The History of Lake Taneycomo

Neil Sawford • July 26, 2023

This History of Lake Taneycomo


Lake Taneycomo is one of three beautiful lakes in Branson, along with Table Rock Lake and Bull Shoals Lake.


This renowned Branson Lake with calm waters offers water sports opportunities for people of all ages, including boating, fishing, swimming, and even scuba diving. Lake Taneycomo is an artificial lake formed from a section of the White River in Taney Country, Missouri. Many thrill seekers visit this famous lake, which offers clean and crystal blue waters, even coming to enjoy an exciting trip on the Branson Jet Boat.


The White River was a warm-water lake from the early 1900s through 1958. Lake Taneycomo's water supply comes from the bottom of Table Rock Lake after the Table Rock Dam was finished in August 1958. Since then, the lake temperature has maintained in the mid-50s.

As you might expect, swimming near the Rockaway Trout Fishing on Lake Taneycomo Beach area has fallen due to this adjustment. Many tourists who wanted to get in the lake have instead moved on to other activities in Branson. Swimming in a frigid lake was not appealing.

Because the water at Lake Taneycomo is chilly, fishermen quickly discovered that the lake had become a premier destination for trout fishing. Whether you prefer to fly fishing or other tactics, you will need help finding a better place to catch Trout.

Lake Taneycomo became a premier year-round trout fishing destination when the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery was completed in 1957. Discovering the lake devoid of fishermen at any time of year is unusual. Lake Taneycomo combines the best river and lake features, making it an ideal place for fishing, hiking, boating, sightseeing, and other activities.


Lake Taneycomo is well-known for its trout fishing, but it also provides various recreational opportunities such as hiking, sightseeing, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, and water skiing. Visitors visiting Lake Taneycomo can visit the Branson area's restaurants, motels, shopping, and shows. The lake has also become famous for visitors looking to continue their aquatic experience following an exciting trip on other Branson Adventures.


Lake Taneycomo was formed when the White River was dammed by the Powersite Dam in Forsyth, Missouri, in 1913. It was a warm water lake from 1913 to 1958. Tourists began to flock to the lake and its surrounding settlements, Branson and Rockaway Beach, in the 1920s and 1930s.

Water skiing, boating, fishing, tanning, and swimming lured visitors to Lake Taneycomo's beautiful crystal-clear waters. In lakeside communities, restaurants, accommodation, and amusement facilities like bumper cars and see balls were available.


The water source of Lake Taneycomo shifted after the Table Rock Dam was constructed in 1958. The White River's flowing waters flowed from the dam spillway to the bottom tailwater of Table Rock Lake, transforming it into a cold water lake known as Lake Taneycomo. The dam releases clean, cold water from Table Rock Lake's deep tailwaters into Lake Taneycomo. Swimming and water sports were made difficult by Lake Taneycomo's frigid water. Tourism shifted away from Rockaway Beach and toward Branson and Table Rock Lake.


Although tourism at Lake Taneycomo had fallen significantly, fishermen discovered that the lake's cold water made it one of the best trout fishing lakes in the country. The Missouri Department of Conservation built the Shepherd of the Hills Trout Hatchery in 1957. All types of trout fishing, including fly fishing, artificial bait, and live bait fishing, are permitted year-round at Lake Taneycomo.


Lake Taneycomo features both river and lake characteristics. The shallow cooler water near the Table Rock Dam averages 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius), mimics a river, and allows for wading and bank fishing for Trout. Near the Powersite Dam in Forsyth, the lake's average temperature rises, and its depth increases to more than 50 feet (15 meters).


When Table Rock Dam generates power, the current is quite strong over its entire length, the water temperature drops, and the river becomes a very deep, cold, fast-flowing river. The number of generators used to generate energy at Table Rock Dam determines how deep, complex, and rapid the water is.

Lake Taneycomo is also a popular destination for visitors who wish to take in the natural beauty of the lakeside. Lake Taneycomo visitors come to dine at a floating restaurant, stroll along the boardwalk, or see a spectacular fountain show at Branson Landing Promenade. People frequently visit the lake to shop and dine at Branson Landing's many beautiful restaurants.


Branson Jet Boat also provides a regular river excursion in this lake from Branson Landing. Many people visit Lake Taneycomo to escape the busy city streets, have peace of mind, and enjoy the serene surroundings and pleasant settings.


Taking an exciting water activity in Lake Taneycomo is excellent for many thrill seekers, especially if more than the thrilling adventure ride on the Branson Jet Boats is needed to make them fully enjoy everything Branson offers.

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In Branson you cannot just enjoy exciting activities. You will also experience a relaxing dining experience after a full day of the thrilling ride with the Runaway Mountain Coaster in Branson and Branson Jet Boats. Spending a great time in a restaurant is one of the best ways to relax in Branson after a full day of activities at the park. You can find many cheap restaurants that serve delicious cuisine at the park, such as Danna’s BBQ and Burger Shop, Vaskin’s Deli, