Welcome to the Gavins Point Project Homepage

The Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake. Nestled in the golden, chalkstone-lined valley of the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark Lake area has grown into one of the most popular recreation spots in the Great Plains.

Gavins Point Dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, commonly called the Pick-Sloan Plan. Under this plan, Gavins Point was designed primarily to provide a steady outflow of water to assist navigation on the lower Missouri River. In addition to navigation, the project provides flood control, generation of hydroelectric power, irrigation, improved water supply, fish and wildlife management, and recreation.

Ground was broken at the damsite on May 18th of 1952 in a ceremony attended by Lieutenant General Lewis Pick, then Chief of Engineers, and the Governors of South Dakota and Nebraska. Construction began immediately and in September of 1956 the Powerplant began producing electricity for customers. The total cost of the dam totaled just under $50 million. Yearly benefits from the dam are estimated at $35 million dollars.

General Information

Location:
4 miles west of Yankton, SD on Highway 52, south across the dam or 13 miles north of Crofton, NE on Highway 121

Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Powerplant Tours:
Tours are given Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. Special tours can be scheduled by calling 402-667-2546 weekdays between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

Address:

Mail Address:                                                  

Telephone: (402) 667-7873

Fax: (402) 667-2537

E-Mail:
For questions regarding Gavins Point Dam or Lewis and Clark Lake contact us at Gavins Point Project.

    ^{Visitors since 13 December 2003}