Where is gavins point

The next dam upstream is the Fort Randall Dam. The stretch of the Missouri immediately downstream of Gavins Point Dam is the only significant section of non-channelized meandering stream on the lower portion of the river. This federally designated Wild and Scenic River is among the last free-flowing stretches of the Missouri; it exhibits the islands, bars, chutes, and snags that once characterized the "Mighty Mo".

The dam has a hydroelectric plant with three generators, each having a nameplate capacity of 44, kW, for a total of Brokaw was once a tour guide at the dam.

The release was more than twice the previous record set in The map shows dams and reservoirs built in the Pick—Sloan Program since the s. Be the first to add a review to the Gavins Point Dam. Problem with this listing? Let us know. US Nebraska Crofton. Add to Trip. Edit Place Force Sync. Add Review. Reviewed by hunterboy. March 10, Hours not available.

See More Details 1. Nearby Hotels. I've had good luck for other raptors below the dam as well. Red-tailed Hawks are also commonly found in the trees below the dam. Snowy Owls have been spotted on the dam itself in the winter unfortunately, not by me!! Another big attraction for birders in the area is the potential for rare gulls. The biggest congregation of Gulls I've ever seen in my life was one December, on Lewis and Clark Reservoir just above the dam.

Nearly all the water above the dam was frozen, except for a ring of open water about yards across. There was some kind of fish kill, with dead fish ringing the open water, and thousands of gulls taking advantage of the feast. As in much of South Dakota, most of the gulls in the area are Ring-billed Gulls. However, as with the other Missouri River dams, you never know what rarity may show up. Waterfowl, including the potential for rarities, is another big attraction to the area.

Common Loons are often found here in migration, and a Red-throated Loon was also once spotted here. Common Mergansers are indeed common below the dam in winter, and scanning the water may also reveal scattered Red-breasted Mergansers , especially in migration.

Common Goldeneye are another common species around the dam in winter, while not-so-common species have included Long-tailed Duck , White-winged Scoter , and Surf Scoter in migration. A Red-necked Grebe has been spotted above the dam marina area , and there has even been a visiting Brown Pelican , as mentioned above. If you're one who is inclined to chase the rarities, the Gavin's Point Dam area is definitely worth your time.

The forest and open areas away from the water can also be very good for birding. The area near the visitor's center on the Nebraska side has been my most reliable place to find Eastern Bluebirds , and there have now been a couple of times where Mountain Bluebirds have been reported in the area in winter. Cedar trees are common in the bluffs and draws on the south side of the river, and with heavy berry crops often comes large influxes of migrants and wintering birds.

The cedar trees on the Nebraska side are one of the most reliable places I know of to find what are often an unreliable and nomadic species, Cedar Waxwings. One thing that always manages to warm my heart, even in the dead of winter, are the large numbers of American Robins that always seem to be around, even in the coldest of weather. There are times when activity below the dam is incredible, with gulls, waterfowl, and eagles seemingly everywhere.

And there have been times when activity in and around the water has been extremely slow, including times when you're hard-pressed to find a single gull. However, given the diversity of habitats in the area, I never come away empty-handed on a trip to the area, as slow days near the water are often compensated for by big days in the upland areas on the Nebraska side of the dam, or in the forests of Chief White Crane Recreation area.

Sohl Click here for other references used to compile this page. Click on points to view actual ground photos and birding information for those locations.

Use the Google tools to switch between road maps, terrain, or satellite images. Snow Goose. Long-tailed Duck. Eared Grebe. Bald Eagle. Red-tailed Hawk. Bonaparte's Gull. Franklin's Gull. Ring-billed Gull. Ross's Gull. Commercial Use.