More Dams- Gavins Point

Tailwaters Campground at Gavins Point was our stop after Garrison Dam. Gavins Point is the last major dam on the Missouri and is just south of Yankton, SD on the SD/NE line. It was the second one built as part of the Pick-Sloan Plan and has the smallest lake - Lewis & Clark Lake. Again, it was built for hydroelectric power, navigation and water management/ irrigation. We arrived at the Tailwaters Campground after a quick stop in Yakton at Walmart for one of their rotisserie chickens to have for dinner and some staples (bread && milk and I just had to include a lemon cake). Tailwaters is of course on the downstream side of the dam (tail?)- but it is called tailwaters instead of downstream because it is situated right below the actual dam along the waters that flow out from the dam. The area is a fisherman's paradise because there is so much food that comes through the gates the big fish just congregate along the concrete walls to feed. There are so many they swim over each other- it is a real site to see. I tried to take some pictures show the melee but the contrast is not enough for you to actually see much of the fish.

Gavins Point was different from the other sites we had been previously because the spillway, powerplant and inlet gates were all built as one unit on the south end of the earthen dam. The inlet wicket gates were always open allowing water to turn the turbines, so they were generating electricity 24/7. The lake was just over the spillway and while we ere there, it was windy enough that the Lewis and Clark Lake waters were being pushed over the spillway gates. We went on the powerplant tour this time and there was quite a bit of difference in the actual generators at Gavins Point (2nd dam built) and Ft. Peck (1st dam built) in both heat generated and noise. Again, if you ahve the chance- take advantage of some of the dam tours- they are very educational and you learn quite a bit about how dams are constructed as well as hydroelectricity and its generation.

The Tailwaters Campground had about 33 spots with electricity, half reservable. There were an additional 15 or so primitive sites- and all of sties in the campground were strung along the side of the Missouri river just below the powerhouse a you can see from the first picture above. The bugs were horrible when we got there and since we were not in the open, the breezes were diminished. the view was wonderful though and we could watch the construction going on across the river using the Put America Back to Work money- they were expanding the baot ramp parking and paving all of the roads. The one thing we have noticed is that most of the Corp parks have been run down since budgets have been tight and no one really likes to appropriate money to the park service for "fun" when people are out of work, homeless and starving (but Congress will always find money for their pet pork barrel projects- but that is another issue). Now most have some type of improvement project in the works, especially if they are associated with a hydroelectric dam.

We spent time looking for the elusive front passenger fender for a jeep CJ- but to no avail. Seems that all of the really god stuff got crushed last year when steel reached one of its all time highs. That never makes Bruce happy wIen he hear that explanation- but it is what it is. Walmart saw us several times (i should buy stock in that place as much as we spent in that place on this trip - oh right, I have some of that stock.) We drove over the dam whenever possible- it jsut fascinated us. There was a one way road behind the powerhouse that went right over the intl gates and through the overhead crane used to pick them up when necessary. It was controlled by a light- so you never met anyone in the wrong place.As you drove up to the dam, you passed a lovely overlook that was filled with crab apples. I think it was the first time Bruce ahd seen those baby apples and of course he had to taste one- they were still sour, even though they were ripe. The trees are really beautiful- may have to think about putting one or two i when we get back home (Uhoh - more work for Bruce in the yard- he just loves cutting around different growing things!) The other fascinating part of the dams for us are the Godzilla training sites. You can almost imagine him stopping through tearing up everything. You can see the sparks flying and electrical lines tumbling - but not now- now they are pristine and doing their job of bumping up the voltage of the generated electricity to the high voltage needed for transportation over the lines.

Enough about Gavins Point - it was a nice place and we will proably come back to visit- although we will stay at Cottonwood- the Corp park on the downstream side of the dam on Lake Yankton (the lake created when they diverted the Missouri to build the dam). The sites are more open, they get the breezes and there is plenty of room to walk Hazel and to let her play with her fake frisbee.