Long Branch State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long Branch State Park |
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Long Branch Lake Visitor Center
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 Long Branch State Park
Location in Missouri
Long Branch State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Macon, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 1,828.47 acres (7.3996 km2) |
| Elevation | 791 ft (241 m) |
| Established | 1983 |
| Visitors | 510,354 (in 2017) |
| Governing body | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Long Branch State Park |
Long Branch State Park is a fun place for outdoor activities in Macon County, Missouri. It's a public park that covers about 1,828 acres. The park is right next to the Long Branch Reservoir, also known as Long Branch Lake.
You can find the park about two miles west of Macon, Missouri. It's located along U.S. Highway 36 and is made up of three different sections.
Park History
For many years, people living in Macon County had problems with flooding. The Little Chariton River would often overflow its banks. This had been happening since the 1830s when people first settled in the area.
To help stop the flooding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started building the Long Branch Dam. Congress approved this project in 1965. The dam was designed to do many things:
- Control floods
- Provide water for communities
- Offer places for recreation
- Improve water quality
- Help fish and wildlife
Construction on the dam began in 1973 and it started working in 1980.
Long Branch Lake is the large body of water created by the dam. It has about 24 miles of shoreline. The lake can hold a huge amount of water, which helps prevent floods. Besides the state park, there's also a visitor center at the south end of the dam. At the north end, near Atlanta, Missouri, you'll find the Atlanta State Wildlife Area.
Long Branch State Park officially opened in 1983. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources manages the park. They made a long-term agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to use the land for the park.
Things to Do and See
Long Branch State Park offers many exciting outdoor activities for visitors. It's a great place to spend time with family and friends.
Some of the popular activities include:
- Boating on Long Branch Lake
- Swimming in designated areas
- Water skiing
- Fishing for various types of fish
- Hiking on scenic trails
- Having picnics at special picnic spots
The park also has useful facilities like three boat ramps, a marina, and a camping area.
If you enjoy watching wildlife, you're in luck! The large natural areas around the lake are home to many animals. You might spot:
- White-tailed deer
- Wild turkeys
- Various types of migratory waterfowl (birds that fly south for winter)
