TABLE ROCK LAKE

Mr. W's brother and sister-in-law are in Branson.  So today, after church, we decided the weather was too nice to stay inside.  We took a drive to Table Rock lake.  On the way, Mr. W's brother, DWW wanted us to see the fish hatchery.  Sister-in-law, Barb, was not too enthusiastic but off we went.

First stop was the fish hatchery.  They raise rainbow trout here and then release them.  The fish hatchery is by the dam and has a visitors' center that shows a movie periodically to give you all the information you could possibly want on raising rainbow trout.  Who knew????

 

 

 



 

They had rainbow trout from the size of pencils to the size of the big one above.  Each size is kept separately and as they grow, they get to graduate up.  Once they are the right size, they release them into the lake.  Fly fishermen are there trying to pull in a big one.  It really was a pretty sight.  I thought it was interesting to see one of the fish trying its hardest to swim back upstream into the outlet to keep from going into the lake.  Can you see it below?

 

 

Of course, Mr. W and I had to get our picture in this beautiful setting.

 

 

I want you to notice on  the sign that it talks about trout stream ethics.  Did you even know there was a trout stream ethics?  Me neither!  You learn something new everyday.

 

 

 

OK, so now we head to the top of the dam and to see the lake.  There is a Corps of Engineers Visitors' Center right on the lake.  Thank goodness the government is back open so we can visit the Corps of Engineers visitor center.  I saw quite a few butterflies in their flowers so you will see a pic of one. The Visitors' Center has 3 levels and on the back on the building, there is a deck to walk out on and take pics.  The boat you see if the Branson Belle.  You can buy a dinner & cruise show ticket and take a ride on the Branson Belle.  I may do that later in the week.

 

Mr. W and DWW (brother)

 

 

Inside the Visitors' Center were many, many displays on what brought about building the dam, what the dam has done for the area, hydro-electricity, water safety, etc.  There is even a display of the lake/dam system and you get to be the dam operator.  They give you scenerios and then choices and you choose what you would do.  If you choose wrong, they tell you what would happen to the towns/areas downstream.  DWW flooded most of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.  Probably not a good career choice for him! Here are just a couple of displays.

 

 

We left the Visitors' Center and travelled down the road to a scenic overlook.  Really pretty.

 

 

It turned out to be a great afternoon with great sights.  If you have kids, you will REALLY enjoy the visits I made today.  But, kids or no kids, it is worth the visit.