, there is not much information about his period of ownership.

R. O. Robinson of Spencer: June 1931 - 1932

• Robinson (a cafe owner) redecorated, repainted, and reroofed the hotel. He hired professional chefs for the hotel's dining, tea, and confectionary rooms. He also renovated the Manhattan Hotel's dance hall room.

Growe Riffle and Ray McNulty of Sioux City: 1932 - December 1932

• Throughout the Manhattan Hotel's final summer, Riffle and McNulty (experienced night club proprietors) advertised it as a night club with high quality private dining option.

• Unfortunately, the ease of automobiles and increased Iowa Great Lakes tourism worked against—rather than in favor of—the Manhattan Hotel. Hundreds of summer cottages were built around the roads of West Lake Okoboji. The nightly dances at Arnold's Park drew crowds away from the formerly glamorous Manhattan.

• The final attempt to draw visitors to Manhattan was ultimately unsuccessful and the hotel could not escape the inevitable fate it was evading for many years.

Rare Postcard Photographs of the Old Hotel

Life at Old Manhattan

Old Manhattan Beach Advertisements

An Illustration of the Old Hotel from the

1906 Lake Region Blue Book

Hobart A. Ross Rebuilds Manhattan

(April 1933 - September 1948)

• Hobart Ross, who later went on to build Vacation Village (now Village West), dismantled the 40-year-old red-roofed hotel and used its lumber to construct a colony of at least 25 new cottages for Summer 1933. Each cottage had a fireplace, a wide porch, several windows, and a lake view.

• Ross made many other improvements to the resort, including a new shuffleboard court, blacktop roads, flower gardens, and a children’s playground where the bowling alley once stood.

• Historians remember and respect Ross for taking on such a drastic project during the peak of the Great Depression. He provided desperately needed jobs to boost the local economy and save one of the most important historic locations in the Okoboji lakes region.

• Although the 40 year-old Manhattan Hotel was losing its popularity and modernity by the early 1930s, the hotel was confronted by another unavoidable obstacle: state regulation. In July 1932, the Iowa Board of Conservation began a new program to clear obstructions from Iowa lakeshores. Residential boat houses were permitted but the majority of commercial lakeside buildings faced mandatory removal. A specific removal date was not documented but the Manhattan Hotel was in violation of state law—yet another star-crossed (and commonly unknown) reason for its demise.

• By April 1933, West Okoboji split and the city of Wahpeton was formed.

Summer Days at Ross's Manhattan

The Old Hotel is Torn Down in 1933

Ross's Manhattan Cottages

The Old Hotel is Torn Down in 1933

Ross's Manhattan Cottages

Kamp's Manhattan (September 1948 - February 1957)

Evans's Manhattan (February 1957 - June 1975)

Fedora's Manhattan (June 1975 - March 1984)

Previous Owners of Manhattan Beach Resort

(September 1948 - March 1984)

Nic W. and Josephine Kamp of Rock Rapids (September 1948 - February 1957):

• In 1948, the Kamps purchased Manhattan Beach Resort, which included 40 furnished cottages, resort equipment, and the 1,200 ft sand beach. The Kamps increased the size of the resort by also purchasing the adjoining lots from the Myerly Estate.

• The Kamps operated the resort with their four kids: Mary Jo, Tom, Susie, and John.

• By the time the Kamps sold the resort in 1957, they constructed two additional cottages for a total of 42.

• The official sales price was never disclosed but the sale was recognized as one of the largest real estate deals in Iowa Great Lakes history.

Chick and Lucile Evans of Sioux Rapids: (February 1957 - June 1975)

• Although Chick Evans and his wife Lucile were the primary owners and managers of Manhattan Beach, there were other investors as well (R. Cleveland, R. J. Mattice, L. Henry, V. Schuelke, W. Kracht)–mostly from Sioux Rapids.

• During their period of ownership, Evans added a trailer park (with 21 spots) and a new beachside hotel (with 20 mostly two-bedroom units) to the resort.

Dick and Linda Fedora of Saint Paul: (June 1975 - March 1984)

• Dick Fedora and his brother-in-law, Gary Place, first purchased the resort together in 1975.

• Dick and his wife Linda managed it together for nine years and sold the resort to its current owners in 1984.

