High water at Grand Lake slowed business this spring

Marinas, resorts, restaurants hope things are turning around

By Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller

Ask Sam Williams to describe business in the last six weeks, and he’ll sum it up into one word — devastating.

Since mid-May, Williams and other business owners around Grand Lake have watched as rising waters and storm debris kept boaters and anglers off the lake, canceling fishing tournaments and boat racing events.

Operated by the Grand River Dam Authority, the lake is subject to the flood control of the Army Corps of Engineers, which works to mitigate flooding throughout the watershed.

“Financially it’s really hurt,” Williams said of the consistent high water. “I don’t know what we’ll do, but hopefully we’ll weather through it.”

Williams is the third generation of his family to own and operate the 71-year-old Grand Lake Sports Center in downtown Grove, and he said this summer is the worst he’s seen for business in the 12 years he’s been running the store. He has already cut hours and reduced staff.

“Half of my inventory should be gone,” Williams said. “It’s just now starting to go.”

‘Unseasonably slow’

Honey Creek Outdoors in Grove has also been hurt. Brent Malone, one of the owners, called the time between Memorial Day and the end of June “unseasonably slow.”

Typically, by Memorial Day, the business moves to summer hours — open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The hours cater to anglers taking part in the various tournaments in and around Wolf Creek Park.

“We are so geared towards the anglers and fishing, and people couldn’t fish,” Malone said.

This spring, several bass tournaments were canceled, including the Nichols tournament, the Big Bass Bash, Major League Fishing and the FLW Costa Pro Tour.

“We went back and looked at the numbers,” Malone said. “We’ve had a significant loss — and until the flood started (in mid-May) we were having a record-breaking season.”

Malone said he began seeing an improvement in the economic climate as July 4 grew close. He said if his plans hold, this Sunday will be the first open Sunday for the summer.

“We think things are turning around,” Malone added. “Last week was not a normal week, but compared to what we’ve been doing it was a fantastic week.

“Unless we get flooded again, we’re at a turning point. People are coming. Grove’s opening back up, ready to kick off the grand opening week on July 4.”

Economic impact

Donnie Crain, president of the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, said the cancellation of several major events — including the FLW Costa fishing tournament, which brings in more than 100 pros, and the Southern Drag Boat Association drag races — will affect businesses throughout the region. Each event brings thousands of dollars to Grove, he said, as people eat at local restaurants and spend money at area businesses.

“Most of the area around the lake has been heavily impacted,” Crain said,

“Everyone has been feeling it, some more so than others. It will be a couple of months before we see the sales tax revenues. That will be our best true estimate of the impacts to the economy.”

Crain hopes area businesses will have a chance to make up some of the funds, as FLW officials plan to bring the Costa back to Grove in October.

“As the water comes down, we’re optimistic and hopeful that we can salvage part of the season,” Crain said. “We’re very hopeful as we see more boats out on the water. There’s a lot of pent-up demand and excitement to get out on the water. As bad as it’s been, the future is looking a whole lot brighter.”

Other effects

While Honey Creek Marina has remained open, fuel sales have been “rather anemic,” according to owner Pete Norwood.

He said people either couldn’t access their boats at other docks or were leery of taking boats out on the water because of storm debris.

But in the last week or so, Norwood has seen the lake drop and people returning.

While the Grand Lake economy has been hurt by flooding, Norwood believes the number of people traveling to the lake also has been affected by flooding statewide.

“Some of our resource cities such as Muskogee, Tulsa and Oklahoma City have also been impacted,” Norwood said. “It’s not just a matter of Grand Lake. Oklahoma is suffering as a whole.”

Kathy Hensley, general manager of Tera Miranda Resort on Monkey Island, said high water has made it tough on the business, which includes the Quarterdeck restaurant, resort and marina.

While customers have been unable, for the most part, to get to the restaurant by water, many have made a point to come by land.

“The restaurant is not at full capacity yet, and I think there’s only been one day where there was a waiting line,” Hensley said. “Numbers have been down just because we haven’t had the customers.”

She said business may be down as much as 50 percent but remains hopeful for a turnaround.

“We are positive with the water going down things are going to get better,” Hensley said. “Last weekend was a good weekend. For this year’s standards it was an awesome weekend.”

She said fuel sales have been nearly nonexistent, as the walkways to the docks are underwater and gas could not be accessed safely.

“I’m so thankful, because things could have been worse,” Hensley added. “It did not flood the restaurant, for which I’m extremely thankful. “We consider every weekend we’re open a blessing. We’ll be here the rest of the season, and welcome guests like we normally do.”

Terry Eskew, owner of The Parrot restaurant in Grove, said he’s down a solid 20 percent since May 15.

“People who normally come to hang out at the lake all week are just not here,” Eskew said.

“I think people are ready to get on the lake and have a little fun,” he added. “I don’t think it will have the impact it normally does, but it will be better than what we had so far.”

Looking ahead

As for Williams, at the Grand Lake Sport Center, he is moving full speed ahead, laying plans for the annual Grand Lake Bobber Drop set for Saturday, July 20.

The event calls for Williams to drop more than 6,000 numbered bobbers out of a moving airplane down the middle of Grand Lake in the Elk River, Honey Creek, Monkey Island and Bernice areas.

He’s jokingly compared it to an on-the-water Easter egg hunt as people search for bobbers by boat and jet ski.

The number on each bobber corresponds to a list of prizes donated by area businesses and individuals.

He remains hopeful enough prizes will be enough to make the day successful not only for his store but for the entire community.

Like many others around the lake, he is hopeful this holiday marks a turnaround for the season.

“People started moving around this (past) weekend,” Williams said Monday. “It was a big change. Hopefully we’ll see a better half of the summer.”

Corps advisory

The Little Rock office of the Army Corps of Engineers is asking visitors to its White River lakes to take extra precautions because of high water. Lakes that remain high include Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork and Greers Ferry.

Always wear a life jacket and use the boat’s kill switch. If you are on a lake that is higher than normal, slow down to watch for submerged debris. Use caution when launching because high water can make ramps tricky. Be patient if others take a little longer than normal. When boating near the shore or in coves, go slow to avoid underwater obstacles such as signposts, picnic tables, trees, stumps and other obstructions that are normally on dry ground.

A small craft advisory remains in effect on the Arkansas River until at least the end of July because of high flows. Pleasure boaters are advised to stay off the river.

This story previously appeared in The Joplin Globe. http://bit.ly/GlobeGrandFlooding1