Oahe Dam, Hydroelectric power station in Pierre, South Dakota, United States.
The Oahe Dam is a massive earthen structure stretching across the Missouri River with gates and spillways that manage water flow. Seven turbines inside the powerhouse convert the water's force into electricity for local and regional use.
Work on the dam began in 1948 and took more than a decade to complete using enormous amounts of earth and rock. President Kennedy attended the dedication ceremony in 1962, marking its official opening.
The name comes from an 1874 mission established by the Lakota Sioux in this area. Today the reservoir is a gathering place for fishing and boating, shaping how people spend their time along the water.
Tours of the powerhouse are offered during summer months and provide a look inside how electricity is produced. It is best to arrive early, as parking can be limited on busy days.
The reservoir created behind the dam is one of America's largest bodies of water formed this way, stretching far north. This enormous lake has become a defining feature of the landscape across two states.
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