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Links to pages for the six main stem dam and lake projects on the Missouri River.
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Cherry Creek, Bear Creek, and Chatfield dams are located near Denver, Colo. The dams are managed and maintained by the Omaha District.
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Lake data includes links to boat ramp elevations, lake levels, water temperatures, etc. and information about portage around the main stem dams.
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Location: Near Pierre, S.D., River Mile 1,072.3
Lake Oahe is surrounded by mixed grass prairie with trees growing down to the shore in occasional steep draws.
Oahe Dam takes its name from the Oahe Mission established among the Lakota Sioux people in 1874, about eight miles upstream from the present site of the dam. The word "Oahe," roughly translated, means "a foundation" or "a place to stand on."
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The Lakota Sioux were not the first people in the area now called "the land of the Sioux." The Lakotas displaced people of the Arikara tribe, whose earth lodge villages lined the bluffs along the Missouri River in the 18th century. Traces of the fortresses that guarded their villages still remain.
Present day residents include the Cheyenne River Sioux and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes, which occupy a majority of land on the west side of Lake Oahe.
Significant historical sites surround Lake Oahe, including the Fort Manuel Trading Post where Sacajawea, the Shoshone Indian woman who served as a guide for Lewis and Clark, is said to be buried.
The grave site of the Lakota Sioux Chief Sitting Bull is also nearby, as is the old military post of Fort Sully.
People travel from all over to participate in recreational activities on the 461,000 acres of land and water that comprise the project.
Guests are encouraged to have fun and are reminded that care should be taken to preserve the lands and waters for future visitors. There are 51 recreation areas around the reservoir including highly developed campgrounds and day use areas, moderately developed areas and primitive areas. Recreation opportunities at the lake include camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, swimming, bird-watching, hiking, biking, and photography.
The story of Oahe focuses on people - from the early Native American tribes, to the fur traders and pioneers, to those who manage, operate and use the facility today. All play an important role in shaping and developing this region.
Lake Oahe's 2,250 mile shoreline offers a myriad of opportunities to outdoor recreationists. Swimmers, sightseers, campers and picnickers alike have their choice of outdoor activities. More than 1.5 million visitors enjoy Lake Oahe's recreation facilities each year.
Campers may choose between fully developed campsites with electrical hookups, trailer dump stations and comfort stations and more primitive sites with little or no amenitites. The day-use areas have picnic shelters, tables, grills, drinking water, comfort stations and playground equipment.
Anglers come to Lake Oahe for the great variety of sport fish, especially walleye and Chinook salmon. Other fish species include channel catfish, northern pike, whitebass, small mouth bass, sauger, trout, perch, blue gill and crappie. Concrete boat launching ramps are available at many locations on the lake.
Many of the public lands around the lakes and rivers, except for developed recreation areas, are open to hunting and offer a great place for sportsmen to hunt pheasants, grouse, partridge, turkey, waterfowl and deer. Wildlife management areas around lake and other areas may allow trapping/snaring please refer to the regulations that are established and enforced by the State of North Dakota. The Corps of Engineers has certain project restrictions for areas it directly operates (buildings, recreation, and day use areas) for hunting, trapping, and snaring.
Highways 1804 and 1806 pass by most of Oahe’s recreation areas from Bismarck, N.D. and Pierre, S.D.
The Oahe Visitor Center is situated on the eastern crest of Oahe Dam. The visitor center provides an excellent view of Lake Oahe and the Missouri River.
The center provides information about the history, exploration, early navigation, settlement and natural history of Lake Oahe and the Missouri River. Programs highlight construction of the dam, the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the fish of South Dakota.
Visitor Center Hours: The Visitor Center is staffed by our local Retired Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) as well as the Campground Host. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please visit the volunteer clearinghouse.
Memorial Day to Labor Day:
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Off-season Hours: Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed Holidays)
Due to increased security, powerhouse tours begin at the Oahe Visitor Center. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour and visitors over 18 years old must show a government issued photo ID. Tours last up to one hour.
Tours are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day:
Weekdays: Three times daily at 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; and 4:00 p.m.
Weekends & Holidays: Three times daily at 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; and 4:00 p.m.
Off-season for groups of 10 or more: Call (605) 224-5862. Tours are by special appointment only
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Missouri River region daily river bulletin - main stem reservoirs, selected tributary reservoirs and selected river gage readings
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Midnight water temperature readings for the main stem reservoirs for about the last 30 days
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The Missouri Basin River Forecast Center is part of a network of 13 River Forecast Centers across the U.S. River Forecast Centers collect, process and provide forecasts and information about water resources for major river basins across the country.
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Boat ramp elevation readings for Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe and Fort Randall Projects.
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TItle 36, Parks, Forests, & Public Property, Chapter 3; Code of Federal Regs. - Rules and regulations for public use including hunting and recreation activities on USACE water resource development projects.
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The Dam Safety Program seeks to ensure that USACE owned and operated dams do not present unacceptable risks to people, property, or the environment, with the emphasis on people.
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Missouri River Recovery Program
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Regional lake navigation maps developed by the Corps. Regional lake maps, river navigation charts and aerial photography maps.
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Website offering information about Corps lakes nationwide.
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Recreation.gov includes information on Federal government managed & Federal government affiliated (subordinate, subsidiary or member) sites. Content focuses on nature-based, historic & cultural activities commonly available on federally managed lands.
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2/7/2013 The first Surplus Water Agreement, authorized by Section 6 of the 1944 Flood Control Act, allowing the temporary withdrawal of water from Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota, was signed by the Omaha District Commander Col. Joel R. Cross late yesterday evening.
9/25/2012 Based on requests from the public for an extension to the Missouri River Mainstem Water Reallocation Study, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, announced today that the deadline for submitting input regarding areas of focus the public would like to see the study address has been extended by an additional two weeks, giving people through Oct. 12 to submit their comments.
9/18/2012 Day-use fees at more than 2,400 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operated recreation areas nationwide will be waived in recognition of National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29. The Omaha District will be participating on Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon with Missouri River Relief to clean up along the Missouri River banks. Additionally, Lake Oahe near Pierre, S.D., will be hosting a brush removal and firewood distribution volunteer opportunity on Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon.
9/7/2012 During meetings held to announce the results of Draft Surplus Water reports for five of the six Missouri River Mainstem Reservoirs Aug. 20 to Aug. 29, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, concurrently began the scoping process for the reallocation study for the Missouri River Mainstem System.
9/6/2012 In response to requests from the public during meetings held throughout the Missouri River basin from Aug. 20 to Aug. 29, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is extending the public comment period for the five Draft Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir Surplus Water Reports and Environmental Assessments to Oct. 10, 2012.
8/7/2012 A report has been developed and released for public comment for each of the following mainstem reservoirs: Fort Peck Dam/Fort Peck Lake, Mont.; Oahe Dam/ Lake Oahe, S.D., Big Bend Dam/Lake Sharpe, S.D.; Fort Randall Dam/Lake Francis Case, S.D.; and Gavins Point Dam/Lewis and Clark Lake, S.D. The draft reports identify and quantify surplus water availability at each of the locations.
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