Lake Yankton (South Dakota)

Lake Yankton (Cottonwood Lake)
Location Yankton County, South Dakota / Cedar County, Nebraska
Coordinates 42°51′20″N 97°28′21″W / 42.855509°N 97.472443°W / 42.855509; -97.472443Coordinates: 42°51′20″N 97°28′21″W / 42.855509°N 97.472443°W / 42.855509; -97.472443
Type reservoir
Primary outflows Missouri River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 1 mile (1.6 km)
Max. width 0.75 miles (1.21 km)
Surface area 250 acres (100 ha)
Max. depth 18 ft (5.5 m)
Islands Lake Yankton Island

Lake Yankton is a small reservoir, near Yankton, South Dakota. It is on the border of South Dakota and Nebraska, and is located just east of Gavins Point Dam and just north of the Missouri River. The lake has an approximate surface area of 250 acres (100 ha) and has a maximum depth of 18 feet (5.5 m).[1]

The lake is also known as Cottonwood Lake.

The lake was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for fish and wildlife habitat enhancement following construction of Gavins Point Dam. The lake is separated from the Missouri River by a dike constructed by the USACE known as the Training Dike. The lake is designated as "electric-motors only", the use of gasoline-powered boat motors on the water is prohibited.[2] This has led to the lake being very popular for kayaking and canoeing. An outlet from the lake known as "The Bubble" is a popular fishing spot, where the lake flows into the Missouri River.

Four popular recreation areas surround the lake: Cottonwood Recreation Area (USACE), Training Dike Day-Use Area (USACE), Chief White Crane State Recreation Area and Pierson Ranch State Recreation Area. Camping, hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing and hunting are popular activities around the lake. Lake Yankton Beach, located within Training Dike Day-Use Area is a popular free swimming beach in summer months.

Lake Yankton Island is located within the lake and is approximately 120 acres (49 ha) in size. This Cottonwood dominated island was originally a sandbar in the Missouri River. This wildlife management area is managed by the USACE and is open to the public for wildlife watching and hunting. The island can be accessed by foot via Chief White Crane Recreation Area or the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery.

In the 2011 Missouri River Floods the Missouri River water backed into Lake Yankton, as a result the lake was infiltrated with Asian Carp, an aquatic invasive species not native to South Dakota/Nebraska that are well-established in the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam. The lake fisheries and water quality began to decline. Therefore in 2014 a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks completed a controlled fish kill to rid the lake of the invasive carp. Restocking efforts by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission began following the fish kill. The lake has become a very popular fishing area, with regular stocking of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, Black Crappie and Channel Catfish.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Missouri River Dams & Lakes". www.nwo.usace.army.mil.
  2. ↑ "Gas Powered Watercraft Prohibited on Lake Yankton".


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