Medicine Creek Dam facts for kids
The Medicine Creek Dam (also known as National ID # NE01073) is a large structure located in Frontier County, Nebraska. It was built to help control floods and create a beautiful lake for people to enjoy.
Building the Medicine Creek Dam
This impressive dam is made from earth and rock. It was built between 1948 and 1949 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This government agency is in charge of managing water resources.
The dam stands about 165 feet (50 meters) tall. It stretches for an amazing 5,665 feet (1,727 meters) across the land at its top. The main purpose of the dam is to hold back the waters of Medicine Creek. This helps prevent floods in the areas downstream. The Bureau of Reclamation still owns and operates the dam today.
Harry Strunk Lake: A Man-Made Oasis
When the Medicine Creek Dam was built, it created a large body of water called Harry Strunk Lake. This lake is named after Harry Strunk, who was the first editor of the local newspaper, the McCook Daily Gazette.
Harry Strunk Lake covers a surface area of about 1,850 acres (7.5 square kilometers). The total land area around the lake is much larger, at 7,093 acres (28.7 square kilometers). The lake has about 29 miles (47 kilometers) of shoreline, which is a lot of space to explore! It can hold a huge amount of water, about 35,705 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep.
Fun Things to Do at Medicine Creek
Harry Strunk Lake and the areas around it are popular for many outdoor activities. People love to visit for:
- Fishing: The lake is home to many kinds of fish, including walleye, crappie, white bass, and channel catfish.
- Boating: You can enjoy boating on the lake, whether you like to sail, motor, or paddle.
- Camping: There are places where you can set up a tent or park an RV and stay overnight.
- Hiking: Trails are available for walking and exploring the natural beauty of the area.
- Hunting: In designated areas, hunting is allowed during certain seasons.
The state of Nebraska helps take care of the land around the dam and lake. They manage several areas, including the Medicine Creek State Wildlife Recreation Area and the Medicine Creek State Recreation Area. These places ensure that the natural environment is protected and that people have safe places to enjoy the outdoors.
