Navigation On The Iowa Great Lakes

Posted Monday, July 6, 2009, at 11:23 AM

Boaters Maps are avilable for West Okoboji, East Okoboji & the Lower Lakes, and Spirit Lake

For many years, boaters on the Iowa Great Lakes had to make do with car maps or large wall maps to navigate our lakes. Fishing and SCUBA maps exist, but are focused on that particular activity. In the 1970's Earl Rose of the Iowa Conservation Commission drew contour maps for each lake in the Iowa Great Lakes chain. The many depth contour lines on these black and white maps made them hard to read.

This winter three-lake protective associations and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) embarked on a plan for a better "Boaters Map" catering to the needs of the boater. These new 3D color maps feature the locations of marinas, gas docks, hazard buoys, and the names of lake points and bays.

There is one map for East Okoboji and the lower lakes, a second for West Okoboji, and a third for Big Spirit Lake. On the back, is Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) information with a map of car wash locations that have a high-pressure hose and tall doors for cleaning boats.

Internet users can find the Boaters Maps at the Water Safety Council website www.watersafetycouncil.org - Click on Boating Information. Each map is in a PDF file format that can be accessed from the webpage and printed. The Okoboji maps are 8.5 X 14" to hold all of the required information. The Spirit Lake map is designed for 8.5 X 11" paper.

The Okoboji Protective Association, Spirit Lake Protective Association, and the East Okoboji Lakes Improvement Corporation and the DNR are providing funding to print 5,000 copies of each lake. The Boaters Maps can be found at boat ramps, marinas, resorts, DNR Fish Hatchery, Welcome Center, Spirit Lake Mainsail, and will be used by our Aquatic Invasive Species boat ramp volunteers.

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Phil Petersen

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Phil is a native of Spencer and spent his youthful summers exploring boating and swimming on the Okoboji Lakes. With lifelong ties to the Iowa Great Lakes, Petersen's volunteer work in water quality and water safety issues is an extension of his love for the area. An electronic technology degree from Iowa State University led Petersen to Chicago and Motorola Communications, where he spent 38 years in management and directorship positions. All the while, Peterson maintaining his connection with the lakes through summer sojourns. Petersen is a board member of the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council, Okoboji Protective Association, Friends of Lakeside Laboratories, Okoboji Yacht Club, and the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association. He is also a Fellow of the Radio Club of America. Phil and his wife live in Okoboji.

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