Community looks to save vital West Lake Okoboji waterway

OKOBOJI LAKES, Iowa (KCAU) – Turtle Lake is eight acres of vital waterway into West Lake Okoboji, but over time the buildup of sediment has caused Turtle Lake to become difficult to navigate and a poor habitat for marine life.

"Turtle Lake was dredged out about 110 years ago," Save Turtle Lake committee member Tim Ireland said. "They left two islands when they originally dug it out, those islands have melted into the lake and of course, 110 years of leaves and sticks have basically filled the lake, so what we want to do is dredge it out."

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What was once a populous fishing and recreational spot, Turtle Lake has turned into a sitting pool of algae blooms. In response, a committee has stepped up to try and restore the waterway.

"In the spring, this is still a really good fishing spot but as the summer goes along the weeds get so thick in here that the water doesn't move," Ireland said. "So it gets pretty warm and it's pretty clogged. If we can dig it out, that will make the navigation better and that will make the fishing better."

With the help of the surrounding community, the Save Turtle Lake Committee already has a plan to renew the man-made canals.

"We have a company down in Florida that will bring all of their equipment up. They will dig it out to its original depth," Ireland said. "Right now it's about two to three feet, the water is down a little low, but we're planning on getting it to an area where it's about eight to ten feet."

After four years of work, the Save Turtle Lake Committee is nearing the finish line to begin dredging Turtle Lake.

"We're close to the culmination of it, hopefully, we're just looking for donations," Ireland said. "We're willing to take small donations, we're willing to take big donations. You can either make a ripple or you can make a wave."

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The Save Turtle Lake Committee has already secured more than $350,000 of their $750,000 goal. The committee hopes to reach their goal by the end of December to secure the dredging equipment and begin work in the Fall of 2025.

All contributions are tax-deductible, and pledges will only be collected if the total financial commitment is met. Those interested in contributing can send pledges to by December 20, 2024.