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Recreation, Dams & Hydropower

Fact Sheets

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Prevent invasive species Water Safety Reserve a campsite at USACE campgrounds at Recreation.gov Purchase Navigation and Boating Maps from the Jefferson National Parks Association

Lake Guard App
Test your speed, reflexes and boating knowledge with the Corps' new Lake Guard game app. The free app teaches users about water safety gear and boating hazards preparing them for real life experiences in or around the water.
Learn MoreWater Safety
Missouri River Basin Balancer
The Missouri River Basin Balancer offers insight into the inland waterway of the Missouri River and its system of reservoirs, which are operated with a goal for serving each of the benefits, flood control, navigation, hydropower, irrigation, water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife, and water quality, for which the Mainstem reservoirs were authorized and constructed. Users can take charge of river operations and experience the unique challenges presented when managing reservoir operations in a variety of weather conditions across a geographically diverse basin.
Missouri River Basin Balancer
Picnicing at Gavins Point Project
A group picnics at the Training Dike Recreation area at Gavins Point Project
East Totten Trail Campground
The East Totten Trail Campground is among the several public recreation areas on Lake Sakakawea near Riverdale, N.D.
Chatfield Dam and Lake
Chatfield dam and reservoir are owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps leases 5,381 land and water acres to the State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation to operate Chatfield State Park.
Fort Randall Dam and Lake Francis Case
Lake Francis Case and Fort Randall Dam are located within the rolling plain of the Missouri Plateau, and bordered by rugged bluffs, broken by a complex of eroded canyons and ravines and has become one of the most popular recreation spots in the Great Plains. Fort Randall Dam lies within view of the military post from which it takes its name. The name of the original fort honored Colonel Daniel W. Randall, one-time deputy paymaster of the Army.
Dam and Hydropower projects are part of what makes the Corps the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. The Omaha District has several lake and river projects providing diverse recreational opportunities.
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Visitors of all ages can enjoy traditional activities like hiking, boating, fishing, camping and hunting, and for those slightly more adventurous there is snorkeling, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and geo-caching. Regardless of your favorite outdoor activity one thing is certain, recreation enriches people's lives. A visit to an Army Corps of Engineers' recreation area can strengthen family ties and friendships; create unforgettable memories and connect people to nature that will last a lifetime.
 
Between 1932 and 1957, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built six main stem dams and many smaller dams along Missouri River tributaries. These, along with a system of federal and private levees, reduce flooding risks for urban and agricultural property and lives throughout the Missouri River watershed. The Omaha District estimates that this system has prevented an estimated billions in damages in today's dollars.
 
Many of these projects, which were built primarily for navigation, flood control or other purposes, are also used for hydropower production. The Corps is the Nation's largest single producer of hydroelectricity. Nationwide, the Corps operates 75 hydropower projects, housing 349 generator units with a total capacity of 20.7 million kilowatts, or about 3.5 percent of the Nation's total electric power production.

Recreation Area News Releases

  • Corps extends deadline for Missouri River Mainstem Water Reallocation study to Oct. 12

    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.

  • Day-use fees waived for National Public Lands Day, Sept. 29

    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.

  • Missouri River Mainstem Water Reallocation study deadline ends Sept. 28

    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.

  • Comment period extended for Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir Surplus Water Reports

    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.

  • New relief wells to be installed at Cherry Creek

    The Drill Crew Unit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, will be performing drilling work at Cherry Creek Dam in Arapahoe County, Colorado over the next four to five weeks. The Corps will install 12 to 14 new relief wells immediately downstream of the dam embankment adjacent to Interstate 225.