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Entry into the strip on Bus 54 toward dam
Road leading into the BAgnell DAm strip
Competition boat races held annually
View from hotelA Popular Place for family, drinkers and boats
"The Ozarks-used to be Hillbillies-some still there"
This Ozarks Lake is one of the most populated lakes in the Midwest region now. It used to be for families in small cabins and close knit weekend trips. Now the second home buyers and the upper crust have demanded more. They now have condo units all over the place; an estimated 12,000 units on the lake. Some look like they will drop right into the water, they are so close. Boating is the in thing and many have very long and fast boats.
The lake has 1,150 miles of shoreline, one of the longest in the US. It has a dam to provide power to the mid Missouri region and beyond. This lake connects to other large lakes going on toward Kansas City. In total the lake is 95 miles long and goes through narrow gorges, and 650 feet deep near the dam. The lake covers 54,000 acres of water. It was built in 1926-29 to use as hyrdoelectric power, and dedicated August 6, 1929. The dam generates 172 kilowatts of power and serves a lot to St. Louis and Missouri state.
"Condos abound"
Luxury is the new wave down here. A typical condo ranges from $200-300,000 now for small 800 SF unit. The shopping is secondary to the boating and partying on the lake. It is known for the fast boats and drinking. Watch out if you are on a paddle boat, let alone a pontoon boat. A wave will roll you over. It nearly happened to us a couple of occasion and it is scary. Golfing is another activity that has many good courses. Old names in the community of resorts includes Four Seasons, and Tantara; both need some spiffing up to modernize and renovate.
Horney Toad complex is the newest in vogue resort and drinking place to see and bee seen. But that changes form time to time when the crowd ends up somewhere else. It is more up-scale, but well maintained. I was involved with the project when in banking til mid 2008.
"Solitude at its best"
There are a number of small inlets within the outskirts and away from the tourist areas that one can enjoy the Ozarks and also not be as concerned with the boats and noise. There are calmer areas in the lake, but you have to seek them out.
