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Current Mark Twain Lake related News.
MTL Hosts Geocaching Event The fourth annual Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure will be held at Mark Twain Lake. The event will be the largest of the four year history backed by the Army Corps of Engineers, Mark Twain Lake and the Chamber of Commerce from Monroe City and Mark Twain Lake. This event will feature over 60 permanent caches placed in a terrific recreational area on the lake. The Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure, MOGA, brings people from all across the Midwest to test their skills at finding hidden treasures. No need to be an expert to enjoy the weekend, lots of expert seekers will be glad to take you out for a hunt. Mike Griffin, one of the event organizers said, "This year, we will have over 60 permanent caches in the Indian Creek Recreation Area on Mark Twain Lake. This is different from in the past where we have had temporary caches setup. The Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake is welcoming the addition to the area because they know it will bring in cachers from across the Midwest to stay at their beautiful lodges and see this fantastic lake."
DNR grants permit for hog farm This PDF outlines the position of the Protect Mark Twain Lake Association Please write the DNR to voice your concern over this issue. If construction on this proposed Hog CAFO goes forward it will be in defiance of a recently passed county ordinance to restrict such operations. Specifically, the proposed CAFO will violate the "Green Belt" provision which states that no CAFO may be built within 2 miles of Mark Twain Lake. The protect Mark Twain Lake Association believes that there will another attempt in the state legislature to make such county restrictions as these illegal, thus effectively eliminating the only means of local control over CAFOs.
Top 25 Hiking Trails Mark Twain Lake's Joanna Trail has been chosen as one of the Top 25 hiking trails nationwide. Mark Twain Lake's longest multipurpose trail has been named among the Nation's top 25. Joanna trail features 30 miles of trails suitable for hiking or horseback riding. There are also several primitive camping areas along the trail, 2 ponds, and an old log cabin. the trail is named for the village of Joanna which was located in what is now the basin of the lake. Joanna Trail
Top 25 Fishing Spots Mark Twain Lake Chosen as one of 2006's Top 25 fishing spots nationwide! Out of all of the lakes in the country Mark Twain Lake has been chosen to be in Reserve America's top 25 fishing destinations.
Top 100 Family Campgrounds 2 Mark Twain Lake Campgrounds chosen for top 100. The "Top 100 Family Campgrounds" were selected based on criteria requested by family campers including park amenities, beautiful outdoor scenery, and educational facilities. The criteria included parks that offer hot showers, laundry facilities, hiking trails, family beaches, radio - free zones, visitor centers, educational programs, children's events, and that are located within 100 miles of a metro location. Only two campgrounds from Missouri were chosen for the top 100 family campgrounds. Both of these are Mark Twain Lake campgrounds. Ray Behrens and Frank Russell were the two MTL campgrounds chosen.
Public Meeting Concerning Visitor's Center Mark Twain Lake, February 23, 2005 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Mark Twain Lake Chamber of Commerce are hosting a public meeting to discuss the permanent closure of the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center. The meeting will take place March 10, 2005, 1:00 PM at the Harbor Inn Resort Conference Room located 2 miles north of Cannon Dam on Rt. J. The purpose of this meeting is to give concerned partners, visitors and community members the opportunity to share recommendations, ideas and suggestions for a replacement facility. Public input and support on the replacement facility is important to the Corps to insure an effective Visitor Center is developed in a timely manner. If you cannot attend this meeting comments can be sent to the Mark Twain Lake Project Office, 20642 Hwy. J, Monroe City, Missouri 63456, email MarkTwainInfo@mvs02.usace.army.mil or called in at telephone 573-735-4097. You can read an editorial about this in the Hannibal Courier Post here.
Mark Twain Lake's Visitors Center to close Press release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District: On Sunday, November 21, the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center at Mark Twain Lake will close permanently. The facility, which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, typically closes this time of year and reopens in the spring at the beginning of the recreation season. However, due to unforeseen complications, the Visitor Center will not reopen in the spring. The permanent closure of the Boudreaux Visitor Center is the result of accelerated structural deterioration of portions of the structure due to a wood preservative treatment used during the construction of the facility. The deterioration presents a potential hazard to the safety and welfare of the visiting public and in the interest of public safety the center will be closed. The future of the Corps Visitor Center is unknown. The Corps will begin to look at all potential options for providing the services the closed Boudreaux Visitor Center has provided to the lake. The M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center stands on one of the most scenic overlooks at Mark Twain Lake. It has served as welcome center, special event site, field trip destination for thousands of students and meeting place for community organizations and agencies for 20 years. It is also the site of the Northeast Missouri Vietnam Memorial and home to historical, cultural and natural resource displays. The Vietnam Memorial, overlook and picnic area in the Boudreaux Recreation Area will remain open according to normal seasonal schedules. Visitor information or brochures on Mark Twain Lake and surrounding attractions may be obtained at the Mark Twain Lake Project Office. If you have questions or comment please contact this office at 573-735-4097, or by email at MarkTwainInfo@mvs02.usace.army.mil NOTE: The U.S. Army Corps is collecting public comments concerning the Visitor's Center and it's possible replacement.
