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Current Happenings

Thank you for visiting the Clearwater Lake Current Happenings Page. Check back periodically for postings on Corps of Engineers special events, and current issues on Clearwater Lake and in the surrounding area.

News Releases

Looking Back
PIEDMONT, Mo., Jan. 6 – 2009 has arrived, but let us take a minute to look back at the successes and accomplishments of the past year. More

Hunting Near Water
PIEDMONT, Mo., Dec. 9 – Hunting waterfowl places hunters on or near the water. Even upland hunters at times cross streams or rivers. There is usually an emphasis on firearm safety, and rightfully so, but too little attention is paid to water safety and water-related accident prevention as each year hunters are killed or injured by water-related mishaps. More

Hypothermia
PIEDMONT, Mo., Dec. 2 -- The holiday season is here, and it is a great time for friends and family to enjoy the outdoors together. However, it is also the time of year when hypothermia can change a carefree fishing, camping or hunting trip into a life threatening situation. More

Successful Special Deer Hunt At Clearwater Lake
PIEDMONT, Mo., Nov. 25 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Clearwater Lake hosted a deer hunt for non-ambulatory hunters on Nov. 8 and 9 in the Watchable Wildlife Area. This was the sixth successful year for this hunt, which is a great asset in helping manage the deer herd in the Watchable Wildlife Area, keeping it from becoming overpopulated. More

Safety Tips For Fall And Winter Boating
PIEDMONT, Mo., Nov. 18 – Although “boating season” is generally thought of as between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, many boaters find the fall and even early winter months are a great time to enjoy Missouri lakes. Lakes are less crowded, and mild temperatures make for pleasant days on the water for hunters, anglers and recreational boaters. More

Honoring Our Military
PIEDMONT, Mo., Nov. 4 -- To honor the men and women of our military, the Army Corps of Engineers will waive all day use fees for veterans, active, Reserve and National Guard service members and their families at its recreations facilities nationwide on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. More

CAMPING WITH WILDLIFE
PIEDMONT, Mo., Nov. 4 — One reason people enjoy camping is because of the opportunities it provides to commune with Mother Nature. However, Mother Nature can sometimes be a nuisance or even dangerous. Seeing critters around camp can seem nice until those critters start causing problems. More

CAMPFIRE SAFETY
PIEDMONT, Mo. October 28, 2008— Fires and camping seem to be inseparable especially when the temperatures begin to drop. As the temperature drops so do leaves from the trees leaving behind a blanket of heavy leaf litter covering the ground during the fall and winter months. Keep this in mind as fires need special attention while camping. More

Fall Camping
PIEDMONT, Mo., Oct. 7 - For those of you who enjoy cool fall camping and warm campfires, there is good news. River Road Park at Clearwater Lake just below the dam will again be open year round, complete with electricity and hot showers. More

Changing of Colors
PIEDMONT, Mo., Sept. 30 – With days getting shorter and temperatures dipping lower, the soft green foliage around the lake will soon turn into a bright display of reds, oranges, golds and browns. We invite everyone to come out and view Mother Nature’s changing of colors around Clearwater Lake. More

Clearwater Lake Hunting Opportunities
PIEDMONT, Mo., Sept. 23 -- Fall has begun, and many of you will spend more time outdoors enjoying the many hunting opportunities found at Clearwater Lake. With 16,000 acres of managed natural resources, you are sure to find the game you seek. More

2008 Park Closing Dates
PIEDMONT, Mo., Sept. 16 – The 2008 recreation season is quickly coming to an end, but for those of you who like to plan ahead, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year. Once again, reservations for the 2009 recreation season will be accepted for dates between May 15 and Sept. 15. If you plan to camp before or after these dates, all sites are first-come, first-served. More

Late Summer Water Safety Tips
PIEDMONT, Mo., Sep 2 – Labor Day weekend just passed, and the summer is winding down, but there still will be plenty of folks at Clearwater Lake this weekend. If you are among them, don’t let your guard down. You are encouraged to practice water safety and to use common sense whenever you’re enjoying what Clearwater Lake has to offer. More