Kamp's Manhattan (September 1948 - February 1957)

Evans's Manhattan (February 1957 - June 1975)

Fedora's Manhattan (June 1975 - March 1984)

August 16, 1969: Newlyweds Donald R. Fisk, M.D. and Sandra Ott-Fisk spend three days of their honeymoon at Manhattan Beach Resort.

September 18, 1972: Mary Ovrum (a newspaper correspondent from Ottumwa, Iowa) shares the humorous reason why her family referred to Manhattan Beach Resort as "Chicken Lucile's" after eight years of summer vacations.

Manhattan Beach Resort Today

Interesting Newspaper Ads and Articles

Current Owners of Manhattan Beach Resort

(March 1984 - Present)

Chuck and Denise Long of Sioux City: (March 1984 - Present)

• Chuck Long and Jon Winkel (his primary business partner at Long Lines Ltd. and MCI for many years) purchased Manhattan Beach Resort in 1984. Long purchased the resort during his extensive renovation of the Okoboji area, which included Arnolds Park and numerous other resorts.

• Since there were already many reservations booked for Summer 1984, Long had to run the resort as-is for his first upcoming season.

• By the end of a rather chaotic summer, Long discovered how passionate and tight-knit the Manhattan Beach guests were and how much charm the resort had. Thus, he decided to rebuild the resort to a new glory just after Labor Day Weekend 1984 drew to an end.

• Long redesigned and replatted the entire resort, specifically keeping in mind the protection and preservation of the sacred oak trees that had lived there for decades–or even centuries–before 1984. Protection efforts went as far as wrapping the trees with mattresses and strategically preventing root damage from weight or digging during reconstruction.

• The old cottages were leaky and in poor condition, so they needed replacement. The “F Row” units close to the beach’s south-facing shores were particularly troublesome, so they were not rebuilt. The hotel (now referred to as the ‘Shores Building’) received interior renovations, new windows, and heater/air conditioning units installed.

• By 1985, the resort was fully functional and featured its own convention center, tennis courts, grocery store, restaurant, bar, laundromat, towel exchange, and more.

• In the 2000s, Manhattan Beach Resort slowly transitioned from daily/weekly rentals to seasonal rentals.

• For about 25 years, the resort featured cedar shingles and siding. However, since oak sap easily rots cedar panels, Manhattan Beach Resort updated its exteriors to corrugated metal in the 2010s.

• By the 2010s, Long recognized the greatest demand was for annual rentals, which is now the primary offering at Manhattan Beach Resort today.

Affordable, family-operated resorts are nearly extinct in the Iowa Great Lakes region. The unique value proposition of Manhattan Beach Resort cannot be understated. There is significant demand to join our beloved resort, which is managed by a waitlist that grows every year.

Manhattan Beach Resort Today

Interesting Newspaper Ads and Articles

Floods, Fishing, and Friends at Manhattan

Manhattan Beach(less) Resort

Dock and Hoist Damage

Okoboji Flooding 2024

(June 2024 - July 2024)

Manhattan Beach Resort Perseveres Despite Extensive Damage

• The resort lost several units in 2024 due to flooding—displacing many of our summer guests until Summer 2025 to make necessary repairs. Nearly all of Manhattan Beach was underwater. The docks were torn apart with pieces floating across the lake. All of the resort guests' boats would not return to the lake for the rest of the summer.

• However, despite these challenges, our Manhattan Beach Resort guests made the most the situation. After joining together to sandbag our beloved beach, everyone enjoyed quality time with friends, family, and the Manhattan Beach community. The 2024 season was a wonderful summer with lots of fishing, bonfires, fireworks, potlucks, "ghosts in the graveyard" with the resort kids, and so much more!

The Second Worst Flood in Okoboji History

• Throughout the first half of Summer 2024, the Iowa Great Lakes experienced ceaseless, heavy rainfall. As the water level continuously rose (as much as 15 inches overnight), strong, alternating winds battered Okoboji's shores and brought forth mass destruction.

• Local homes, businesses, and infrastructure experienced significant damage due to flooding—on and off the lake. At least 75 lakefront properties experienced devastating, hazardous bank collapses.

• Virtually all boats (including those destroyed) were pulled from the lake as marinas and storage facilities ran out of space—forcing many people to leave Okoboji for the season prematurely.

