10 Fun Facts About Bagnell Dam

Salsa on the Strip is a new restaurant at The Lake of the Ozarks, but we want to take a little time to tell you about the oldest attraction at the Lake of the Ozarks! The Bagnell Dam was built in the 1930's, during the depression. While it offered many jobs to people back then who needed them, it offers many jobs and forms of entertainment to people today! The Lake of the Ozarks is famous for its boating, fishing, wake boarding, tubing, beautiful hiking trails, restaurants and fine dining, family activities, wineries, lakeside condos and its all around perfect vacationing spot. So while we're enjoying these fun summer activities today let's look at some of the fun ways it all began.

The Lake of the Ozarks was born in 1931 when Bagnell Dam was completed.

The entire operation of Bagnell Dam is controlled by one man at a computer.

Bagnell Dam is 2,543' long and supports a 20' wide roadway and a 3' sidewalk.

Courtesy of Missouri State Archives

During the Depression of the 1930s, the Bagnell Dam project provided 10,000 jobs and eventually employed 25,000 men over a period of four years to fill those positions.

The Lake of the Ozarks' 1,375 miles of shoreline is longer than the entire state of California.

40 percent of Missourians who own two homes, own one at the Lake of the Ozarks.

There are at least 70,000 boat docks on the lake.

Courtesy of Missouri State Archives

By using the natural energy of falling water, the Osage Energy Center saves our nation about one million barrels of oil or one million tons of coal each year.

The Lake of the Ozarks is the largest privately owned lake in the United States.

During construction 60,000 car loads of materials were hauled to the project site. Placed end to end, the cars would form a train reaching from St. Louis to Chicago and back.

Bagnell Dam in 2015

When you come out and visit the best restaurant at the Bagnell Dam Strip, you can take a walk down the Bagnell Dam and let the enormity of these facts sink in. For 84 years the work of the Dam has created an environment that is loved and enjoyed by thousands of people. After you finish admiring the view of the Lake, the Dam and the beautiful history, you can come curb your appetite at the best Mexican restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks!

Salsa on the Strip - the Mexican food you love at the Lake you love

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