Meramec Dam Project

[Brian Jones]

Correct. As I mentioned in my original post, most of what you posted in your first posting was true the way it went down.

I wasn't really "arguing", there was no point in that, it's over and done with. All I was doing was stating the facts, as I knew them, from the other side of the coin as there are always two, and sometimes, three or four sides to every issue and the board-member making the original inquiry deserved to hear both sides. These days, so many (not you) choose to forget, ignore and completely disrespect those with opposing opinions and views.

I appreciate you offering your side as well Skeeter. The fact that supporters of both sides of this topic were able to have a civilized discussion shows the quality of this board and the character of its members. Though I am glad the Meramec is still an unimpounded river, I learned a lot about the whole Meramec Dam Project and those who supported and opposed it.

[Chief Grey Bear]

One thing about it, if they would have built the dam, you wouldn't have to worry about the spots.

[Al Agnew]

Chief, depending upon what kind of dam it would have been, a bottom draw power generation dam like those on the White River, or a top draw flood control dam, we'd either have been fishing for trout below it, or catching nothing BUT spotted bass, the way it is on Black River below Clearwater Dam. One thing is for sure, the river below the dam would no longer be a smallmouth stream.

[Greasy B]

I recall a picture of Governor Kit Bond on a Meramec float trip about the time of the referendum. He was duded up in 70’s garb, hilarious if anyone can find it.

[Midwest troutbum]

Most Corps of Engineers projects in my mind are a complete disaster, from the false sense of security they try to sell or the idea to always control nature instead of working with it. River dams built with taxpayer dollars to later be destroyed during floods are a prime example of how they misuse and misappropriate taxpayer money. They hide behind weasel clauses and always deny when they are wrong, claiming it is a 500 year flood, or 1000 year flood, when in reality they just won't admit their defeat to nature or admit nature had it right all along. Most engineers I know have little to no understanding of biology, botany, ecology etc, but only know how to build it bigger mentality...

[jimalert3]

Mr Agnew sure told it tike it was.Good article.

IWould like to put in my 2cents. I was with the SCS dept.of agriculture from1957 to 1984, in Nodaway, Cedarand Dade counties.

This was the period Al was talking about.

After Stockton lake was constructered the Corps wanted to dam up the Marais des Cygnes river just over the hill west of Stockton.

With the help of the soil and water districts it was voted down . Just another example why folks, especially farmer and landowners did not want all rivers dames up.

If you would check the two web sites below they will explain in more detail what soil and water districts were doing and still are.

http:/www.ok.gov/conservation/agency- division/.conservation_program_division/flood_control_program

http:/geology.com/lakes-rivers-water/missouri.shtml

[cart7]

Here's a good site that gives a pretty acurate and un-biased historical perspective to the lake. Lots of pictures too.

http://www.rollanet.org/~conorw/cwome/article69&70combined.htm

It also shows the map of the 31 lakes that were originally planned. The Meramec being the largest.

I don't remember exactly what the biggest objection to the lake was back then. I know most bass clubs in the STL area were actually against the dam primarily due to the probability of the thing leaking and the costs escalating because of that. ie: now defunct Hales Barr dam in Tennessee and the problems they've had with Lake Cumberland in KY.

I think that site indicates the original site for the dam was closer to St Clair, MO. instead of Sullivan. Apparently, the geographics for a St Clair dam would've be far less likely for it to leak than the Sullivan dam. It's a shame that at least some of those lakes didn't get built. Especially the ones on the Big river and the Union lake. I think it indicates that one of the larger lakes planned near Salem, MO would've also been a probably leaker. STL has a real lack of good quality fishing water available to it.

and please, don't bring up the Mississippi.

[Brian Jones]

Quality fishing water OR quality lakes??? There is a ton of quality fishing water within an hours drive or so of StL. It just may not be impounded.

[moguy1973]

Quality fishing water OR quality lakes??? There is a ton of quality fishing water within an hours drive or so of StL. It just may not be impounded.

I agree...good fishing water doesn't have to be still water.

Impounding the Meramec wouldn't have made a quality lake either. You think that the 40' cruisers make big waves on LOZ, they would have been that much worse on a much smaller body of water that the Meramec Park lake would have been.

[405z06]

I agree...good fishing water doesn't have to be still water.

Impounding the Meramec wouldn't have made a quality lake either. You think that the 40' cruisers make big waves on LOZ, they would have been that much worse on a much smaller body of water that the Meramec Park lake would have been.

I love the Meramec, and I am so, so glad it didn't get dammed back in the day, but IMO dealing with a fleet of 40' cruisers while on a lake in a 21' fiberglass bass boat > dealing with a fleet 150 hp tin boats while in a canoe on a 50' wide river. In fact, to my psyche and morale while fishing, the jets are much more annoying.