The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Long Branch Lake manages the lake to provide benefits to the nation in areas of Flood Damage Reduction, Water Supply, Natural Resource Management, and Downstream Water Quality Improvement.
The Corps has direct responsibility at Long Branch for management of the 2,400 acre lake and 1,200 acres of adjacent project land. In addition to those lands under direct Corps management, the Corps outgrants approximately 1,830 acres of Long Branch project lands to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for Long Branch State Park and 2,450 acres to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the Long Branch Conservation Area.
The Corps of Engineers at Long Branch has natural resource management responsibility on approximately 1,190 acres of public land. Resource management efforts focus on habitat improvement of both forest and grassland environments.
Maintenance and operation of the dam is one of the more important duties for Corps personnel at Long Branch. The integrity of the dam is maintained through regular inspections and maintenance activities. The Corps staff also regulates outflow through operation of gates within the dam outlet works.
The Corps operates a visitor center at the east end of the dam that is a source of information to the visiting public about local history, natural features and recreation opportunities. The visitor center is also the base of operation for a variety of interpretive programs conducted by Corps rangers for schools and organizations in surrounding communities.
USACE Pass Information
USACE Annual Pass = $40. Pass holders receive free entrance to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-operated sites nationwide that charge day use fees. The pass may not be used at areas operated by other agencies even if those areas may be located on USACE-owned property. Camping fees are not included. Pass valid for one year. Valid through month and year shown on the pass. Sold only at USACE projects, please call ahead to ensure the office is open to the public.
Federal Interagency Pass Information
Approximately 240 USACE recreation projects nationwide began issuing America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Interagency Passes on Jan. 1, 2016. These include:
1) Interagency Senior Pass, $80, valid for lifetime of the pass owner and available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 or older.
2) Interagency Senior Annual Pass $20, valid one year from month of purchase, available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 or older, the Senior Annual Pass can be upgraded to the Lifetime Senior Pass by exchanging four previously purchased Senior Annual Passes or paying the difference between the purchase of one to three Senior Annual Passes to equal the value of the Senior Lifetime Pass, $80.
3) Access Pass, free for lifetime with documentation of permanent disability for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. *Documentation required.
4) Interagency Annual Pass, $80, anyone can purchase this pass.
5) Interagency Military Pass, free to current U.S. military members and their dependents. *Documentation required.
6) Interagency Every Kid in a Park 4th Grade Pass, free to current 4th grade students with valid Every Kid in a Park voucher (visit: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/ for details).
7) Interagency Volunteer Pass, earned with 250-plus hours of volunteer service on public lands.
8) Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, free to gold star families and veterans. *Documentation required.
These passes allow their holders free access to boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE. Senior and Access America the Beautiful passes also provide holders a 50 percent discount on campsites at USACE-managed campgrounds. Additionally, USACE will continue to sell its own annual day use pass for $40, which allows visitors free access to boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE.
All America the Beautiful passes can be purchased online at http://store.usgs.gov/. There is an additional $10 processing fee for online purchases. They can also be obtained in person at many locations which can be found at https://www.nps.gov/ Please call ahead to ensure the office is open to the public and to ensure pass availability.