Lake Oahe ( / oʊ ˈ w ɑː . h iː / ) is a large reservoir behind the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River ; it begins in central South Dakota and continues north into North Dakota in the United States . The lake has an area of 370,000 acres (1,500 km) and a maximum depth of 205 ft (62 m). By volume, it is the fourth-largest reservoir in the US . Lake Oahe has a length of approximately 231 mi (372 km) and has a shoreline of 2,250 mi (3,620 km). 51 recreation areas are located along Lake Oahe, and 1.5 million people visit the reservoir every year. The lake is named for the 1874 Oahe Indian Mission.
31-476: Lake Oahe begins just north of Pierre, South Dakota and extends nearly as far north as Bismarck, North Dakota . Mobridge, South Dakota is located on the eastern shore of the central portion of the lake. Bridges over Lake Oahe include US Route 212 west of Gettysburg, South Dakota and US Route 12 at Mobridge. The former town of Forest City has been flooded beneath Lake Oahe, about 9 miles west of Gettysburg. Prehistoric archaeological sites have been explored in
62-495: A community. It was designated as the state capital when South Dakota gained statehood on November 2, 1889. Huron challenged the city to be selected as the capital, but Pierre was selected for its geographic centrality in the state. Fort Pierre had developed earlier, with a permanent settlement since c. 1817 around a fur trading post. Fort Pierre Chouteau, preceding the city, was named after Pierre Chouteau, Jr. , an American fur trader from St. Louis , Missouri , who
93-616: A middle school and a high school, T. F. Riggs High School . St. Joseph, is a private Catholic elementary school. It is administered by the local parish and the Diocese of Sioux Falls . Other schools include For His Glory and the Pierre Indian Learning Center (a tribal school affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education ). The Capital Journal is the local newspaper and has been in circulation since 1881. OaheTV
124-559: A popular target for anglers. The lake also supports populations of the endangered pallid sturgeon . There are 50 public recreation areas that allow access to Lake Oahe. Many of these areas offer boat ramp facilities, marinas, campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails, along with access to hunting and fishing opportunities. Some of the recreation areas include: Both the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and Standing Rock Indian Reservation occupy much of
155-529: A problem for the displaced populations in the Dakotas, who are still seeking compensation for the loss of the towns submerged under Lake Oahe, and the loss of their traditional ways of life. Lake Oahe became a point of contention in protests to block the Dakota Access Pipeline . The construction project has been controversial for its environmental impacts, and several Native American tribes in
186-523: Is the state capital of the U.S. state of South Dakota and the county seat of Hughes County . The population was 14,091 at the 2020 census , making it the 2nd least populous US state capital after Montpelier , Vermont . It is South Dakota's 9th most populous city . Pierre is the principal city of the Pierre Micropolitan Statistical Area , which includes all of Hughes and Stanley counties. Founded in 1880 on
217-450: Is the local public/education/government cable channel serving Pierre, Fort Pierre on Midcontinent Communications Cable. Public transit is provided by River Cities Public Transit . Pierre Regional Airport is served by one commercial airline. Although in the center of the state, Pierre is one of only four state capitals not served by an Interstate highway (along with Dover, Delaware , Jefferson City, Missouri , and Juneau, Alaska ). It
248-530: Is the only one that is not served by any expressways. The nearest Interstate highway is Interstate 90 , about 34 mi (55 km) south of Pierre via the four-lane U.S. Highway 83 . The Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad runs east–west through the city. The railroad crosses the Missouri River on the Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge . In 2015, in honor of the 80th anniversary of
279-553: Is water. Pierre is sited on rough river bluffs above the east bank of the Missouri River , overlooking its expanse. It is a few miles away from Lake Oahe , one of the world's largest man-made lakes. Developed for flood control and irrigation, the lake has become a popular fishing destination. Pierre has a relatively dry, four-season, humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfa ), with long, dry, cold winters, hot summers, and brief spring and autumnal transitions; like much of
310-483: The Missouri River , the city was selected to be the state capital when South Dakota was admitted as a state in 1889. Near the center of the state, the then new settlement was across the river from the settlement of Fort Pierre , and near what became an important railroad crossing of the River. Pierre was founded in 1880 on the east bank of the Missouri River opposite Fort Pierre , a former trading post that developed as
341-500: The census of 2010, there were 13,646 people, 5,778 households, and 3,463 families living in the city. The population density was 1,044.9 inhabitants per square mile (403.4/km ). There were 6,159 housing units at an average density of 471.6 per square mile (182.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 85.1% White , 0.5% African American , 10.9% Native American , 0.6% Asian , 0.5% from other races , and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.9% of
SECTION 10
#1732772436083372-714: The diurnal temperature variation is significantly greater during summer than in winter. Snow primarily falls in light amounts, with the snowiest months being February and March, while the average seasonal total is 37.2 inches (0.94 m). In addition, there are an average 20.9 nights per year with lows below 0 °F (−17.8 °C), and cold conditions are often intensified by the Great Plains ' high winds. Summers often see spikes in temperature, with 6.6 days of highs above 100 °F (37.8 °C) and 37–38 days with highs above 90 °F (32.2 °C). On July 23, 1973, an F3 tornado struck Pierre and caused 10 injuries. It
403-402: The " Monopoly " board game, Hasbro held an online vote to determine which cities should be included in an updated version of the "Here and Now: The US Edition" of the game. The top "Boardwalk" spot went to an unexpected contender: Pierre. It received the most votes, beating New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. The outcome may have been influenced by the image that accompanied the name of
