Mark Twain Lake – The Grand Opening of the new M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center is set for October 2, 2010. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials and the Mark Twain Lake Visitor and Educational Resource Center Committee extend invitations to everyone to visit the new facility. The Visitor Center is located at the south end of the Clarence Cannon Dam, 12 miles south of Monroe City, Missouri, off of Route J.

Some of the features of the new Visitor Center include a multi-purpose community room with a pull down projection screen, sound system and spectacular views, a covered outdoor classroom with a fire ring and amphitheater style seating and a drive around vista so visitors can see the lake from their vehicles. Spectacular views of the lake and dam are provided by a large viewing deck that surrounds the north side of the new building and extends across a foot bridge to a dam and spillway overlook. Inside the building you will be treated to a great room with a large stone fireplace and the Batty Mural hanging over the mantle. Overhead, partners and volunteers are honored with a large copper leaf sculpture with acorns that light up when a name is chosen.

The Visitor Center also boasts new exhibits that provide information on construction of the dam, history of the area, environmental stewardship activities and hydroelectricity. A replica of a turbine/generator unit provides visitors an interactive opportunity to learn about hydroelectricity and hand cranks to generate electricity to energize light bulbs. Primitive artifacts and fossils of the area will be on display along with the Gander Mammoth tooth and historical items.

Visitors to the dam area have watched construction transform the Boudreaux Recreation Area and have anticipated the opening day. It was one year ago this month that officials announced a $4.482M contract was awarded to John J. Kirlin Special Projects, LLC of Rockville, Md., for the design and construction of the new M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center. Construction is almost complete and plans for the grand opening are underway.

“I’d like to thank our many partners, the Mark Twain Lake Visitor and Educational Resource Center Committee, and those who have worked hard for years to get the Visitor Center reopened,” said Sandra Spence, Operations Manager at the lake. “Many of the features and options for the new design were suggestions made by many of our neighbors, teachers, community members, visitors and stakeholders,” she added. “It is a great day for all of us to learn that the new visitor center is a reality and that the local and regional economy will benefit from its construction and continue to benefit from the lake’s operation.”

The Northeast Missouri Vietnam Memorial will also open October 2. It has been relocated to a place of prominence at the southeast corner of the building and visible above Route J. The Memorial’s eleven foot tall gnomon and twelve monuments with plaques have been refinished. The Memorial lists 45 men from Northeast Missouri who died serving their country during the Vietnam War. Watch for additional information on the grand opening. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Mark Twain Lake Project Office at (573) 735-4097, email MarkTwainInfo@usace.army.mil or stop at the office located north of Cannon Dam Monday through Saturday 8 AM – 4:30 PM.