Primary inflows Area 146 ha | Primary outflows Niangua River Surface area 360 acres (150 ha) Outflow location Niangua River | |
Type Hydroelectric reservoir | ||
Lake Niangua is a 360-acre (1.5 km2) hydroelectric lake in southern Camden County, Missouri, USA, on the Niangua River. The lake has a public access with a boat ramp and picnic area.
Contents
- Map of Lake Niangua Missouri USA
- History of the Tunnel DamEdit
- HydroelectricityEdit
- Geography of the LakeEdit
- References
Map of Lake Niangua, Missouri, USA
History of the Tunnel DamEdit
The site for the tunnel dam was chosen because a 500-foot (150 m) long cave was found that extended ridge separating the upper and lower bents of the river. In 1911, the cave was then modified so the river flowed through it during dam construction. There is usually no water running between the dam and the lake's powerhouse.
HydroelectricityEdit
Hydroelectric engineers then placed a powerhouse at the upper end of the tunnel for hydroelectricity. In 1930, the powerhouse was moved to the lower end of the tunnel taking advantage of the 43-foot (13 m) drop. The powerhouse has two turbines. The hydroelectric equipment provides 3 megawatts of power for nearby residents.
Geography of the LakeEdit
The lake is only a few feet deep so larger boats are not able to access this lake. To the north there is a steep ridge that is only a few hundred feet wide, this ridge makes the river go an extra four miles (6 km) between the dam and the powerhouse. The shoreline is almost entirely wooded around the lake.