ROCKAWAY BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

THIS IS LAKE TANEYCOMO

For those folk who are interested in learning some history, here are a few facts about that great lake Rockaway Beach sits on.  You may be surprised about what you learn.

Powersite Dam                                        

Powersite Dam was originally named Ozark Beach Dam.  It was completed in 1913 creating  Lake Taneycomo which replaced the once flowing White River. At a cost of $2.3 million it was built for the purpose of supplying electricity to the lead and zinc mines located in Joplin, Missouri.  Ozark Power and Water Company was granted the original license to build the dam in 1911.

This dam was an historic sensation.  The 125 miles of 66,000 volt transmission lines to carry power to Springfield and Joplin in an era before the existence of transformers and insulators was an engineering marvel for its time.