Bob Schuh’s Outdoor Report August 11, Sunday

By Bob Schuh

Mary and I just returned from a trip to Branson, Mo and as always I seek out things in nature that trigger my interests. On one of the days, we took a helicopter ride to tour the Table Rock Lake impoundment. The visible part of the dam that creates the impoundment lake is 1,602 feet wide, is 252 feet in height, and the top thickness of the concrete for the dam is 35 feet wide. The total width of the structure is 4,821 feet wide which includes the earthen buffers that help hold the dam in place, which is only a few hundred feet short of a mile. The dam has 10 spillways and turns 6 electric turbines. The electricity from two of the turbines goes just for operating the dam itself. The other four turbines generate power that goes directly into the grid. Table Rock Lake is fed by the White River, James River, and Kings River systems. This impoundment has 43,100 acres of surface water-67.34 square miles of lake surface. The facility generates over 50,000 kilowatts of electricity for the grid. Not only is this a power generating machine, it also serves as a fresh water source for drinking water for many communities. Of course, big waters like that become a sportsmen’s paradise. Some of the fish species in the lake include walleye, Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and more. The helicopter pilot was very good as he recognized my blindness immediately. He explained to me how the area’s were lined up with chalet’s that persons can rent out. He also pointed out that they had a beautiful sand beach however, that country is all rock so sand had to be trucked in to make the beach. Dozens of boat launch ramps were created to help the fishermen get their boats in and out of the lake. (Caption for photo’s by Mary Brethouwer) This helicopter is the one we toured the Table Rock Lake impoundment on in Branson, MO. The pilot was very good at explaining what we were flying over as we made our way over Table Rock Lake. Caption for Table Rock Lake Dam photo) Mary snapped this photo of the hydro-electric dam at Table Rock Lake in Branson, MO just to show the size of the structure. The impoundment has 67.34 square miles of surface water.

Morgan Siebert learned to shoot trap at the Maribel Sportsmen’s Club and became an excellent shot. Morgan now attends Midland University in Nebraska and competes on the Midland University Shotgun Sports team. Senior Morgan Siebert is keeping up with her shooting this summer and putting up some great scores! Here’s how she did at the ATA Wisconsin State Shoot; Lady 1, Champion White Flyer handicapped, Lady 1 HOA runner up, Over all champion runner up White Flyer handicapped, Lady 1 runner up Diamond 8 Leather Doubles, Lady 1 runner up Eau Claire Rod and Gun Doubles, and Sixth place over all Wisconsin Handicapped Championship. The weekend before, she also shot in the North Bristol Buckle Shoot and was Lady Singles Champion!

Challenge The Outdoors (CTO) invites everyone to the grand opening of their new facilities on Sunday, Aug. 18 courtesy of Challenge The Outdoors and Steve and Kristi Nooyen (Home Instead Senior Care). Join us for the commemoration of our new home at Peter’s Pond, N2647 Cherry Drive, Pulaski, on the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 160. Doors will be open from 1-5 p.m. with a program at 3 p.m. There will be food, refreshments, fishing, and tours. Learn more at ctoforme.org and see what CTO offer their physically challenged members.

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve has Heiknbrew tickets on sale now! We sold out fast last year, and you don’t want to miss this fun night of craft brew and wine tastings while on our beautiful trails. This event is Friday, Sept. 6 from 4:30-8 p.m. Join us for an early evening on our trails with 9 craft brew stations, 3 wine stations, food, and live music by Glo and Joe. There will also be great items in a bucket raffle for you to win. This event is for people 21 years of age and older, only! Funds raised support our nature-based education programs and conservation efforts on our 1,500-acre preserve. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.woodlanddunes.org/heiknbrew-sept-6-2024/ Thank you to our incredible sponsors.

Maribel Sportsmen’s Club will start their fall trap leagues with open trap on Sunday, Aug. 18 and Tuesday, Aug. 20. The eight-week league will then start on Sunday Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 27. The youth trap league will also start on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Shoto Conservation Club is offering three $1,500 scholarships for the 2024/2025 school year. Students must be entering their junior or senior year of college pursuing a career in the sciences or wildlife environmental field. Go to shotoconservationclub.org and click on annual scholarships. Deadline to apply is August 31, 2024.

Because of some scheduling confusion, the Lewis shoot at Maribel Sportsmen’s Club for Aug. 17 will not be happening. That’s it for this week so have fun in the great outdoors.