The Oahe Dam EarthCache
Hidden : 3/24/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


The Oahe Dam, just north of Pierre, South Dakota in the United States, is a large man-made dam along the Missouri River. The 9,300-foot-long rolled-earth dam creates Lake Oahe, the 4th largest man-made reservoir in the United States and the 14th largest in the world, which extends over two hundred miles up the Missouri River to Bismarck, North Dakota. Lake Oahe has 2,250 miles of shoreline--more than the state of California. The dam's power plant provides electricity for much of the north-central United States. It is named for the Oahe Indian Mission established among the Lakota Sioux in 1874.

Construction of the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River started in 1948 with the relocation of towns, roads, and bridges that would be flooded by creation of the reservoir. Work dam then proceeded, with closure taking place in 1958.

One–third of the Missouri River has been transformed into lake environments due to the construction of six dams along the river.

These changes have significantly altered the Missouri River. In the upper river, deep-water reservoirs replaced the free–flowing river. This has also caused lower water temperatures and reduced sediment loads. In the lower river, the sandbars are disappearing, and there are now varying degrees of depths. The river is now regulated to reduce water flow in the spring and augment the river flow in the summer and fall.

The drastic changes in the river have lowered populations for many river fish and bird species; some are now even federal or state–listed as endangered species.

As a result of the dam's construction the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation lost 150,000 acres. Standing Rock Reservation lost 55,993 acres. In addition to the land loss, most of the reservations' prime agriculture land was included in the loss.

The changes have had positive impact on the land as well. With the dam in place the Army Corps of Engineers can now control and prevent flooding along the Missouri river. The forming of Lake Oahe has created recreational areas where people can enjoy a variety of activities. The Army Corps of Engineers can also control the water level to aid in the navigation of ships along the river. The damming of the Missouri river has also aiding in irrigation of the surrounding land. Last but not least the Oahe dam provides hydroelectric power to much of the upper central United States.

The first official filling was achieved in April 1962, and all seven generators in the powerhouse were online in 1963. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed and built the dam for flood control, power generation, irrigation, and navigation. The reservoir holds 23.5 million acre-feet of water. President John F. Kennedy officially dedicated it on August 17, 1962.

Power plant Tours:
Tours are given daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tours start at the Visitor Center, with check in at 10:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m, and 4:00 p.m. Plan an hour and a half per tour, and bring a photo ID. Groups of 10 or more should call to schedule a tour. Tours in the off-season by special appointment only. For large groups and off-season tours, please call (605) 224-5862.

There are several signs nearby, please read them all.
To log this Earthcache please answer the following questions:

1. What does the word Oahe mean?
2. According to the historical marker how long is the lake?
3. On the historical marker is a map. What is at point "I"?
4. Who painted the pictures that are displayed near the small shelter?

Please send the answers to me in an email and do not post them in your log. In addition to answering the questions please take a picture of yourself or your GPS with the dam and power plant in the background and post it here.

References: (visit link) (visit link) (visit link)

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all 6 bookmark lists...