Boat U.S. - September 2008 - (Page 65)

He reaches into the cabin for a letter written in May by Friends of Lake Sakakawea Chairman Terry Fleck, and sent to Missouri newspapers. Friendly Advice “The river should be used to support people One issue at the top and communities, not to of the Friends’ list for keep the state of Missouri’s years now, Butcher says decaying barge indusas he turns Jolly Tar into try afloat for six to eight Sakakawea Bay, is the fedmonths of the year,” part of the letter reads. “North Dakota and Montana have been battered by nearly eight years of drought,” the letter goes on. “Water intakes for entire communities went dry, forcing people to haul water yet they’ve been wasting it downstream to float a handful of utcher at the helm of Jolly Tar. barges.” While Bill eral policy to release water Butcher admits that had he been around in the from the lake to support 1940s he would have been downstream navigation, principally barge operations opposed to the governfrom Sioux City, IA to St. ment’s plan to dam the Louis, where it joins the Missouri and create Lake Mississippi River. Sakakawea but what’s done public agencies to improve lake infrastructure, and not just launching ramps but roads, drinking water and camping facilities as well. is done and the lake should be managed for maximum benefit today. “Recreation was an afterthought back then but today it’s taken over as a major part of our economy,” he says. “And recreation still has huge potential here while barge traffic downstream has little to none.” Butcher rounds the boat up into a small cove, one that likely will disappear as the lake rises, and drops anchor. Intense quiet envelops the cove until a noise, something between a croak and a crowing sound, comes from the tall grass on shore. A ring-necked pheasant, Butcher explains and then, as if on cue, a western meadowlark, the state bird, kisses the twilight with its signature song. Another meadowlark answers from across the cove. Overhead the sky turns to reds, to pinks, to… colors you thought only came on canvas and in a frame. The long North Dakota summer day is over. But for Lake Sakakawea, it seems, a new day is rising. — By Ryck Lydecker BoatU.S. Magazine September 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - September 2008

Boat U.S. - September 2008 Contents Behind The Buoy BoatU.S. Reports Member Forum List Locker Aluminum Can Do Cruising in Crossovers Second Guessing Seasonal Forecasts A Cradle for Your Baby Badlands Boating The Inns and Outs of Penobscot Bay All in the Family: The Butler Did It Stealing Back Peace of Mind DIY Boat Owner Files Good Foundations Boat Smart 2nd Time Around Hot Tips Tangled Line Seaworthy Ask Chuck At Your Service BoatU.S. Exchange Behind the Boat Where Our Flags Fly

Boat U.S. - September 2008

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