Life Jackets for Children: Facts to Know
PIEDMONT, Mo. Aug. 19 – State law requires boats to carry a Coast Guard approved life jacket for each passenger on board and that children under 7 years old wear theirs. Since life jackets only work when they are worn, we recommend older children and adults wear theirs too. Because there are so many types and sizes to choose from, here are some facts to help in your selection. More

Government Boundary Line
PIEDMONT, Mo., Aug 12 – Crews are conducting maintenance along portions of the boundary line surrounding Clearwater Lake to aid in keeping the boundaries more easily identifiable. They are working on about 20 miles of boundary between Brawley Hollow and the Sinking Creek area. More

Safe Boating Tips
PIEDMONT, Mo., Aug. 5 – Activities such as fishing, skiing and recreational boating are all enjoyed on Clearwater Lake. However, one mistake can turn a lake outing from fun to tragedy in just seconds. More

Precautions Against Insects and Critters In The Outdoors
PIEDMONT, Mo., July 16 – Family camping can be fun, but it can also be an unpleasant experience if you are not prepared for insects and critters that can become nuisances when you visit the great outdoors. More

‘Stories In The Park’ By Marty
PIEDMONT, Mo., July 2, – Tired of watching reruns on television? Looking for something fun you and your family can do? If so, let me invite you to an evening of “Stories in the Park” by Marty Torlina. She has agreed to return this summer to River Road Park two times a month and share her love and passion for books. More

Tree Planting
PIEDMONT, Mo., June 24 – The Army Corps of Engineers at Clearwater Lake recently completed its annual tree plantings. These trees were planted in various locations throughout the project for wildlife habitat enhancement and bank stabilization. More

Corps Rules and Regulations Require Your Help For Success
PIEDMONT, Mo. June 10 - As the nation’s leader in water-based recreation, the Army Corps of Engineers welcomes millions of visitors a year to our lakes. To protect these resources and to help ensure you, our visitors, have safe and enjoyable visits, we rely on Title 36 of the U.S. Code to govern how our water resources projects are used. But we need your help to be successful. More

Clearwater Lake Continues to Recede
CLEARWATER LAKE, Mo. June 10 – The Army Corps of Engineers reports Clearwater Lake has reached a milestone in the wake of extreme spring rains. The lake level has receded and stayed below elevation 545 feet during the past two weeks, and the level continues to fall. The elevation Tuesday was 527.03 feet. More

Clearwater Teams With Boy Scouts For Earth Day
PIEDMONT, Mo., May. 13 – Recently Clearwater Lake’s staff teamed with Piedmont Boy Scout Troop 65 and Webelos from Cub Scout Pack 65 during activities to celebrate Earth Day, an annual worldwide event focusing on the importance of protecting our future with a healthy environment. More

2008 Camping Season
PIEDMONT, Mo., May 6 – The 2008 camping season is upon us! Starting May 15, all five campgrounds at Clearwater Lake will be in full swing. We hope to see you out here enjoying your natural resources this summer. More

How Clearwater Lake Helps Reduce Flood Damage
PIEDMONT, Mo. April 29 – The effects of repeated rain in the White River Basin in Arkansas and Missouri are prompting many people to ask how the Army Corps of Engineers operates Clearwater Dam and Lake to reduce flood damage. Others want to know what to expect as the rainy season continues. More

Clearwater Dam Update
PIEDMONT, Mo. April 12, 2008, – The unusually high amount of rainfall in the upper basin of Clearwater lake has caused the lake to continue to rise. The lake elevation as of 9 a.m. April 12 is 562.2’ with 88 percent of its flood storage capacity being used. More

Clearwater Dam Update
PIEDMONT, Mo., April 3 – Clearwater Dam has greatly reduced flood damages along the Black River where repeated rain has occurred. More rain has begun falling, though officials said Thursday that not enough rain is in the forecast to completely fill the lake. More

Corps of Engineers Survey Crews Working Along Black River
PIEDMONT, Mo., April 3, -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crews are beginning surveys today downstream of Clearwater Dam to better determine how various releases from the dam might affect property along the Black River. More

Clearwater Dam Reducing Downstream Flood Damage In Wake Of Torrential Rains
PIEDMONT, Mo., March 19 – Torrential rains in the Black River Basin have caused flash flooding, and the Black River is above flood stage. However, Clearwater Dam is doing its job to reduce flood crests and resultant damage downstream. More

