Lake Sakakawea is a large man-made reservoir in North Dakota created by the US Army Corps of Engineers to control flooding of the Missouri River. It attracts boaters, fishermen, and swimmers and is also a source of hydroelectric energy. The lake is named after a 16-year-old Indian guide who aided Lewis and Clark in their exploration. The lake is nearly 180 miles long and covers an area of over 365,000 acres. Visitors can also stop at nearby attractions including the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, and Sakakawea Scenic Byway.
Lake Sakakawea is a large man-made lake, also referred to as a reservoir, in North Dakota, and only two other reservoirs in the United States are larger. It was created when the US Army Corps of Engineers built Garrison Dam to try to control flooding of the Missouri River, a multi-year project that was completed in 1953. The lake’s name comes from the name of a 16-year-old Indian guide. who aided explorers Lewis and Clark in their exploration of the wilderness in the early 1800s. Her name is also sometimes spelled Sacagawea. Many of the sites where early explorers camped are under the water of Lake Sakakawea.
Despite its creation for infrastructure purposes, Lake Sakakawea attracts boaters, fishermen and swimmers. The $294 million dam that created the reservoir, which is located about 50 miles (80.46 kilometers) from the state capital of Bismarck and one mile (1.60 kilometers) from Pick City, helps control the waters of full of the river, it helps irrigation and is also a source of hydroelectric energy. When Lake Sakakawea was built, it displaced an Indian reservation, who moved in and established a new community called New Town.
Lake Sakakawea is nearly 180 miles (289.68 kilometers) long and covers an area of over 365,000 acres (1,477.10 square kilometers). At its widest, the lake measures 14 miles (22.53 kilometers) across and 1 mile (1.60 kilometers) at its narrowest. The depth of the lake ranges from 70 feet (21.33 meters) to more than 170 feet (51.81 meters). Anglers can find a variety of species in the lake, including salmon, trout, largemouth bass and crappie.
Lake Sakakawea State Park is on the south side of the reservoir. The park has a marina, fishing guides, boat rentals, and storage areas. Visitors to the lake can also stop at nearby attractions including the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Sakakawea Scenic Byway, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, and tours of a power plant and mine of coal.
Sakakawea’s memory and courage are not honored with the name of the reservoir alone. The United States Mint began producing a gold dollar coin in 2000 with his likeness, and a statue of him was erected in Bismarck. Lewis and Clark recognized the value of her skill to their businesses, but when it came time to make payment, it was given to her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau. She received land, approximately 320 acres (1.29 square kilometers), and $500 US dollars (USD).
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