Board Meeting Notice
The fall meeting of the Friends of Lake Sakakawea Board of Directors will take place at 9:30 am, Wednesday, September 27 at the Visitors’ Center, National Fish Hatchery, Riverdale, ND. If you plan on attending, please contact Rod Gilmore ( or 701-527-0027) so that we may have an accurate count for lunch. Presentations will include updates from the US Corps of Engineers, ND Game and Fish Department, Missouri River Joint Water Board and Board members.
The Friends of Lake Sakakawea
The Friends of Lake Sakakawea works to make North Dakota’s Great Lake by building upon the recreational, economic, and environmental opportunities of Lake Sakakawea.
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Updates & News
Corps of Engineers: Despite drought, most Lake Sakakawea boat ramps should be okay
(Source: Associated Press) — Popular boat ramps on Lake Sakakawea should remain in operation until freeze-up despite the dry conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says. The lake is about 6 feet lower than it was at this time a year ago. The Corps says it should...
As of July 1, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now reducing navigation flow support
(Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) - The Missouri River Water Management Division reduced navigation flow support on July 1 or the second half of the navigation flow support season. "We continue to monitor conditions throughout the basin and make adjustments as...
Zebra Mussel infested pontoon highlights ANS danger to Lake Sakakawea, FOLS calls for immediate state and federal action
Earlier this month a zebra mussel infested pontoon was stopped from entering Lake Audubon near Coleharbor, North Dakota. Lake Audubon is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is fed by waters from adjacent Lake Sakakawea, and is home to the Audubon National...
May 16-22 is Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Awareness Week
(Source: North Dakota Game & Fish Department) -- North Dakota has seen an increase in aquatic nuisance species in the last decade, yet the state remains in pretty good shape with the low number of waterbodies with invasive species. Even so, public awareness about...
FOLS Raises Concerns About Public and Private Lake Access in Response to Shoreline Management Plan
The Friends of Lake Sakakawea (FOLS) submitted its comments regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) update of the Lake Sakakawea Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). This update is part of a routine five-year review of the SMP. In general, the SMP provide...
Public comments sought for Lake Sakakawea Shoreline Management Plan
OMAHA, Neb. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is seeking public comment as part of the update of the Lake Sakakawea Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). This update is part of a routine five-year review of the SMP. In general, the SMP provide guidance...
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Missouri River reservoir system prepared for 2021 runoff season
(Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) -- The full flood control capacity of the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System is available for the 2021 runoff season. “All 2020 flood water stored in the annual flood control zone has been evacuated as of December 21,” said...
North Dakota Parks & Recreation reports 35% increase in campers in 2020
(Source: KX News) – According to the State Parks Director, 35 percent more campers visited North Dakota parks this season. Campgrounds and state parks also saw a record number of people coming in this year. October attendance was up 339 percent over the same time last...
Williams County boaters and anglers pushing for better access to Lake Sakakawea
(Source: Williston Daily Herald) – Jim Torgerson has been working on the same cause for more than 30 years now, and he is asking for help from the public. Torgerson, who owns Lunds Landing with his wife, has been advocating for more access to Lake Sakakawea from the...
Drought intensifies across state and region with signs pointing to continued dry conditions
(See below for sources) -- The U.S. Drought Monitor has seen an intensification of drought conditions across the northern plains in recent weeks. The Monitor's December 10th update saw modest expansion in areas of Severe Drought (D2) as well as expansion in areas of...