Omaha District News Releases

Temporary recreation area closures, service reductions begin May 1 across USACE Omaha District

Press Operations — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:54:14 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, will temporarily close or reduce services at multiple recreation areas across Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana beginning May 1, 2025.

Crest Road at Gavins Point Dam closed Wednesday, Dec. 1 for maintenance

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:25:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announced that Crest Road at Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m.to 3:30 p.m. for maintenance. Visitors are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.

Generator maintenance will result in water releases through spillway gates at Gavins Point Dam

Press Operations — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:35:24 GMT

Maintenance on the generators at Gavins Point Powerplant near Yankton, South Dakota, will result in the need to release water through the spillway gates through Sept. 30.

Gavins Point spillway flow forecast during archery paddlefish season

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 01:34:31 GMT

Completion of work being done on a generator at Gavins Point Dam, near Yankton, SD, will allow spillway gates to be closed near the start of archery paddlefish season. The work, which included repairs on the turbines, will be completed ahead of schedule on May 31. As soon as the generator has been checked, and is cleared to return the service, the spillway gates will be closed. Pending any unforeseen problems, the unit is expected to be returned to service on Thursday, June 3rd.

Crest Road Closed Monday, May 24 for maintenance

Press Operations — Fri, 21 May 2021 20:04:29 GMT

The road that crosses Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, also known as Crest Road, will be closed Monday, May 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for maintenance. People are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.

Crest Road at Gavins Point Dam closed May 11 for maintenance

Press Operations — Mon, 10 May 2021 16:17:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announced that the road that crosses Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, SD, also known as Crest Road, will be closed Tuesday, May 11 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. for maintenance. People are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.

Gavins Point Dam powerplant generators will be shut down for inspection

Press Operations — Fri, 07 May 2021 19:33:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District announces that all three generators at the Gavins Point Dam powerplant near Yankton, South Dakota, will be shut down to allow for the underwater inspection of the draft tube gate slots on the downstream side of the powerplant. During this outage, all 14 spillway gates will be open to meet the authorized purposes downstream.

Construction project begins below Gavins Point Dam

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 14:46:00 GMT

YANKTON, S.D. – A large construction contract has begun in the area below Gavins Point Dam along Lake Yankton. The project is to connect relief wells, which are at the bottom, or “toe” of the dam, that are designed to relieve excess water pressure on the earthen structure. There are 75 relief wells and numerous discharges into Lake Yankton. Of those 75 relief wells, 31 will be connected into three main discharges. This will allow for a more controlled discharge. Once the main discharges are installed, the ground will be backfilled with dirt to cover the discharge pipes and prevent any erosion.

Spillway gate and generator maintenance will cause water releases throughout October’s paddlefish season

Press Operations — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 22:27:30 GMT

Anglers in the area for paddlefish snagging season will have some short disruptions due to spillway gate maintenance at Gavins Point Dam, near Yankton, SD, through October 16. The maintenance will require water to flow from a single gate several times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time. Beginning October 19, when upgrades are scheduled for generators, multiple spillway gates will remain open 24 hours a day.

Crest Road closed Tuesday, Dec. 1 for maintenance

Press Operations — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 17:13:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gavins Point Dam announced that the road that crosses the dam near Yankton, S.D., also known as Crest Road, will be closed Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for maintenance. People are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.

Crest Road closed Monday and Tuesday

Press Operations — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:26:00 GMT

YANKTON, S.D. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday that Crest Road will be closed Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for bridge inspections; motorists should plan on taking alternate routes during the closure.

Lewis and Clark Visitor Center opens with modifications

Press Operations — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:14:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at Gavins Point Project will open Tuesday to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No thru traffic on Crest Road July 9

Press Operations — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:24:00 GMT

The spillway and powerplant road across Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, will be closed from 9 a.m. through 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, for maintenance. This will prohibit thru traffic on the road that crosses Gavins Point Dam, also known as Crest Road. People are asked to take alternate routes during the closure.

No through traffic on Crest Road Wednesday

Press Operations — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 19:12:19 GMT

The spillway and powerplant roadway at Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, will be closed Wedensday from 8 a.m. to noon for maintenance. This will prohibit through traffic on the road that crosses Gavins Point Dam, also known as the Crest Road.

Santee boat ramp to reopen Friday

Press Operations — Thu, 28 May 2020 17:46:56 GMT

The Santee boat ramp, near Santee, Nebraska, will reopen Friday.

Crest Road across Gavins Point spillway closed Tuesday May 19

Press Operations — Mon, 18 May 2020 16:03:00 GMT

The spillway and intake deck on the Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota will be closed from 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, May 19. This will prohibit through traffic on the road that crosses Gavins Point Dam, also known as the Crest Road.

Boat ramp near Santee closed

Press Operations — Fri, 08 May 2020 22:28:00 GMT

In coordination with the Santee Sioux Tribe, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed boat ramp in the vicinity of Santee will be closed effective today. The closure will assist local efforts in combating the spread of COVID-19 within the local communities and will remain in effect until May 27, 2020.

Crest Road closing Tuesday

Press Operations — Fri, 01 May 2020 20:19:00 GMT

The road that crosses Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, also known as Crest Road, will be closed Tuesday, May 5 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for road maintenance. People are asked to plan on taking alternate routes during the closure.

Road across Gavins Point Dam temporarily closing March 31

Press Operations — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:43:00 GMT

Crest Road crossing Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, will close for an extended period to allow contractors to re-seal the monolith (expansion) joints in the powerhouse. The road will close at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, and will be closed for approximately four weeks.

Corps closes visitor centers, suspends tours

Press Operations — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 17:02:00 GMT

Due to health and safety precautions regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus), all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Omaha District Visitor Centers will be closed and all public group tours and events and have been cancelled until further notice.