Branson Area Lakes
Friday, September 26th, 2008
SUNSET SCOOP
Hi. It’s time for another…SUNSET SCOOP. This SUNSET SCOOP contains information about Branson area lakes. Be sure and let me know if you would like additional information on the lakes in our area or any other subjects.
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Did you know that there are three fabulous lakes in the Branson area?
Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake. Between the three lakes there are 1,785 miles of shoreline. The lakes are stocked with bass, trout, crappie, catfish and other species and are prime sites for water sports.
Table Rock Lake
Designed, built and operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Table Rock Dam and Lake has become a paradise for boaters, scuba divers, campers and fishermen alike. Camping enthusiasts are treated to thirteen Corps of Engineers operated campgrounds located adjacent to Table Rock Lake. Full service marinas operate on Table Rock Lake at various locations to provide service and convenience to boaters. Over 100 resorts are located adjacent to Table Rock Lake and provide visitors with numerous water-related activities. For those visitors who do not want to operate a boat but still want to experience the beauty of the area from the water, five commercial boat cruises or rides operate on Table Rock Lake.
Nature enthusiasts and hunters enjoy using the public land surrounding Table Rock Lake which includes portions of the Mark Twain National Forest.
New Docks
With Table Rock Lake being one of the front-runners when it comes to development for the Corps, there is a limited amount of space left for new docks to be put on the lake. Anyone interested in adding a boat dock, needs to visit the Corps’ Web site and view the shoreline zoning map. There is a list of requirements and an inspection must be done before there is any guarantee of a dock permit. However, currently the only new boat dock permits being issued at Table Rock Lake are for a minimum of 12 slips and a maximum of 20.
Shoreline
It is important to know that Table Rock shoreline is government property. There is an uneven line around the lake that marks the government property. This is to protect the unspoiled natural and scenic beauty of the shoreline. No modification of the government property is allowed without a permit. One can request permission to make a footpath to the lake, remove small brush, and mow on government property. The first step is to fill out a Vegetation Modification Permit to conduct the desired activities and then mailing or presenting, in person, the application to the Table Rock Lake Project Office. There are some activities expressly prohibited on government land such as burning, using a vehicle, placing of personal property, and the use of chemicals. Also, one may not trim or cut trees (live or dead) unless the Project Office has granted permission.
For more information:
US Army Corps of Engineers
4600 State Highway 165
Branson, Missouri
65616-8980
Phone: (417) 334-4101
Fax: (417) 334-4169
Email: ceswl-tr@usace.army.mil
www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/tablerock
Lake Taneycomo
Activities on and around Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri include boating, sailing, hunting, hiking, scuba diving, and, of course, fishing. Public full-service marinas provide boats, motors, guides, tackle and pontoons for relaxing and fun filled days. Lake Taneycomo flows right past historic downtown Branson and Branson Landing.
Although technically a lake, it has the look and feel of a river. Since the completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958, the physiology of the lake changed to a cold water fishery. Lake Taneycomo now has a reputation as one of the finest trout fishing reservoirs in the nation. The cold, clear water combined with the Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery has made it the perfect spot for rainbow and brown trout. About 80% of the 1,200,000 trout raised at the hatchery each year are released into Taneycomo.
History: Lake Taneycomo (short for Taney County Missouri) was created in 1913 when the White River was captured by the newly constructed “Power Site” Dam, near Forsyth, Missouri. The completion of Table Rock Dam in 1958, 22 miles upstream, created a southern boundary for the Lake which now consists of over 2,080 surface acres. Unlike the Table Rock and Bull Shoals Dams and Lakes, which are owned by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Power Site Dam is privately owned by Empire Electric Company. This company holds a license to continue operating the Dam and its hydroelectric plant until 2022.
From 1913 until 1958 Taneycomo was a “warm water” lake, but when Table Rock Dam started feeding Taneycomo, the water coming through the “power generators” was significantly lower in temperature. Virtually overnight, a “cold water” fishery was created. To take advantage of this change, the Missouri Department of Conservation constructed the “Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery” at the foot of the Dam.
Lake Bull Shoals
Bull Shoals Lake is a water sports paradise. Almost 1,000 miles of pristine shoreline is open to visitors from all over the nation who come to fish, scuba dive, houseboat, water ski, wake board, camp, and relax. Bull Shoals Lake water is very clean and clear. Swimming is enjoyable from mid May until late September. Fishing on Bull Shoals Lake is excellent all year with peak action in March, April, and May.
Marinas on Bull Shoals Lake have boats and motors for rent, supplies for sale, and guides for hire. The Corps of Engineers provides launching areas and ramps for those who bring their own boats. Water sports such as swimming and skiing are popular on Bull Shoals Lake, as is cruising the hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves by motorboat or sailboat. Scuba divers come to Bull Shoals from many states to enjoy their sport in the clear, blue water. Spearfishing is enjoyed year-round.
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We look forward to continue to work with you on your real estate needs. Call us toll free at 1-866-804-8361 and don’t forget our websites at www.SunsetRealtyServices.com and www.SunsetNightlyRentals.com. You can also text or call me, Dustin Hall, at 417-699-1070. If sending a text, you can either text from your phone or send from the attached Alltel link. http://www.alltel.com/wps/portal/AlltelPublic/SendATextMessage
Dustin Hall
Broker/Owner
Dustin@SunsetRealtyServices.com


















