The Crater Lake Monster

Dr. Richard Calkins, Dan Turner, and Susan Patterson descend into a Crater Lake-area cave and uncover drawings that appear to depict people fighting a dinosaur. As they study the cave art, a flaming meteorite crashes into the lake, triggering a cave-in that traps and nearly kills them. Sheriff Steve Hanson witnesses the meteor's descent and radios in the incident before resuming his patrol.

Months pass as the lake warms dramatically and the meteor remains unfound at the bottom. Sheriff Hanson and the scientists continue to investigate, while a birdwatcher is killed when the monster rises from the water and drags him to shore. The presence of a dangerous, unknown creature becomes undeniable.

Desperate for income, Arnie Chabot and Mitch Kowalski start a boat rental service. Their first client is U.S. Senator Jack Fuller, who rents a rowboat for a fishing trip. The monster attacks and kills the senator during the excursion.

The empty senator's boat drifts back to shore with large bloodstains, providing damning evidence to the Sheriff. He uses the finds to investigate and warns Arnie and Mitch to stay away from the lake and stop renting boats. Tension between locals escalates as fear grows.

Ross Conway and his wife Paula rent a motorboat after car trouble. They are attacked by the monster but manage to outrun it and beach the boat. Paula and Ross fend it off by dumping gasoline into the boat and setting it ablaze.

Arnie and Mitch's argument escalates into conflict, and they are shaken when the severed head of Senator Fuller floats into view. The Sheriff arrives with evidence and reinforces the warning to avoid the lake and stop their boat rentals.

Calkins's autopsy reveals wounds from a creature with large teeth, indicating a predator that lives in the lake. The team confirms the possibility of a living dinosaur and begins to accept the unlikely truth. The Sheriff discusses the need for a plan to protect the town.

In the diner, the Sheriff, scientists, and townspeople hold a meeting to inform everyone about the monster and outline potential steps. Debate flares over whether to kill the creature or welcome it as a tourist draw. The town's fear and fascination collide in this pivotal moment.

The monster strikes Ferguson during a public incident near the diner, drawing the group outside to confront it near farming equipment and hay bales. Arnie tries to oppose the Sheriff’s plan, arguing the monster should live, but the Sheriff insists on taking it down to protect the town.

Arnie is caught by the monster as the Sheriff drives a bulldozer toward it. The crew rallies as the Sheriff accelerates, ramming the monster's neck until it collapses and stops moving. The town witnesses the brutal conclusion to the creature's rampage.

In the wake of the battle, the survivors mourn Arnie's death and reflect on the costs of confronting the unknown. Mitch vows to continue the boat rental business, softly repeating 'our boats' as a memorial to his partner.

The survivors acknowledge the improbable discovery of a living dinosaur in their lake and the town's new notoriety. They consider the implications for science, tourism, and safety as they move forward with a wary sense of wonder.