Lake Niangua facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Niangua |
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 Lake Niangua
Location in Missouri
Lake Niangua
Location in the United States
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| Location | Camden County, Missouri |
| Coordinates | 37°55′55.98″N 92°51′06.18″W / 37.9322167°N 92.8517167°W |
| Type | Hydroelectric reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Niangua River |
| Primary outflows | Niangua River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 360 acres (150 ha) |
Lake Niangua is a 360-acre lake in Missouri, USA. It is a special kind of lake called a hydroelectric reservoir. This means it helps make electricity! The lake is located in southern Camden County, Missouri, right on the Niangua River. It's a great spot for families, with a public area for boats and picnics.
Building the Tunnel Dam
Engineers needed a good spot for a dam. They found a natural cave about 500 feet long. This cave went through a ridge, which was perfect! It separated the river into two parts. In 1911, they changed the cave. This allowed the river to flow through it while the dam was being built. Today, water usually does not flow between the dam and the lake's powerhouse.
How the Dam Makes Electricity
Hydroelectric engineers decided to put a powerhouse at the top end of the tunnel. This powerhouse would use water power to make electricity. In 1930, they moved the powerhouse to the lower end of the tunnel. This was a smart move! It took advantage of a 43-foot drop in water level. The powerhouse has two large machines called turbines. These turbines help create 3 megawatts of power for people living nearby.
Exploring the Lake's Geography
Lake Niangua is only a few feet deep in most places. This means that very large boats cannot easily use this lake. To the north of the lake, there is a steep ridge. This ridge is only a few hundred feet wide. It makes the river travel an extra four miles (6 km) between the dam and the powerhouse. The land around the lake is mostly covered with trees.
