Table Rock Lake ~ Branson, Missouri
• Corps of Engineering Website: Table Rock Lake
• Table Rock Lake Website
• Table Rock Lake Map
• Branson Area Map
Table Rock Lake was formed in 1958 when the White River Valley was flooded. Table Rock Dam, built as part of the Flood Waters Control Acts of 1938 and 1941, was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' effort to bring electricity to rural southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. It's one of four dams on the White River; the only one of them in Missouri.
The lake rings the Ozark mountain town (and country-music mecca) of Branson, Missouri. Located 35 miles south of Springfield on U.S. Highway 65.
Much of the 43,000-acre lake, with its more than 745 miles of shoreline, is easily accessed by car.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Dewey Short Visitors Center beach offers the widest variety of diving from shore at the lake. Located between the 242-foot-tall Table Rock Dam and the Visitors Center building, water depths vary from 20 feet to more than 180, and the bottom is rock and silt.
When the valley was flooded, the small town of Oasis, Missouri was submerged. The town still sits under about 100 feet of water. Advanced divers can float down Main Street to the town's small wooden church, which, although deteriorating after decades underwater, offers wreck diving of a different order.
After a day of scuba, divers can explore the Visitors Center, the trout hatchery, the state park, or ride the Ducks, amphibious vehicles that offer guided tours of the Branson area and the lake.
Boat rentals are available at the State Park Marina, and fishermen may fly-fish for trout in adjoining Lake Taneycomo, in the cold waters of the Table Rock Dam spillway. Nashville-style variety shows are scheduled virtually nonstop in Branson for those so inclined.
Highlights:
Attractions: submerged town of Oasis, The Church, The Enchanted Forest, Zubulon Pike (twin-deck paddleboat), 40-foot cruiser.
Distance: 4 hours (250 miles)
Amenities: restaurants, campgrounds, motels, and the city of Branson are all located within a couple of miles
Max Depth: 180'
Visibility: 10'-25'
Water Temp: 60s (winter) / 80s (summer)
Directions to Table Rock Lake:
• From Y-kiki Divers, take Olive Blvd. east to I-270 South
• Take I-270 South to I-44 West to Springfield, MO
• Turn off of I-44 onto Highway 65 South
For State Park Marina:
• Take Highway 65 past Branson, over Lake Taneycomo and look for 165
• Turn right onto 165
• 165 and 265 merge near the lake
• State Park Marina will be on your left, near the lake
For Rock Lane Resort:
• Turn off of Highway 65 onto 465 to avoid the traffic in Branson
• Turn right onto 76
• Make a right onto Indian Point Road
• The entrance to Rock Lane Resort will be on your left
Lodging:
There are multiple lodging choices in Branson. Check out www.explorebranson.com for the area's visitors guide.
Table Rock Inn Get Yahoo Map
5631 State Hwy. 165
1 1/2 miles south of Table Rock Dam on 165 Hwy.
Branson, MO 65616
417-334-4965 / (800) 234-5890
Parkview Lodge Get Yahoo Map
5477 State Hwy. 165
1 mile south of Table Rock Dam on 165 Hwy.
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 334-4041 / (888) 727-5883
www.parkviewlodging.com
Fall Creek Inn & Suites
995 State Highway 165
2 miles north of Table Rock Dam on 165 Hwy.
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 348-1683
www.fallcreekinn.com
Reviews:
• Shore Diving.com
• Dive Training.com