IA DNR: Storm Lake Marina

October 30, 2007 Update
The Request for Proposal (RFP) has not been published yet. A couple of items will be finished in the near future. It is hoped that an RFP can be issued by mid-November.

August 27, 2007 Update
Construction Update
To date, completed projects include the removal of the island from the marina, placement of a new docking system which includes lighting and electricity, personal watercraft docking area, fishing pier, new east entrance and drive, and clean up of the peninsula. The marina repair building is currently under construction along with grading work for other projects. Other work to be completed later this year and next spring includes demolition of existing marina buildings, additional grading, construction of new marina concession building, boat ramp construction, additional dock installation, shoreline stabilization of west side and paving of marina parking lot. The Department anticipates construction to be complete by early summer 2008.
Marina Operator Recruitment
Staff is also finishing up the recruitment package for a new marina operator. It is anticipated that a request for proposal will be issued in September 2007. The request for proposal will be available on the Department's website at http://www.iowadnr.gov. Click on "Requests for Proposals" on the left side menu.
2007 Marina Hours
The state-run concession operation will be scaling back operating hours after Labor Day and will close for the 2007 season on September 16.

May/June 2007 Update

Storm Lake Marina Slip Information,*.pdf

Storm Lake Marina Slip Assignment - Updated July 10,2007,*.pdf

April 2007 Update
Summer will be upon us now that this bout of winter is over. We want to update you on the redevelopment of the Storm Lake Marina. As you know the marina will be under construction all summer but the boat ramps and parking lot will remain open and the marina slips will be available after May 15th. Currently under construction is the new sewer connection; the piers and dock slip installation; shoreline redevelopment which includes new marina electrical and water utilities, drinking fountains, roadway, parking, lighting and concrete walkways. Also occurring this summer will be the repair of the rock erosion control on the shoreline and a cleanup of the forested areas.

When completed there will be 84 fixed dock slips, each slip having a dedicated 20 amp electrical outlet for hoist power and general power needs. The electrical outlets provided are not to be used as "shore power" and are not design as such. Eight slips will be handicapped accessible with wider docks and catwalks. Last year there were approximately 60 slip renters with another 15 on a waiting list, so there should be enough slips for everyone. The rental rates have yet to be determined as they will be dependent upon whether the marina is operated by the DNR or a temporary private operator. Rates for this season (during construction) will not be any higher than what was charged last season.

Regardless of who operates the marina, dock slip locations need to be assigned. Enclosed is a diagram of the new dock systems with all of the slips numbered. For those of you wishing to rent slips this season, please send your first, second and third choice of slip location to Sandra Sampson, Wallace State Office Bldg, Des Moines, IA 50319 or email her at sandra.sampson@dnr.state.ia.us by May 1, 2007. The outside slips 25/26, 57/58, 83/84 are reserved for longer boats, pontoons or sailboats. Multiple requests for the same slip will be put into a box and will be randomly drawn to assign the slip. Preference will be given to slip renters from the last rental season. If you are requesting a handicapped accessible slip, please provide your ADA parking permit tag or ADA license plate number. The ADA slips are numbers are 1 - 4 and 59 - 62.

It was hoped that all the work in Phase 1 would be done by Memorial Day weekend but that will not be the case due to site restrictions and weather. The dock slip installation is scheduled to be completed by May 15th. The new electrical outlets, sidewalk, roadway, and parking area along the marina, in front of the dock slips, will not be completed until June 27th. Pedestrian access may be inconvenient but will be provided through the construction. Parking will be available at the previous boat ramp parking lot. Construction on the new marina services buildings will occur throughout the summer and fall but should not inconvenience marina users greatly as the new buildings are in different locations than the existing buildings.

A solicitation was issued for a one-year operator of the marina, requiring the minimum services of dock rental and gas service. There were no respondents. A few folks may still be interested. If negotiations are not successful, the gas service will be provided by DNR summer staff. Renters will receive notice as soon as that has been determined along with the slip rental fee and rental procedures.

A hoist removal and placement service is available through Storm Lake Hoist, owners: J.D. Goodchild, 712-732-4949; and Kevin Besch, cell number 712-299-6333. They are not affiliated with the DNR Storm Lake Marina so you will need to contact them for their services. For those of you who previously rented a hoist from Marvin, you will need to contact Marvin to inquire if he has hoists for rent or sale. Hoists currently being stored on DNR property will need to be relocated to the lake waters or removed from the property by Memorial Day weekend to make the parking lot useable. Hoists currently stored on the land leased by the DNR across from the marina can remain in their present location through May of 2008. Marina slip renters can have their hoists installed in their assigned slips after the dock installation has been completed. Power to the slips may not be available until after June 27th; however, the contractors will make every effort to complete this part of the project as soon as possible. More information regarding hoist power and slip assignments will follow in the near future.

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your patience and cooperation while we work through this redevelopment. For the latest information about the marina project and operation, please bookmark this page or contact Angela Corio, project manager at 515-281-4579.

Sequence of Events,*.pdf
Storm Lake Dock Plan,*.pdf

DECEMBER 2006 UPDATE
Our current concessionaire at Casino Bay Marina has decided to not renew the concession contract for next year as we had anticipated. His contract will run through December 31, 2006.

The Department is considering all options available to provide continued operation of the marina. We are committed to provide basic marina services which include slip rental in the marina and gas service to boaters next year while the marina is under construction. The boat ramp at the marina will remain open during construction.

Presently, we are working with current marina operator Marvin Hartman, local officials, and interested persons to ensure the hoist installation/removal service will still be available next year to dock owners around the lake. If you had rented a hoist from Mr. Hartman, you may want to contact him and see if he is interested in selling or renting the hoist to you.

We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your patience and cooperation while we work through this new development.

Project Timeline,*.pdf
Concession Building Plan,*.pdf

SEPTEMBER 2006 UPDATE
STORM LAKE - Results of the $3 million renovation project at Casino Bay State Marina on Storm Lake set to debut in 2008 will showcase new boat ramps, improved docks, landscaping and a new concession building. This is just one of many new projects underway at the 3,097-acre natural lake.

This major marina renovation will affect access to the area beginning in October 2006 until the project is completed in the spring of 2008. See the schedule below for details of the project timeline,*.pdf.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources hosted an informal open house with a presentation of the project on Sept. 7. See Q and A for a summary of discussions,*.pdf.