The Lake of Opportunity | Video

Alex Hagan | 7/22/2012

The lakes and rivers are popular North Dakota getaways. A family-owned resort on Lake Sakakawea is enjoying a prosperous season. But that wasn`t always the case. Dakota Waters Resort near Beulah actually closed last year. That`s when the Kimball family stepped in and pumped some new life into the marina.

During the summer months, Lake Sakakawea is flooded with fishermen and people looking to get away. For years, one resort just north of Beulah has been a favorite destination spot but previous owner issues forced it to shut down last fall. That was until one woman from Oregon came in to buy the property and open it up to the public once again.

"I basically fell in love with this whole state as soon as I got here and then when this opportunity came up, I was just like going for it, I like it, live on a lake all summer, I can do that," said Dakota Waters Resort Co-Owner Amber Kimball.

Like so many people coming to North Dakota, Kimball and her family came to the state looking for work. When they saw the empty resort, they knew this was the place to be.

"We love the water and it`s one of the most beautiful places we found and we came here and found it was for sale and just wanted to buy it," said Dakota Waters Resort Co-Owner Greg Kimball.

Amber owns half of the resort and shares it with her family. She admits buying the property was a tough decision.

"We`re completely family-owned and operated so I have my whole families support. It made me nervous at first, but it turned out really good and I`m glad I decided to do it," said Amber Kimball.

But it`s not just Amber running the show.

"My sister and my family all count on me to get the stuff that I need done," said Dakota Waters Resort maintenance man Thomas Kimball.

Owning a fisherman`s paradise is a dream come true for the Kimball family. They hope to keep it open as long as possible.

"We just feel like the luckiest people on Earth and so we`re going to do everything to make sure that it`s a success and keeps going," said Dakota Waters Resort Co-Owner Sara Kimball.

Fishermen who`ve come to the resort for many years weren`t happy when they saw it close last year.

"The corp just pulled everything and once they did that you know to have this facility not open you know it needs to be," said fisherman Mark Schmidt.

Other visitors say they can`t picture the place being closed ever again.

"I hope they`re here for my grand children my daughter everybody because if we didn`t have this place I mean what would people do," said fisherman LeRoy Kschaekofski.

And for Amber, she says the decision to come here is something she`ll never regret.

"I moved out here and basically everything turned around, I got out of debt really fast, so I was able to save up enough money to get this place and I`m happier than I`ve ever been and absolutely love it out here," said Kimball.

The Kimball family might have come to North Dakota knowing it is the land of opportunity, but they didn`t realize that opportunity would be along the banks of Lake Sacajawea.

Next weekend the resort is hosting the annual Dakota Wall-Eye Fisherman`s Classic.

Dakota Waters offers a pro shop as well as a full kitchen.

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