Coleharbor in McLean County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Garrison Dam Overlook
Lewis and Clark in North Dakota
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2025
1. Garrison Dam Overlook Marker
With "the assistance of the wind, the current and our oars," the expedition covered 86 miles of its homeward journey on the cool and blustery day. At the mouth of the Little Missouri, the party stopped to hunt, but were able only to wound an elk. Several Indians were seen on nearby hills. Clark wrote that "nothing very remarkable took place," but noted thankfully that the "Misquetors" were "not so troublesome" when the camped at Snake Creek.
(Same text as the Fort Stevenson State Park marker)
Erected by US Army Corps of Engineers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 13, 1806.
Location. 47° 29.554′ N, 101° 23.541′ W. Marker is in Coleharbor, North Dakota, in McLean County. It is on State Highway 200 near West Missouri Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located at the Garrison Dam Overlook, 1 mile west of Riverdale. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Drift Prairie and on the Missouri Plateau. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (here, next to this marker); Displaced Communities (here, next to this marker); Growing out of the wheat fields and many have since returned. (within shouting distance of this marker); Taming the mighty Missouri by building the world's largest rolled earth dam of its time. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spillway Bridge is often believed to be "the dam", (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Riverdale (about 500 feet away); Powerhouse (approx. 2.1 miles away); Garrison Dam (approx. 2.1 miles away).
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2025
2. Garrison Dam Overlook Marker
Marker in the center.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
