Mark Twain Lake

You know summer is here when the beaches open. Indian Creek and Spalding Beaches open today, May 7. As you can see from the picture, Indian Creek Beach has a new ADA accessible walkway. Enjoy! And remember to wear your life jacket - it will not work unless you wear it!

Like us? Then you'll LOVE our friend, Lake Shelbyville, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If lake life is the only life for you, then visit beautiful Lake Shelbyville! This 11,100-acre lake offers a multitude of recreation opportunities to fit your style. Looking to reel one in? Lake Shelbyville is known for its outstanding fishing, especially walleye and crappie, and is the perfect place to cast a line. Are you a thrill seeker? Check out the mountain bike trails, pump track, hiking trails, water trail, three marinas, and more! Or maybe you're more of a chill seeker? Relax at the three public beaches, five campgrounds, two group camps, and numerous picnic areas. No matter what your outdoor interests, Lake Shelbyville has it all. Be sure to check out the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center for all your information needs.

Due to social distancing protocol and teleworking teams, the best way to reach the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at this time is through email at [email protected]. Thank you for your patience as we prepare facilities for the 2021 season.

It is getting close to Christmas, so here is a jingle about our one true love, water safety! On the 12th day of water safety a Park Ranger showed to me.. Happy Holidays and @PleaseWearIt

All remaining courtesy docks will be removed today. This is a normal seasonal task in preparation for winter conditions.

Repairs have been made to the boat ramp at Hunter Fisherman Access #60 (Rt BB) this week. Rock was added and wash outs were filled to provide a better, safer launch area.

Water at full service campsites in Ray Behrens and Indian Creek Campgrounds will be turned back on today due to the projected forecast. It will remain on as long as weather permits.

Attention campers: We are entering the time of year when full service campsites may have water turned off due to below freezing temperatures. A fill up and dump station are located at the entrance to each campground and restroom/shower buildings are fully functional. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

The Environmental Stewardship team completed a reforestation project on a bottomland field in the North Fork area of Mark Twain Lake. Two fields were planted with container stock averaging 5' to 6' in height. Types of trees planted included Pin Oak, Black Walnut, Persimmon, Sycamore, and Basswood. The purpose of the planting was to establish trees along the riparian corridor of North Fork branch, stabilize the soil, and to create new forest habitat.

Fish cleaning stations have been closed for the year. If you have any questions please call the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at 573-735-4097 or message this Facebook page.

It is time of year that some courtesy docks will be removed. At this time there is still one dock at each Corps location that normally has courtesy docks.

#USACEeducates Halloween is just around the corner! A part of almost every Halloween scene is a spider, and to many people spiders are really, creepy things. Here are some cool facts about spiders that may make them seem a little less scary and a lot more interesting!

There are several private facebook pages relating to the Indian Creek Halloween Walk. Please remind all members that this event was cancelled. The Corps campgrounds also have a no visitor rule due to social distancing protocol during the pandemic. Only registered campers are allowed at this time.

Mark Twain Lake has been engaged with prescribed burn activities around the lake. One of the primary purposes of fall prescribed burns is to improve growing conditions in old fields supporting wildlife habitat and pollinator species. This work will continue, as conditions permit, through October.

Our partners from the Missouri Department of Conservation brought juvenile channel catfish to Mark Twain Lake and stocked our recreation ponds located at the Frank Russell Recreation Area, Henderson Pond in the Indian Creek Recreation Area, Sandy Creek Pond, and Kuhlmann Pond. These fish will grow through the winter, and will provide a challenge and thrill to the anglers visiting these areas next year.

See the chart to find out when your day use pass expires. Your expiration date may have been extended.

This is the time of year snakes will begin to move around, be sure to watch where you step!

Expect the unexpected - Wear Your Life Jacket!

Our Recreation Team has added 400 tons of sand to our beaches, 200 tons to Indian Creek Beach and 200 tons to Spalding Beach. Over the course of the next month they will continue to spread the sand on the lower portions of the beach, the waters edge, and remove small rocks and pebbles as they appear.

Some interesting facts about the North American River Otter!

Park Ranger Grace Peak speaking on one of our main missions at Mark Twain Lake!

The target belting for the David C. Berti Shooting Range located in the Warren G. See South Spillway have been replaced. This will improve your shooting experience. Enjoy!

If you have not noticed yet, our Recreation Team here at Mark Twain Lake has improved our beach walk at Spalding Beach! The new beach walk system is set into the ground, so it can withstand the fluctuating lake level throughout the Summer season and ensure a safe walking platform to the waters edge. Be sure to go soak up some sun, as the Fall season is creeping up on us! Also, remember, your life jacket will not work if you do not wear it!

Did you know that North America and South America house more species of salamanders than the entire rest of the world?

Have a fun and safe weekend!

The David C. Berti Shooting Range will be closed for maintenance on Thursday, July 23 from 7 a.m. to Noon.

Here’s a water safety message for your weekend! Stay safe!

