Rising lake levels do more than benefit fishing in North Dakota...

The drought has had a dramatic affect on businesses that depend on the recreational traffic.

And now that the water is rebounding so has business at many area resorts.

Donnell Preskey has the story...

(splash) Sounds of a busy place... (boat) Sounds that had been silent for years..

(boat) (Kelly Sorge) "Gets depressing watching water go down and stay down and wonder how long you can survive with it being that way." Kelly Sorge owns Indian Hills resort west of Garrison

She took over the family business the year the drought took over the bay

We did see some people who come from a long ways a way of out state, they want to wait till water comes back..

And it's back... With the change of water levels comes a change in attitude..

(Kelly Sorge) "The blue water up to the green grass, it's amazing how beautiful it is." (Donnell) "This area of Indian Hills is the hub of all the activity. Hard to believe this bay is being used for the first time since 2003." (Sorge) "this entire bay was maybe 4 feet and the year before was completely dry. We didn't even use the main boat ramp - we had a temporary ramp we've been using since 2004.." Now that ramp, the parking lot and the road to it are all underwater..

And this new dock had been sitting on the shoreline for five years waiting to float... (sorge) in meantime, added on to place, added new campgrounds, put some cabins in, took time to work on place and build on things so when water is back now we're ready." Downstream the Stateline Resort near Strasburg is also ready... The low water had a more dramatic affect here... The water was a mile and a half from the shore too far for any camper or boater to enjoy

(imgrund) "without water it pretty much devestated the business and made doors close up." After being shut down for five years it feels good to open the doors once again.

(imgrund) "Since water back up, brought business back, reopened here. Lots of guests in first month." Both businesses say while this year is good as long as the water stays up the best is yet to come...

Sorge says she's seeing the impact of the economy. As the summer winds down less people are making a second trip to the resort. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list