By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
It used to be just a normal dam, granted a much quieter one. But as we all know, over the last few months, Gavins Point Dam has become a lot more than that and for businesses around here, it's meant some extra cash in their drawers.
It's quite a majestic sight, a force to be reckoned with. And getting a first hand look at history in the making is what's driving folks to Yankton, South Dakota.
"It'd be kind of dumb if you drive within a few miles of it and not stop because it is something quite fantastic," said Don Oxendale, of Odebolt, IA.
"The Dairy Dock" is a small, locally-owned ice cream shop. You'd expect it to be busy in the summer, But, for them, this summer is like no other.
Ashley Dimmer, a manager at "The Dairy Dock" said, "We've seen an increase in traffic. We've seen a lot of new faces and we've had to hire more staff."
When making the trip to Gavins Point Dam, some stop for ice cream, others go to the bar.
This one, also popular in the summertime, has seen its most unique clientele ever. "They come in, they chit chat and you see their license plates, there's people from California, Oregon, I mean, just all over, Michigan. I've seen so many people from all over coming in just to check it out," said Jenn Kush, an employee at Cottonwood Shipwreck Bar & Restaurant.
With releases scheduled to start decreasing this weekend, folks at these businesses say their traffic will likely do the same. But like so many others, the activity at this dam has made for a summer they'll never forget.