Even though they might not be the most appealing, these birds play a very important role in their ecosystem!

Due to maintenance and repairs, the David C. Berti Shooting Range located in the South Spillway Recreation Area will be closed this morning.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Water safety message from Park Ranger Grace Peak!

It’s beach time! Spalding and Indian Creek Beaches are OPEN! Keep in mind the lake level is approximately 6-7 feet high. Please recreate responsibly, follow social distancing practices and stay home if you have symptoms of illness. If you do not practice social distancing, you put the beach at risk of closure. Fees are waived through the beach season. Always watch your children and wear a life jacket when recreating in, on or near the water. Have a great weekend!

Enjoy Your Holiday Weekend at Mark Twain Lake! When you're enjoying time out on the water, please play it safe! Operate your vessel responsibly and in a friendly manner. The 4th of July holiday weekend is the worst weekend of the year and July is the worst month for water-related accidents and fatalities. Boat sober and maintain a lookout at all times for other boats and weather changes. Most importantly, wear your life jacket and engine cutoff device. Doing all these things ...will help ensure that you and your loved ones return home safely. See more

Due to continued social distancing protocols, only registered campers are allowed in the campgrounds. Visitors will not be allowed until further notice. Thank you for your continued patience as we work through these unprecedented times.

Introduction to the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center

All Corps of Engineer operated fish cleaning stations at Mark Twain Lake are now open. The stations are located at Ray Behrens, Indian Creek, John Spalding, and Stoutsville Ramps. The openings are subject to change based upon overcrowding that prevents social distancing and any applicable federal, state and county advisories and guidance.

Members from the Groovy Gardeners Master Gardeners spent the morning of June 3 planting the flower boxes at the South Overlook area. Mark Twain Lake thanks them for the beautiful results.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is announcing that the Mark Twain Lake fireworks display scheduled for July 3, 2020 at Clarence Cannon Dam has been cancelled. Organizers may consider scheduling the event at a later date if conditions change. Staff and Public safety are our top priorities, and openings/closings or cancellations are based on capacity to protect the health, safety and security of the public, our partners and USACE employees. In this case, maintaining social distancing in a manner that is consistent with CDC guidelines and practices in fighting COVID-19 would not be possible. For more information, call the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at 573-735-4097, follow us on Facebook at Mark Twain Lake - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or email us at [email protected].

Spalding and Indian Creek Beach Update June 12, 2020 Currently, the Spalding and Indian Creek beaches are closed due to high water that was the result of Tropical Storm Cristobal passing through the region. Without additional precipitation, the lake is expected to begin receding next week. Once water recedes, the area will have to be cleaned and prepared for opening. Opening procedures include dive safety inspections, water sampling, installing the beach buoy line and signs, work on the sand and cleaning of the restroom/shower building. Thank you for your patience as we work through this situation.

The Mark Twain Lake level on the afternoon of June 11 is 618.1 NGVD with a crest of less than 620.0 NGVD on the June 13. Under these conditions Hunter-Fishermen Access 20 at FF and Duane Wheelan Access, North of Perry, are closed. The courtesy dock at the Ray Behrens Ramp have been removed and the Joanna and Lick Creek Trails are also closed. These facilities will reopen as soon as water recedes and safety checks are performed. Please call the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at 573-735-4097 for more information or if you have questions.

Mark Twain Lake Fish Cleaning Stations are open except at Ray Behrens. Separation barriers have been added to promote social distancing with only 3 people allowed at each station at one time.

The M.W. Boudreaux Recreation Day Use Trail is now open for your enjoyment. The 1/4 mile long trail provides an accessible path around the wooded area with scenic overlooks. You can also make a 1/4 loop around the complex. A restroom is open. While in the area, visit the Northeast Missouri Vietnam Memorial. The playground and Visitor Center remain closed at this time due to social distancing protocols.

Charlie Miller, a Boy Scout from Columbia Missouri, completed the requirements of his Eagle Scout Service Project by delivering four artificial fish habitat structures. Charlie coordinated the details of his project with staff from Mark Twain Lake, coordinated the logistical and material requirements for the structures, built four structures, and delivered them to the lake on June 2. The structures will be used in an upcoming fish habitat project that will be occurring later this summer. Mark Twain Lake extends its congratulation to Charlie, and his parents, on his commitment and dedication to achieving this distinguished goal.

Park Ranger Brian Falls reminds visitors to stay safe during the upcoming holiday weekend.

Currently, all Corps operated campsites at Mark Twain Lake are reserved for the upcoming Holiday Weekend.

Mark Twain Lake Campground Changes and Opening Information Mark Twain Lake, May 11, 2020 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this time as the campground opening schedule was developed. Due to COVID-19 concerns, Mark Twain Lake will need to implement changes to the camping policy to protect the health, safety and security of the public and USACE employees. All campground sites will ch...Continue reading

This situation is subject to change according to federal, state and local advisories and requirements.