 The original incorporated Van Hook town's last reported US Census population in 1950 was 380, prior to when everyone was forced to move out by the federal government.The Van Hook arm of Lake Sakakawea has always been very popular for recreational fishing, boating, and camping.The rebuilt resort town began a building process the 1970s when it became obvious that most of the main townsite did not flood and would never be flooded by the waters of Lake Sakakawea, and some of the original townsite area was initially opened for camping trailers and other similar temporary summer living quarters.