434-807: The 1960s, the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation built five large dams on the Missouri River , and implemented the Pick–Sloan Missouri Basin Program , forcing Native Americans to relocate from flooded areas. Over 200,000 acres on the Standing Rock Reservation and the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota were flooded by the Oahe Dam alone. As of 2015, poverty remains
465-544: The D.C. Circuit sided with the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes that there should have been a thorough environmental review (there was only a 2015 preliminary review) for the 2-mile pipeline section below Lake Oahe. In February 2022, the US Supreme Court agreed with this decision. The pipeline's construction remains frozen. Pierre, South Dakota Pierre ( / p ɪər / PEER )
496-633: The Dakotas and Iowa have opposed the project. These include several Sioux nations and the Meskwaki . In 2016, a group from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation brought a petition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and sued for an injunction to stop the project. On December 4, 2016, USACE denied the easement that "would allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe" and Jo-Ellen Darcy,
527-809: The Missouri River Basin and the Lake Oahe area. All artifacts, including fossils and other objects, are prohibited from collecting or damaging. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with other Federal and Tribal Law Enforcement officers enforce the unauthorized collection, vandalism, and damaging of culturally important sites and artifacts through the Antiquities Act , National Historic Preservation Act , Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 , and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act . Penalties for violations can include fines and up to federal prison sentences. In
558-602: The United States Assistant Secretary of the Army, "said she based her decision on a need to explore alternate routes for the Dakota Access Pipeline crossing". Darcy stated, "that the consideration of alternative routes would be best accomplished through an Environmental Impact Statement with full public input and analysis". Then-president Donald Trump soon thereafter issued "a memorandum and an executive order asking USACE to expedite its consideration of
589-538: The area, including Molstad Village near Mobridge. It dates to before the emergence of the Arikara, Hidatsa, and Mandan as separate peoples, and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark . Species of fish in the reservoir include walleye , northern pike , channel catfish , and smallmouth bass . Chinook salmon , native to the Pacific Northwest , are artificially maintained in Lake Oahe and are
620-405: The average family size was 2.96. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males. As of 2000 the median income for a household in
651-443: The city was $ 42,962, and the median income for a family was $ 52,144. Males had a median income of $ 32,969 versus $ 22,865 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,462. About 5.5% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. The Pierre School District , the school district covering the city, oversees three elementary schools,
SECTION 20
#1732772436083682-438: The city. The population density was 1,065.8 people per square mile (411.5 people/km ). There were 5,949 housing units at an average density of 457.0 per square mile (176.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 88.91% White , 0.20% African American , 8.56% Native American , 0.46% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.29% from other races , and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.25% of
713-552: The company’s application for an easement to start construction". The USACE subsequently "withdrew its call for the environmental study". On February 7, 2017, the USACE approved an easement through Lake Oahe. On February 9, 2017, the Cheyenne River Sioux filed the first legal challenge to the easement, citing an 1851 treaty and interference with the religious practices of the tribe. In 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for
744-409: The population. There were 5,567 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and
775-440: The population. There were 5,778 households, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
806-588: The post- World War II era of federally subsidized highway construction, as travelers and freight companies began to use automobiles and trucking. It is one of four state capitals not served by the Interstate Highway System . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 13.07 square miles (33.85 km ), of which 13.06 square miles (33.83 km ) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km )
837-744: The southern half of the state, it lies in USDA Plant Hardiness zone 5. According to weather maps and their data, Pierre can be considered a cool semi-arid climate ( Köppen : BSk ) aided by its precipitation near the threshold that reaches even northeast of the city in South Dakota . As such, it is the only capital of the Midwest states with a non-humid climate. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 19.1 °F (−7.2 °C) in January to 74.9 °F (23.8 °C), though
868-403: The western shoreline of Lake Oahe. Two possible burial sites of Sitting Bull , a Sioux leader, are located along Lake Oahe. One is near Fort Yates , North Dakota, while the other is near Mobridge. The shoreline and public lands around Lake Oahe contain various artifacts and cultural resources, especially important to many Native American tribes that have historically lived and traveled through
899-436: Was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 13,876 people, 5,567 households, and 3,574 families living in
930-476: Was of colonial French origin. Pierre's development was also influenced by construction of the Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern Railroad , which runs east–west through the city. It increased access to markets for regional products and improved transportation for passengers. The railroad crosses the Missouri River on the Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge . The capital city became relatively isolated in
961-526: Was the strongest tornado ever recorded in Hughes County. The beginnings of May and October see the last and first freezing nights, respectively, of the cooler season. Precipitation is much lighter in the winter than in late spring and summer, and totals about 20 inches (508 mm) annually. Extremes have ranged from −35 °F (−37 °C) on February 9, 1994, to 117 °F (47 °C) on July 15, 2006. See or edit raw graph data . As of