Island-Sity

In 2000 the island was moored along a Prairie Lake boat landing, secured by cables attached to trees on land; but a few weeks ago those broke free, sending the island about a quarter mile down the river.

“Our game plan today was we got 1500 feet of cable, which is enough to run three lines across it and then we have three hi beams, and we're gonna try and pull it over closer to Veterans Park and secure it there permanently, again,” Kruse explains.

But before crews got to the heavy work Monday, volunteers helped clear the island of all its trees, which in the past acted as a sail putting stress on the cables. But clearing trees wasn't exactly easy work, that island is like a bog and if you're not careful you can fall through.

“It is dangerous out there, without a doubt. When you're working you're doing two things at once and there's weak spots out there, I was very careful and while I was cutting I was wearing waterproof hunting boots and I went in up to my ankle,” Town of Stanley supervisor John Nielsen says.

Both men say the island is a liability, and hope these moorings being attached Monday, work for good.

Nielsen tells us the estimated cost for this island tow job is about $6500, and that's being split between the Town of Stanley and the Town of Prairie Lake; though neither town wants to take full ownership of the island because of all the risks it poses.