ITGUY

I would rather be sitting by the campfire... Guess it ok for rainy days !

Conservation handles the fishing and stocking. DNR handles the park and camp grounds. Wifi is one of the most requested things we get at campgrounds.

Update: Wifi equipment will be installed for free wifi access to lower campground and lodge areas within the next month. Also, the web cam is taking stills every minute and updating to the gov web page. It also changes postions every 1/2 hour between 7 am and 4pm and then will return to the dam for the evening and night. People, there are not other cameras hidden in the park. That's a fact.

If you want streaming back, or want other angles or faster refresh rates from the park. You should email bill.bryan@dnr.mo.gov. He is the current parks director and he is a pretty good guy and has your interests at heart.

If there is something at the other parks, it's not DNR's

I installed the Bennett Cam from start to finish, except for the final decisions on where it would be streamed to and how it was rebroadcasted, that was up to the web guys. The camera is not set up for anything but web streaming. The bandwidth coming from the park doesn't allow for remote enforcement and there is no infrastructure in the hatchery, where it would have to be to provide more capabilities. We did install infrared pointed at a specific point in the water. The original plan was to have the cam change positions throughout the day and then zoom to a specific shot in the water after dark to observe flooding conditions, but that plan was axed to remove any concerns from the public, so the infra-red, which was donated to us by Axis, was removed. I am not sure how long the streaming will continue, but at some point it may revert to still photos a couple times a minute or so. As far as the DNR side, no other cameras in any park. I do not know what MDC has at other locations.. The camera is locked down and there are only a couple of people with access. Not sure why they don't have it running on the weekends, I would think they would want it on then. They are still are getting the stream on weekends, just choosing not to broadcast it. I am going to suggest the advertising thing and see if it goes anywhere. As long as the money is directed back at the park, it might be a good thing. Would you that camp at Bennett enjoy wi-fi access ? We have it at the lodge now, but want to expand it.

This webcam is a pilot project, actual cost was less than 2k, the underwater camera would be very cool, but at around 10k, no one is going to sign off on that. Maybe some companies would like to contribute. Just a thought since the revenue stream is tight, a little advertising logo in the corner instead of the DNR logo, as long as they kick in some money to improve things in the park it's located at ??

I am responding in an unofficial capacity, but just wanted to ease any concerns on this webcam... The camera was installed for marketing purposes and as a convenience to fisherman. The park was always getting calls, especially after heavy rains, inquiring on the stream conditions or flooding in the park. The ability to pull up the webcam, and see crowd conditions, or check the stream conditions, weather conditions, then decide if it's time for some fishing is the goal here. Nothing else. The camera is not being used for surveillance or enforcement, it is provided as a service to you. There are not other cameras hiding in the woods, campgrounds, etc. Hopefully in the next couple of months, you will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi in the lower campgrounds. The picture quality you see is what is available. There is not recording equipment in the hatchery, no CSI room in the basement, just lots of eggs and trout. If you like this service, it may be offered at other trout parks at some point.