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The Big Lakes & Rivers

From Lake Oahe to Lake Sharpe, the South Dakota Missouri River region is full of beautiful lakes and rivers, full of outdoor recreational bliss. If you want a big lake experience, you'll find it along the Missouri River. Four large reservoirs were created along the length of the "Big Mo," thanks to dams near Pierre, Fort Thompson, Pickstown and Yankton. All four lakes offer an abundance of fishing and hunting along with recreational boating, jet skiing, sailing and fun. Camping is found along the shores as well as hotel/motel accommodations in nearby towns.


Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe is the first stop along the northern part of the Missouri River in South Dakota. It stretches for 231 miles from Oahe Dam, near Pierre, all the way north to Bismarck, N.D. The largest of the four Missouri River reservoirs, Lake Oahe is the "big water." This deep, clear lake - at its maximum depth, Oahe reaches 205 feet - making for excellent boating and fishing.

Like the other reservoirs, Oahe is known for its walleye fishing. Other commonly caught species include smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike and perch. Most anglers fish by boat, but plenty of fishermen have their favorite spots along the shore. Because of the lake's size and the possibility of high winds, it's recommended that boats be at least an 18-foot deep "V" with 50 horsepower outboard.

The lands along Oahe are also known for exceptional hunting. Canadian geese, duck and sharp-tailed grouse are some of the most popular hunted species in this region.


Oahe Dam
The Oahe Dam

Oahe Dam

Located just six miles north of Pierre and Fort Pierre, the Oahe Dam stands as one of the largest earth-rolled dams in the world. It creates the fourth largest artificial reservoir in the United States, supplying irrigation, conservation, flood control and electric power to many Midwestern states as well as abundant recreation along Lake Oahe.

The Oahe Dam was authorized in 1944 by the Flood Control Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began working on the dam in 1948. By 1962, the Oahe Dam was functioning and producing hydroelectric power. The dam was dedicated on August 17, 1962, by President John F. Kennedy. The word Oahe, once the name of a Christian mission, is a Sioux Indian word meaning "a foundation," or "a place to stand on."

Visitors can view the Oahe Dam and Lake Oahe by following the highway seven miles north of Pierre. Here, you’ll find the Oahe Dam Visitor Center. The Oahe Dam Visitor Center provides a complete history of Lake Oahe and the surrounding area. Exhibits feature the history of the construction of the dam/power plant, and the natural history of Lake Oahe and the Missouri River.  The Oahe Dam Visitor Center, located above the dam, is open year-round, featuring interactive displays and information about the Oahe Dam and the Missouri River.


Lake Sharpe
Lake Sharpe

Lake Sharpe

Lake Sharpe begins at the Oahe Dam and flows for 80 miles south to the Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. The lake covers over 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of scenic shoreline. Much of the western shore of the lake is within the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, while the Crow Creek Indian Reservation lies along the eastern shore. The lake was named after Merrill Q. Sharpe, the 17th Governor of South Dakota.

The reservoir is most known for the "big bend" created by a 25-mile, nearly circular curve just north of Big Bend Dam. The thin strip of land between the two ends of the Big Bend is known as the Narrows. When Lewis and Clark passed through, they noted an abundance of wildlife here—and the same holds true today. The rugged bluffs that line Lake Sharpe continue to harbor many species of waterfowl and wildlife.

Hunting opportunities include Canadian geese, duck, grouse, pheasant, deer and antelope. Fishermen primarily reel in walleye, sauger, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white bass and even some trout.

You can experience the raw beauty of this landscape by driving the Native American Scenic Byway. The 101-mile route takes you to the edge of river bluffs, down to the river bottom, and up onto the High Plains where you may catch a glimpse of a tribal buffalo herd.


Big Bend Dam
Big Bend Dam

Big Bend Dam

Located near Fort Thompson, Big Bend Dam is the major earth-rolled dam that creates Lake Sharpe. The lake extends for 80 miles up the Missouri River to Oahe Dam. The dam takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River just seven miles upstream. It was the last of the four major dams in South Dakota to be constructed along the Missouri River.

The dam was constructed as part of the Flood Control Act of 1944. Construction began in 1959 and the entire project was completed in 1966. The hydroelectric plant generates power for the Missouri River Basin.

