Lake Sharpe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Sharpe |
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Lake Sharpe behind Big Bend Dam
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 Lake Sharpe
Location in South Dakota
Lake Sharpe
Location in the United States
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| Location | South Dakota, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°03′06″N 99°27′08″W / 44.05167°N 99.45222°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Missouri River |
| Primary outflows | Missouri River |
| Catchment area | 249,330 sq mi (645,800 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 80 miles (130 km) |
| Surface area | 56,884 acres (23,020 ha) |
| Max. depth | 78 ft (24 m) |
| Water volume | 1,910,000 acre⋅ft (2.36 km3) |
| Shore length1 | 200 mi (320 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,444 ft (440 m) |
| Islands | Farm Island and La Framboise Island, near Pierre |
| Settlements | Pierre, Ft. Pierre, Ft. Thompson, and Lower Brule, South Dakota |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Sharpe is a big lake in central South Dakota, United States. It's actually a reservoir, which is a man-made lake created by building a dam. Lake Sharpe was formed by the Big Bend Dam on the Missouri River.
This lake is about 80 mi (130 km) long and has a shoreline of 200 mi (320 km). It covers an area of 56,884 acres (230.20 km2) and can be as deep as 78 ft (24 m). Lake Sharpe is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States. It stretches from near Fort Thompson all the way upstream to the Oahe Dam, which is close to Pierre.
Contents
Building Lake Sharpe
Work on the Big Bend Dam started in 1959. This dam created Lake Sharpe. The lake was named after Merrill Q. Sharpe, who was the 17th Governor of South Dakota. A governor is the leader of a state government.
Amazing Animals of Lake Sharpe
Lake Sharpe is home to many different kinds of animals, both in the water and on land.
Fish in the Lake
You can find many types of fish swimming in Lake Sharpe. Some of the popular ones include:
- Walleye
- Sauger
- Smallmouth bass
- Channel catfish
- Flathead catfish
- Northern pike
- White bass
- Yellow perch
- Black crappie
- Rainbow trout
The most popular fish for fishing in Lake Sharpe is the walleye. Walleye mostly eat gizzard shad, which are smaller fish.
Wildlife on Land
Around the lake, you might spot large animals like:
- Whitetail deer
- Mule deer
- Elk
- Bison
- Coyotes
- Wild turkeys
Many birds also live near Lake Sharpe, especially waterfowl (birds that live on water) and upland game birds. These include:
- Ducks
- Geese
- Pheasants
- Prairie chickens
- Grouse
Fun Things to Do at Lake Sharpe
There are over 80,000 acres of public land and water around Lake Sharpe for everyone to enjoy.
Recreation Areas
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks helps take care of several places where people can have fun and launch their boats. Two popular spots right on the lake are:
- West Bend Recreation Area
- Farm Island State Recreation Area
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also looks after recreation areas and wildlife spots near the Big Bend Dam. One of these is the Left Tailrace Campground, where you can go camping.
Nearby Reservations
A large part of the western side of Lake Sharpe is within the Lower Brule Indian Reservation. On the eastern side of the lake, you'll find the Crow Creek Indian Reservation.
