Second Sunday Talks: Shifting Borders

Shifting Borders: The Battle for Carter Lake & Lake Manawa

Sunday, August 9 | 2:00 PM
Metro Community College, Fort Omaha Campus
Building 10, Room 110

What happens when a river decides to change course?

For Iowa and Nebraska, the answer was decades of legal battles, disputed land claims, and a border unlike any other in the nation.

Join us this August as historian Troy Stolp explores the fascinating story of Carter Lake and Lake Manawa, two bodies of water created when the Missouri River dramatically altered its course in the late nineteenth century. What began as natural disasters quickly became a complex legal puzzle as the shifting river changed the very boundary between Iowa and Nebraska.

Today, Carter Lake remains one of the most unique communities in America. Although surrounded by Omaha, it is officially part of Iowa. Meanwhile, Lake Manawa emerged as one of the region’s most popular recreational destinations while attracting competing claims from both states.

Through historical research, maps, photographs, and compelling stories, Troy will unravel how floods, geography, politics, and the courts combined to create one of the most unusual border disputes in American history.

If you’ve ever wondered why Carter Lake belongs to Iowa, despite appearing to be part of Omaha, this presentation is for you.

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Troy Stolp is a Lewis Central High School graduate who has dedicated much of his academic and professional life to the study and preservation of local history. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Iowa State University, a Bachelor of Arts in History from Buena Vista University, and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Troy serves on the Board of Directors for Preserve Council Bluffs and the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County and has been involved with the Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Commission. His experience also includes work with the Durham Museum, where he further developed his passion for sharing regional history with the public. Known for his engaging presentations and deep knowledge of local history, Troy brings a unique perspective to the stories that have shaped both sides of the Missouri River. Join us as we explore one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of Iowa, Nebraska, and the river that forever changed them both.