• Lake service companies (including Danbom and Clary) worked around the clock to salvage, repair, and rebuild all of Okoboji's docks and hoists—only weeks after completing the bulk of Summer 2024's installation.

• Overwhelmed lift stations diverted untreated sewage into various parts of West Lake Okoboji (to minimize health risks from overflowing into residential basements and bathrooms). As a result, from June 17 to July 18, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) strongly advised a no-swimming policy to prevent the risk of E. coli infection(s).

• To protect the shorelines from further damage, the Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission mandated a 5-mph speed limit on all of the Iowa Great Lakes, which lasted from June 17 to July 20—the most essential part of the summer season.

The Root Cause of Okoboji Flooding

• On June 29, the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors and Emergency Management Commission held an emergency joint meeting to discuss short-term and long-term solutions to Okoboji's flooding.

• Officials noted that heavy rainfall and urbanization-caused runoff obviously contribute to the flooding. However, they concluded that the root cause is actually insufficient drainage, largely due to the culverts on 230th Avenue—a bridged road that essentially serves as a dam between Lower Gar Lake and the Milford Creek.

• The dam was built in the 1890s but was upgraded in the 1930s to a road when water levels were dangerously low. This meant-to-be temporary road survived past the 1930s, and reconstruction attempts to boost its outflow (1971, 1997, and 2011) were unsuccessful.

• Since the 1993 flood disaster in Okoboji, the 230th Avenue culverts have been a frequent topic of discussion. In 1997, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommended replacing the culverts with a bridge. A recent $150,000 study through the University of Iowa, headed by Dr. Larry Weber (director of the university’s hydroscience and engineering department) drew the same conclusion.

• However, due to a trivial op-ed article discussing the culverts' role in Okoboji flooding, the June 29 meeting was substantially elongated by misguided emotional testimonies—despite Dickinson County's expressed goal of finding a cooperative, communal solution.

• Various industry experts noted that even if the culverts were demolished that day (which was never considered), additional flooding damage would be extraordinarily unlikely. The maximum possible increase in water level from a complete breach would be 2-4" (the water level had already decreased by 15-17").

• Nevertheless, by the end of the meeting, Dickinson County formed a task force committee to develop short-term and long-term plans. By the end of Summer 2024, no official plans have been announced.

• Plans have still not yet been announced by October 14, 2024.

The Impact on Okoboji's Economy

• The Iowa Great Lakes are largely supported by summer tourism—bringing in approximately $300 million annually. On average, 40,000 to 60,000 people visit Okoboji on any given weekend.

• Due to the 2024 flooding, Okoboji tourism was reduced by an estimated 40-60%—a devastating impact on our economy and residents.

• Local experts estimate that the 2024 Okoboji flood caused tens of millions of dollar in damages.

Okoboji Flooding 2024

(June 2024 - July 2024)

Manhattan Beach Resort Perseveres Despite Extensive Damage

The Second Worst Flood in Okoboji History

• Virtually all boats (including those destroyed) were pulled from the lake as marinas and storage facilities ran out of space—forcing many people to leave Okoboji for the season prematurely.

The Root Cause of Lake Okoboji's Flooding

• On June 29, the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors and Emergency Management Commission held an emergency joint meeting to discuss short-term and long-term solutions to Okoboji's flooding.

• However, due to a trivial op-ed article discussing the culverts' role in Okoboji flooding, a vocal group of attendees from Spencer, IA, commandeered and substantially elongated the June 29 meeting—despite Dickinson County's expressed goal of finding a cooperative, communal solution. Various industry experts noted that even if the culverts were demolished that day (which was never considered), additional flooding damage would be extraordinarily unlikely. The maximum possible increase in water level from a complete breach would be 2-4" (the water level had already decreased by 15-17").

The Impact on Okoboji's Economy

• The Iowa Great Lakes are largely supported by summer tourism—bringing in approximately $300 million annually. On average, 40,000 to 60,000 people visit Okoboji on any given weekend.

• Due to the 2024 flooding, Okoboji tourism was reduced by an estimated 40-60%—a devastating impact on our economy and residents.

• Local experts estimate that the 2024 Okoboji flood caused tens of millions of dollar in damages.