LIDAR Surveying
PIEDMONT, Mo., March 4 – As we all know, improved technology can provide us more accurate information than ever before. This month, we at Clearwater Lake will employ some very accurate surveying technology to ensure we have the most advanced information available when we operate and maintain the lake and plan for its future. More

Volunteering
PIEDMONT, Mo., Feb. 12 -- As stewards of almost 12 million acres of land and water held in public trust, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers many volunteer opportunities in recreation and natural resources management. With this in mind, we take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the many wonderful people and organizations who have volunteered their time and resources at Clearwater Lake. More

Severe Weather
CLEARWATER LAKE, Feb. 5--Fishing on Clearwater Lake can be fun and enjoyable during any time of year, but fishing during stormy weather is not. Severe storms can brew up suddenly and may be deadly. Checking weather forecasts before heading to the lake can help keep a boater from being stuck in the middle of a storm. More

Annual Bald Eagle Survey Yields Important Results
PIEDMONT, Mo., Jan. 23 -- The natural resource branch at Clearwater Lake recently completed its annual midwinter bald eagle survey. This year we observed 3 immature bald eagles and 4 mature bald eagles on the project. That is one more than last year. This survey is conducted by four-wheel-drive vehicle in specific primitive areas and by boat inside the perimeter of Clearwater Lake. Results are submitted to the state coordinator. More

Annual Day Use Passes Are Available
PIEDMONT, Mo., Jan. 15 – The 2008 Annual Day Use Passes have arrived at the Clearwater Project Office. The cost remains $30. Golden Age and Golden Access Passport or America the Beautiful Senior and Access Pass holders receive a 50 percent discount and can purchase a Day Use Pass for $15. The passes are good at any Corps project for a year. More

Lost
PIEDMONT, Mo., Jan. 8 – The 16,100 acres of project lands surrounding Clearwater Lake are well worth exploring because they harbor diverse scenery, plants and animals. It can be a great way to spend the day, but be careful. Although no one plans to get lost, it occurs more frequently than one would imagine. A little preparation and knowing what to do should you become lost are keys to a quick recovery. More

How To Make A Reservation
PIEDMONT, Mo. Dec. 18 – The Army Corps of Engineers is familiar to most from the agency’s involvement flood damage reduction, construction and operation of manmade lakes and hydroelectric power production. Part of the charter is also to open these river and lakeside areas to the public and provide fishing, boating, camping and other recreational opportunities. More

Clearwater Dam Major Rehabilitation Project (Phase 1)
PIEDMONT, Mo., May 30 – The first phase of the Clearwater Dam Major Rehabilitation Project is underway. The contract for this phase the project was awarded to ACT (Advanced Construction Techniques), which in turn sub-contracted part of the work to Quadri Construction Company of Ellsinore, Mo. Phase one is expected to take about one year to complete. More

First Phase Beginning on Clearwater Dam Rehabilitation
PIEDMONT, Mo., March 14 – The first phase of the Clearwater Dam Major Rehabilitation Project will get underway this month. Over the course of the next four years or so, a concrete cutoff wall will be built through the dam into the bedrock to make the dam good as new and keep it safe for many years to come. More

Seven part series from the Army Corps of Engineers explaining how and why the agency operates six multi-purpose lakes in the White River basin.
Part 1 - Competing Uses Keep Corps on Toes at White River Lakes
Part 2 - White River Lakes Reduce Downstream Flood Damage
Part 3 - White River Dam Generates Clean, Renewable Electricity
Part 4 - Demand Grows for Water Supply from White River Lakes
Part 5 - Parks at White River Lakes Offer Water Fun, Spur Tourism
Part 6 - Protecting, Enhancing Environment at the White River Lakes
Part 7 - White River Lakes Prove to be Great Taxpayer Investment

- For more information about these items or for information on other current issues contact the Clearwater Lake Project Office.

Clearwater Project Office
RR 3 Box 3559-D
Piedmont, MO 63957
(573) 223-7777

Updated/Reviewed: 7 Jan 2009