Truman Reservoir

About Truman Reservoir

There is a visitor center overlooking Truman Lake and an information board documenting the history of the area. A circular window on the wallover offers a view of Truman's Lake and its surroundings, as well as the lake itself. Watch the film reels on a steep slope or look out over the water from the visitor centre's viewing platform.

The Kaysinger Bluff Dam was approved by Congress in 1954 and construction of the Osage River Dam began in 1964. The dam and the resulting reservoir were renamed the Harry S. Truman Reservoir Dam in honor of the former Missouri president. It has, however, given us the opportunity to take a look at what Truman's Lake, the largest reservoir in the United States and the second largest in Missouri, has to offer.

The dam is located 1.5 km north of Warsaw and generates electricity for the South Western Electricity Administration. It is under the control of the US Army Corps of Engineers and is the second largest reservoir in the United States and the largest in Missouri. The reservoir was completed in 1977 and a reservoir with a capacity of 2.2 million cubic metres of water was created.

The Truman Reservoir stretches over a coastline of 958 miles and includes four counties as well as the cities of Warsaw, St. Louis, Kansas City, Missouri and St. Louis County. The Osage River, named after the Osages Indians, flows almost immediately into Lake Ozarks and is the outlet for Truman Lake.

There is plenty of room for boating and water skiing, although boaters are urged to look out for sunken logs and debris. Several tributaries are the Osage River, the St. Louis River and the Missouri River. It is surrounded by a number of canoe and kayak trails to explore, as well as a number of hiking trails and some picnic spots.

The lake is full of cappie and giant shrimps, and its fishing is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. When the lake was seized, more than 8,000 hectares of timber remained standing, creating a large open space for fishing, hunting and other recreational activities. There are a number of lakes and rivers in the area, including the St. Louis River, Osage River and Mississippi River.

It is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and access to Truman Lake is via a private marina on the St. Louis River, south of the Missouri River.

The Kansas City District of the Corps maintains several campgrounds, including the Harry S. Truman Campground and Truman Lake State Park. In addition, 400 hectares of land are available for the use of ATV's and over 1,000 hectares for hiking, cycling and camping.

The Corps has reconstructed several historic buildings that are open to visitors to the Visitor Center. Hooper House, built by John Hoopers and rebuilt in 1984, is open for guided tours on its own.

The Elmore Log Cabin is a replica of a typical cabin from the 1840s and 1950s, and the Osage Valley Heritage Association has moved the Concord Schoolhouse to the visitor center in the town of Quincy. A typical 19th century Missouri school house is located about a mile north of Harry S. Truman Lake.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also organizes open-air memorial days to celebrate life a hundred years ago. Harry S. Truman Lake has a number of historic sites and attractions that delight family and history buffs and are available for guided tours and educational programs.

Harry S. Truman State Park is surrounded on three sides by Truman Lake, and the 1,440-acre park is located on the west side of the lake, north of St. Louis, Missouri. The lake stretches across the border of the prairie in the Ozark and is surrounded by forests and meadows.

Bald eagles used to hibernate in Missouri, now they hibernate at the lake, and there are several breeding pairs that successfully raise chicks in the summer. White - Tailed deer, elk, elk and other wild animals are at home at Truman Reservoir and can be hunted during the season.

Because Truman Lake is so large, it is accessible from several cities, including Warsaw, Fairfield and Clinton. Visitors can have lunch in one of the many restaurants or browse the antique shops and buy souvenirs.

Further along the Osage River, Lake of the Ozarks has many waterfront vacation rentals. There are properties for sale and apartments with lake views in the city and around the lake.

It spans the Osage River and is one of 12 of its kind in Missouri, and it is also the Old Swing Bridge. The suspension bridge, built in 1904, was destroyed by a tornado in 1924, but rebuilt in 1928.

The Lost Valley fish farm is a great day trip from Truman Lake and is the only state-owned hot water breeding ground in Missouri. Construction of the breeding area began in 1997 and was financed by the restoration of sport fish and stocks.

The Missouri Department of Conservation breeds striped perch to fish the state's lakes, and the breeding grounds include Truman Lake Hatchery and the Lost Valley Fish Farm on Harry S. Truman Lake.

Wildflowers, birds and wildlife are found in the countryside and in breeding grounds; hunting is permitted during the season, but not on private land.

Truman Lake is a fantastic destination in the middle of Missouri; its rich history, combined with abundant water for fishing and boating, makes it one of the most popular destinations in the state of Missouri.