Lake Oahe‘s existence is certainly not a secret; It’s the fourth-largest man-made reservoir in the United States, and it just so happens to call the Dakotas home. Lucky us! But though the lake itself is undoubtedly a popular attraction even for those coming from out-of-state – what makes the reservoir just as worthy of checking out and learning about is actually the Lake Oahe Dam, which creates the entire body of water to begin with. Explore Lake Oahe and the fascinating dam that makes it… well, it.

The Oahe Dam is a very large, earthen dam located on the Missouri River.
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It's just north of the town of Pierre, South Dakota, and it's definitely interesting enough for its very own day trip.
The Missouri River has been very important to South Dakota and the surrounding regions for centuries.
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It's some of the best hunting grounds in the United States, too, which makes it quite popular among hunters (and anglers - the fishing's great). The reservoir stretches for an impressive 231 miles.
What creates the reservoir is the dam, itself, which provides electricity for most of the north-central US.
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It serves many purposes, including flood control, irrigation and hydropower. The region is beautiful and the lake only adds to the mystique.
Construction of the dam began in 1948 after being okayed following the Flood Control Act of 1944.
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Interestingly, the world's first-ever rock boring machine was invented for - and used on - this very project. It was the beginning of the end for human tunnelers and a new beginning for heavy machinery and the folks who would operate it. By 1959, the dam had finally reached its full height. It was officially dedicated in 1962.
The Visitor's Center is really fascinating, with lots of educational information and some pretty cool brochures.
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From June 2nd until September 5th, tours are available Wednesday through Saturday starting at 1 p.m. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday.
The dam itself is 245 feet high, and its spillway has a width of 456 feet.
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It's a very, very interesting place to come out and explore; it's worthy of a day trip, especially considering you'll be spending the day near one of the most beautiful lakes in the state.

To learn more about the Lake Oahe Dam, check out the official Oahe Dam Visitor Center website. You’ll learn so much more than you ever thought possible about this particular topic, and you never know – you might just leave with a shiny new passion! If you’re planning on driving out to visit, you might want to check out our awesome road trip essentials packing list.

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Oahe Dam, Fort Pierre, SD 57532, USA