Outdoor 101 for women Are you the type of woman who would like to join the weekend crowd boating, gardening, fishing, hunting, and hiking but just don’t have a clue how to begin? "Outdoors 101 for Women" is for you. This event links together outdoor challenged women and instructors in a relaxed learning atmosphere. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Volunteers for the Physically Challenged Hunt will sponsor this event at Mark Twain Lake on November 20, 2004 in the Indian Creek Recreation Area. Classes will be held in heated tents and outdoors. The agenda includes backpacking, hiking, archery, landscaping, first aid, introduction to firearms, ATV use, Mark Twain Lake’s version of Martha Stewart and much more. The registration fee of $35 for one woman or $60.00 for two includes lunch, snacks, class material, equipment and unforgettable memories. Registration must be complete by November 5, 2004. Registration information can be obtained by calling 573-735-4097 or by email: Diane.Hellhake@ mvs02.usace.army.mil.
Haunted Highway A handful of communities near Mark Twain Lake, plus the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are providing some pre-Halloween activities for families along what is being called the Halloween Highway.
Mark Twain Lake Quietly Turns 20 A reflection on the lake area and what has happened over the last 20 years.
An Angler's Guide to Mark Twain Lake Nice article describing the current fishing prospects for several species at Mark Twain Lake. Compliments of Missouri Department of Conservation
CannonDam.com Big Fish Challenge You can win $100 if bring in the heaviest crappie or catfish to be photographed at Cannon Dam General Store on Route J. 2 miles south of the Clarence Cannon Dam. This is the second annual big fish challenge. Any species of catfish or crappie native to Missouri are eligble to enter. All fish must be photographed and weighed at Cannon Dam General Store. Part I April 1 - June 15 2004 Part II June 16 - Sept 30 2004 $100 will be paid to the heaviest crappie and the heaviest catfish weighed during each part. Check out the Big Fish Leader Board to size up the competition.
Replica of Vietnam Wall to visit Mark Twain Lake "The Wall That Heals" lists the names of the 58,000 men and women who died in Vietnam. The half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display June 10-13 at the M.W. Boudreaux Visitor Center on Route J. Opening ceremonies are set for 10 a.m. June 10 and closing ceremonies will be at 5 p.m. June 13. For more information contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at (573) 735-4097. Compliments of The Quincy Herald Whig
Mark Twain Lake Fishing Prospects 2004 This is the annual report put out by the state that attempts to predict what the fishing will be like. Compliments of Missouri Department of Conservation
Mark Twain for President Mark Twain stunned the political establishment by announcing his candidacy for the presidency. An independent in politics since the '80s, he's running as a third party candidate. Although this site is not about politics, we do enjoy a tall tale or two.
Ariel Photo of Cannon Dam
Mark Twain Lake Atrizine Levels are Dropping Atrazine is a popular herbicide that was used by Farmers extensively until about 1993. The Lake's watershed contains a great deal of farmland which caused elevated atrazine levels. These levels, however, have been steadily decreasing. Read the report for full details. This is not really new news, but I don't think that this fact has been widely publicized. Compliments of Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Mark Twain Lake Nature Viewing Guide The Missouri Department of Conservation has posted a nature viewing guide of Mark Twain Lake and other Missouri wildlife areas.
Busses Nowhere Near The Arch #20 Just ran across this website. This is only news if you own a VW. It's time again to make plans to attend the premier Midwest VW Type 2 camping event! On average, we are delighted to host about 100 Busses.
Fish Spawn Information This page documents the contribution of the Army Corps of Engineers to the Spring Fish Spawn. In cooperation with other responsible agencies, the Corps seeks to maintain steady pool elevations which enhance the quality of spawning. Information is available for Mark Twain Lake, Carlyle Lake, and Lake Shelbyville. Graphs of the pool elevation are shown for available years. Compliments of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers