Gavins Point Dam... the place to be 2100 Broadway, Yankton 665-3412 By Derek Bartos The Press & Dakotan In 2011, the Gavins Point area was the place to be. Thanks in part to record amounts of water passing through the dam, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center enjoyed its busiest season ever. “We had 44,935 visitors, and that was the highest number recorded since the visitor center opened in 1976,” said Karla Zeutenhorst, park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Only one other year was the number over 40,000, and that was in 1977 (with 44,766).” The summer months were especially busy, as visitor center traffic increased 160 percent over the previous year for June and 102 percent for July. Spillway traffic was higher as well, with a 145 percent increase in visitors over the previous year from May to August. “Most of the people here were coming up to view the flooding and to see the water coming out the spillway,” Zeutenhorst said. Power plant tours were also up significantly, as the Corps gave 84 tours to 1,688 people in June, compared to 67 tours to 682 people during the same month the year before. In fact, traffic became so heavy the Corps needed to recruit help. “We actually started bringing some of our biologist staff out into the field to help with either traffic control or crowd control down by the spillway area,” Zeutenhorst said. “And around the Fourth of July, we had to recruit folks from other lakes to come out and help us because we’re not set up to handle the types of crowds that we had.” While the flooding has subsided, the higher waters are not a requirement for enjoying the many features of the Gavins Point area. Those stopping by the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center will find displays and exhibits for the entire family, including history about the Lewis and Clark expedition. The area’s natural history is also featured, along with displays of common fish found in the river. The center also covers the history about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its management of the river. An interactive map of the Missouri River dam system details the infrastructure that has resulted in the river as it is known today. Rangers are also on hand to answer any questions. Telescopes, an authentic Sioux tipi and an old riverboat replica are just a few of the additional features of the center. Power plant tours for Gavins Point Dam are also available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with off-season tours available by appointment. For more information, the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center can be contacted at 402-667-2546. WE’RE MORE THAN A GROCERY STORE! Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits • Food Court • Starbucks Health Market • Fuel Center One-Hour Film Processing • Red Box Video Rental Full Service Pharmacy • Post Office Floral Shop • Fishing Licenses OPEN 24 HOURS! R e g i o n ’ s L a r ge s t S e l e c t i o n Region’s Largest Selection Of Unique & Affor dable Of Unique Affordable Accessories & F u r n i t u r e A c c e s s o r i e s Furniture FURNITURE &FLOORING 2 Off Your Check $ (Dine In Only) OPEN Mon-Fri 5pm — Sat & Sun 4pm 804 Summit St., Yankton 47 – VISITORS GUIDE • YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA 109 E. 3rd, Yankton, SD 605-665-4416 www.hatchfurniture.com 605-665-2212