Long Branch State Park

Long Branch State Park is a public recreation area occupying 1,828 acres (740 ha) adjacent to the Long Branch Reservoir in Macon County, Missouri. The state park consists of three units located some two miles west of Macon, Missouri on U.S. Highway 36.

Long Branch State Park
Long Branch Lake Visitor Center
Map showing the location of Long Branch State Park
Map showing the location of Long Branch State Park
Location in Missouri
Map showing the location of Long Branch State Park
Map showing the location of Long Branch State Park
Long Branch State Park (the United States)
LocationMacon County, Missouri, United States
Coordinates39°46′18″N 92°31′46″W
Area1,828.47 acres (7.3996 km2)[1]
Elevation791 ft (241 m)[2]
Established1983[3]
Visitors510,354 (in 2017)[1]
Governing bodyMissouri Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteLong Branch State Park

History

Flooding along the Little Chariton River was an ongoing problem for the residents of Macon County and elsewhere in northeast Missouri since the area was first settled in the 1830s. Extensive channelization of the main Chariton River by private entities, local governments, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while alleviating flooding issues in some areas, exacerbated them for others.[4] Long Branch Dam was authorized by Congress in 1965 as a multi-purpose project for water supply, flood control, recreation, downstream water quality and fish/wildlife management. Construction began in 1973 and the dam was placed into operation in 1980.[5]

Aerial view of Long Branch Lake and dam. Macon City Lake is the smaller body of water in the background.

Long Branch Lake is the reservoir created by the dam, with about 24 miles of shoreline and a flood-control capacity of 98,000 acre-feet. In addition to the adjacent state-run state park, the dam has a visitors center at its southern end, and the Atlanta State Wildlife Area at its northern end near Atlanta, Missouri.

Long Branch State Park was created by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 1983 after reaching a long term lease agreement with the Corps of Engineers for use of the land.[3]

Activities and Amenities

The state park features a wide variety of outdoor activities including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing,[6] hiking trails,[7] picnicking facilities,[8] three boat ramps, marina, and camping area.[9] The large public acreage surrounding the lake provide opportunities for viewing white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and migratory waterfowl.[10]

References
  1. "Long Branch State Park: Data Sheet" (PDF). Missouri Department of Natural Resources. November 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  2. "Long Branch Dam". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  3. "State Park Land Acquisition Summary". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  4. A Book of Adair County History. Kirksville, Missouri: Kirksville-Adair County Bicentennial Committee. 1976.
  5. "Long Branch Lake". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Kansas City District. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  6. "Fishing at Long Branch State Park". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  7. "Trails at Long Branch State Park". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  8. "Picnic area at Long Branch State Park". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  9. In May 2012 free Wi-Fi access was added to the campground and select other areas of Long Branch State Park. Doogs, Brian (June 24, 2012). "Park gets high-tech with improvements". KTVO-TV. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  10. "Long Branch State Park". Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
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