The Big Bend Dam Visitors Center is located on Highway 50 near Chamberlain. It is operational mid-May through mid-September. Powerhouse tours are available June through August.


Lake Francis Case
Lake Francis Case

Lake Francis Case

Lake Francis Case is the large, gently winding reservoir behind Fort Randall Dam on the Missouri River in south-central South Dakota. The lake has an area of 102,000 acres and a maximum depth of 140 feet. Lake Francis Case covers just over 100 miles and has a shoreline of 540 miles.

The rolling prairie terrain surrounding Lake Francis Case is a peaceful paradise for outdoors enthusiasts, while the reservoir itself is home to all kinds of water recreation. Species of fish in the reservoir include walleye, northern pike, sauger, sunfish, yellow perch, common carp, black bullhead, channel catfish and smallmouth bass.

Lake Francis Case cuts through grassy prairie and grain fields that provide habitat for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chickens, turkeys and geese. Hunters also pursue big game animals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer and antelope.

Two national wildlife refuges, Lake Andes and Karl E. Mundt, are set aside to protect the waterfowl and wildlife. At the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, visitors may encounter any number of species indigenous to the area, from beaver to white-tailed deer. During the spring and fall migrations, bird watchers enjoy a great diversity of birds including a large number of bald and golden eagles.


Fort Randall Dam
Fort Randall Dam

Fort Randall Dam

The Fort Randall Dam is the earth embankment dam forming Lake Francis Case in south-central South Dakota. This reservoir travels over 100 miles.

The dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944 and plays a key role in the development of water resources in the Missouri River basin. The Corps of Engineers began construction of Fort Randall Dam in 1946. President Dwight D. Eisenhower threw the switch that started the first power generating unit in 1954. The entire project was completed in 1956.

The Fort Randall Dam area is home to one of America's largest wintering concentrations of bald and golden eagles. The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge, just below Fort Randall Dam, is where visitors often spot bald eagles sitting high atop cottonwood trees lining the shore. Winter is prime eagle-watching time.

Old Fort Randall, a military fort built in 1856, once stood in the shadow of Fort Randall Dam. Today, visitors can walk the parade grounds and imagine what life was like at this lonely frontier post. Tours of Fort Randall Dam and the Powerhouse are available during the summer.


Lewis and Clarke Lake
Lewis and Clark Lake

Lewis and Clark Lake

The smallest of the four reservoirs, Lewis and Clark Lake is a charming body of water that attracts over two million visitors per year. Situated on the border of South Dakota and Nebraska, the area boasts beautiful chalky bluffs along the shore near Gavins Point Dam in Yankton. The twenty-five mile long lake holds a special attraction for sailing enthusiasts and brightly colored sailing masts dot the water all summer long. They share the waters with boaters, skiers and fishermen.

Outdoor recreation, camping, fishing and hunting are popular attractions in and around the Lewis and Clark Lake area. It was in this area, at Calumet Bluff, that Lewis and Clark had their first meeting with the Yankton Sioux in 1804. Today, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, overlooking Gavins Point Dam, offers exhibits on the river's natural resources, the people who have lived along its banks and Lewis and Clark's expedition.

On either end of Lewis and Clark Lake sit two natural segments of Missouri River that flow unrestricted. These narrow, winding waters more closely resemble what Lewis and Clark would have seen as they came up the Mighty Mo.


Gavins Point Dam
Gavins Point Dam

Gavins Point Dam

Gavins Point Dam, located four miles west of Yankton, was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944. Ground was broken at the dam site on May 18, 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 1956 the power plant began producing electricity.

Tree-lined public camping areas surround the lake above and below Gavins Point Dam. Camping facilities provided by the Corps and the States of South Dakota and Nebraska include campsites with electricity, modern restrooms, playground equipment and trailer dump stations.

The Lewis and Clark Center is located on top of Calumet Bluff just downstream from the Gavins Point Power plant. The visitor center provides a spectacular view of Lewis and Clark Lake, Gavins Point Dam and the Missouri River.

Exhibits in the center include information and displays about the development of the entire Missouri River Basin as well as the geology, exploration, early navigation, settlement and natural history of the Missouri River region. The Calumet Bluff Theater programs highlight construction of Gavins Point Dam, the Lewis and Clark Expedition and native wildflowers. The Visitor Center is open Memorial Day to Labor Day with off-season hours September through October.


Aerial view of Missouri River

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