Truman Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harry S. Truman Reservoir |
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| Truman Lake | |
Harry S. Truman Dam
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 Harry S. Truman Reservoir
Location in Missouri
Harry S. Truman Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Benton / Henry / Hickory / St. Clair counties, Missouri, US |
| Coordinates | 38°15′47″N 93°24′17″W / 38.26306°N 93.40472°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Osage River |
| Primary outflows | Osage River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 55,600 acres (225 km2), or 200,000 acres (810 km2) at flood stage |
| Water volume | 5,000,000 acre⋅ft (6.2 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 706 feet (215 m) above sea level. |
The Harry S. Truman Reservoir, also known as Truman Lake, is a large lake in the state of Missouri, United States. It sits between the towns of Clinton and Warsaw, on the Osage River. The lake stretches south all the way to Osceola. While the main dam is in Benton County, the lake itself reaches into parts of Henry, St. Clair, and Hickory counties.
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Why Was Truman Lake Built?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built and now manages Truman Lake and its dam. The main reason for building this huge lake was to control floods. It also helps generate electricity, provides a place for fun activities, and protects wildlife.
How Truman Lake Got Its Name
Construction on the lake began in August 1964. It was first called Kaysinger Bluff Dam and Reservoir in 1954. But in 1970, the Congress decided to rename it. They chose Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir to honor Harry S. Truman, a former U.S. president who was from Missouri. The project was finally finished in 1979.
The original name, Kaysinger, came from a tall cliff called Kaysinger Bluff. This bluff was a well-known spot even before the dam was built. It overlooked where the South Grand River, Tebo Creek, and the Osage River met. Today, the visitor center sits on top of this bluff.
Building the Lake: A Big Project
Creating Truman Lake was a huge job that took many years. It involved careful planning and buying land from many people. New bridges had to be built, and old ones were taken down. Some roads, towns, and even cemeteries had to be moved to higher ground. One of the first big tasks was moving Route 13 so it would be above the lake's highest water level.
The rising water levels also caused some changes for railroads. The Frisco Railroad's "Highline" had to close because the tracks near Osceola and Deepwater were cut off. The railroad decided it wasn't worth the money to move those tracks. However, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad did move its main line between La Due and Clinton. This project included building five miles of new track and a special causeway and bridge over the lake.
Visiting Truman Lake: What to See and Do
Truman Lake is a popular spot for many activities. You can learn about the area's history and nature, or just enjoy the outdoors.
Harry S. Truman Regional Visitor Center
The Harry S. Truman Regional Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit. It has exhibits that teach you about the history of Truman Lake, the local environment, and how the dam was built. You can also learn about how the powerhouse works and the role of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The center has a small theater where you can watch videos about wildlife, history, and water safety. From the observation deck, you get amazing views of Truman Lake and even part of the nearby Lake of the Ozarks. You can also see the dam from here.
Harry S. Truman State Park
Harry S. Truman State Park is located right on a piece of land that sticks out into Truman Lake in Benton County, Missouri. It's a perfect place to enjoy nature and the lake.
Harry S. Truman Dam: Key Facts
The Harry S. Truman Dam is a big structure that helps control the lake's water.
- Dam Type: It's made of concrete and earth in two main parts.
- Total Length: The dam is about 5,964 feet (1,818 meters) long.
- Concrete Section: The concrete part is about 964 feet (294 meters) long.
- Earth Section: The earth part stretches for about 5,000 feet (1,524 meters).
- Height: It stands about 126 feet (38 meters) above the river bed.
- Spillway: The spillway, which lets out extra water, is 190 feet (58 meters) long and has four sections.
- Tainter Gates: There are 4 large tainter gates that control water flow.
- Turbines: Six turbines help generate electricity, each rated at 160 megawatts.
Images for kids
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Harry S. Truman Dam
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Two of the four large tainter gates at Harry S. Truman Dam
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A map and brochure showing the shape and location of the lake
