Lake of the Ozarks Bagnell Dam
The Bagnell Damm in the Ozark region of Missouri holds back the mighty waters of the Osage River to create the massive Lake of the Ozarks. In addition to creating a wonderland of outdoor activities, scenic marvels, and providing irrigation for the region's booming agricultural industries, the Bagnell Dam also creates clean safe electricity for much of the state of Missouri through the Osage Power Plant.
First conceived in 1912, construction on the dam began in 1929. The work took nearly two years to complete and is considered to be one of the great engineering marvels of the early twentieth century. The dam was built by 20,000 workers who labored day and night for the entire two years during which it was constructed. At 148 feet tall and stretching nearly half a mile across, the dam itself has become one of the Ozark regions most popular tourist attractions. The Bagnell Dam holds approximately 650 billion gallons of water behind it.
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Bagnell Dam at Lake of the Ozarks -- Continue
The Bagnell dam was built and named after the the town of Bagnell which in turn was named after its founder, William Bagnell. The town preceded the dam and disappeared under the waters of the Lake of the Ozarks after the reservoir was filled and completed in 1931. Originally designed to have thirteen massive spillways, the builders instead opted for twelve in order to avoid any sort of bad luck which might result from use of the unlucky number.
The dam generates power for a sizable number of the state's inhabitants by channeling water into narrow pipes which is then used to spin the eight massive turbines that in turn create the electricity of the region. The power is then carried to residents via the power line grid.
The Lake of the Ozarks has become Missouri's premier vacation destination as a result of the Bagnell Dam. The shoreline stretches 97 miles and has a surface area of more than 55,000 acres thus creating the perfect spot for boating, fishing, and water activities. Nature enthusiasts love to see the Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, and more than fifty varieties of birds that call the area around the dam their home. The shoreline stretches over 1,100 miles and is host to state parks, national forest land, and nearly a dozen charming towns.
Activities on and around the lake include boating, fishing, para sailing, jet skiing, swimming, sunbathing, hiking, horseback riding, and more. A number of annual festivals bring world class musical acts, great performances, and interesting cultural activities to the region around the Bagnell Dam. From the dam itself, visitors can find amazing views and a sense of awe at this incredible man made structure.