In a previous blog I told you about the unthinkable events that recently took place at tourist hot spot Lake Delton, Wisconsin. Earlier this month the area was deluged with several inches of rain in a 3-hour period. The rain caused flooding that broke through the banks of the 267-acre lake causing the entire lake to drain into the nearby Wisconsin River.
The video shot of the chasm that broke massive homes in half and sent them toppling into raging waters was broadcast around the world. One scene of an entire home tumbling into the water and being carried by strong currents was aired more than 100 times by a single cable news channel to illustrate the drama and devastation that resulted from the Midwest floods.
I live a couple of hours away from Lake Delton and have spent summers watching the popular water ski shows that call the lake home. Lake Delton is a major tourist spot in the state of Wisconsin. It borders Wisconsin Dells, which is known to many as the “Waterpark Capital of the World.”
Each summer tens of thousands of tourist flock to the area to get in some much needed R&R. But these days instead of being able to enjoy the tranquility that comes with vacationing on the lake carloads of gawkers are pulling into the parking lot at a small public beach on the edge of Lake Delton to witness the unimaginable—an empty lake filled with mud, bones, and years of accumulated junk.
Officials say the lake won’t be refilled until spring, which means it will be an excruciatingly long summer for business owners along the lake that specialize in fishing equipment and boat rentals. And news of a refilled lake is not much for bait and tackle shop owners to smile about because they know even after the lake is restocked with fish, it will be three to five years before they’re big enough to be eaten.
According to the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, the area hosts 3.1 million visitors a year. And those tourists spend $1.03 billion and support 23,911 jobs annually. Now that Lake Delton—-the sparkling natural centerpiece, which is surrounded by waterparks, miniature golf courses and go-cart tracks—-is gone, motel and resort owners whose properties line the shore of the now gigantic mud hole wonder if visitors who love to swim, fish and boat will soon follow.
To lure visitors to the area several motels are offering discounts on rooms. For example, the Delton Oaks Resort, a 28-room motel, is offering guests 10% off their final bill and handing out free tickets to local attractions. Likewise, the owners of Lake Delton’s Sandrift Resort are offering a 20% discount on rooms and throwing in freebies as well. To aid business owners the Visitor & Convention Bureau is unveiling a new ad campaign that stresses the area “is open for business.”
So, to all of you families who haven’t solidified your summer travel plans yet… Lake Delton is waiting.
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