Council Bluff Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Council Bluff Lake |
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 Council Bluff Lake
Location in Missouri
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| Location | Iron County, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 37°43′37″N 90°54′54″W / 37.727°N 90.915°W |
| Surface area | 440 acres (1.8 km2) |
| Max. depth | 87 ft (27 m) |
Council Bluff Lake is a beautiful lake found in the Mark Twain National Forest in Iron County, Missouri. It covers a large area of 440 acres. That's about the size of 330 football fields! Some parts of this lake are very deep, going down 87 feet. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.
The lake was created when the Big River was blocked by a dam. The construction of the Council Bluff Dam started in 1979 and finished in 1981. At that time, it was the biggest earthfill dam ever built by the USDA-Forest Service. It stood 124 feet tall.
| Council Bluff Recreation Area | |
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| Location | Iron / Washington counties, Missouri, USA |
| Nearest city | Belgrade, Missouri, Caledonia, Missouri, Viburnum, Missouri |
| Area | 10,860 acres (43.9 km2) |
| Governing body | USDA-Forest Service |
Fun at Council Bluff Recreation Area
The Council Bluff Recreation Area surrounds the lake. This recreation area is huge, covering 10,860 acres. Money was first set aside for this area in 1967. The main campground, called Wild Boar Campground, opened in 1985.
What Can You Do There?
There are many fun things to do at Council Bluff. You can find boat ramps to launch your boat. There's also a sandy beach called Chapel Hill Beach, which is about 54,000 square feet. It's located on the eastern side of the campground.
A 12-mile long trail, known as the Council Bluff Trail or Lake Shore Trail, goes all the way around the lake. It connects directly to the campground. This trail is great for hiking and mountain biking.
Some of the popular activities at the recreation area include:
When you are boating on the lake, remember that boats must go at "no-wake" speeds. This means they must go slow enough not to create a large wave behind them.
Fishing in the Lake
If you enjoy fishing, Council Bluff Lake is home to several types of fish. You might catch:
The recreation area is also very close to the Bell Mountain Wilderness, offering even more chances to explore nature.
