Near Crofton in Knox County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Gavins Point Dam and Powerplant

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 17, 2025

1. Gavins Point Dam and Powerplant Marker

Inscription. Over time, the Missouri River has chosen many paths. With the settlement of the Great Plains came the need to restrict the river's meandering. As development increased, the demand for flood risk reduction, navigable waterways, safe water supplies, and affordable energy also increased.
The construction of Gavins Point Dam and Powerplant began in 1952 and was completed in 1957 at the cost of $51 million. The electricity generated at this powerplant is enough to provide for the daily power needs of 42,000 homes.
Water released from the dam provides for commercial navigation all the way to St. Louis, Missouri. As a bonus, the creation of Lewis & Clark Lake behind the dam results in ninety-miles of scenic shoreline, Nearly 2 million visitors come to Lewis & Clark Lake annually.

How much water is that? At full power generation, 255,000 gallons of water per second passes through Gavins Point Powerpoint. This is enough water to fill 13,000 bathtubs every second.

Visit the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center to learn more about resources and Gavins Point Dam

Erected by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gavins Point

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Dam.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 50.942′ N, 97° 28.649′ W. Marker is near Crofton, Nebraska, in Knox County. It is on Powerplant Road (State Highway 121), on the left when traveling west. The marker is located at the overlook near the Lewis and Clark Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55245 Nebraska Highway 121, Crofton NE 68730, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska and in the Niobrara Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Lewis & Clark Expedition (here, next to this marker); Up the Missouri (here, next to this marker); Council at Calumet (here, next to this

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 17, 2025

2. Gavins Point Dam and Powerplant Marker

The maeker is on the fae left.

marker); Meeting the Yankton Sioux (approx. 2.6 miles away in South Dakota); a different marker also named The Lewis & Clark Expedition (approx. 2.6 miles away in South Dakota); Historic Missouri Valley (approx. 3.9 miles away); The Great Missouri River (approx. 3.9 miles away); a different marker also named Meeting the Yankton Sioux (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crofton.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.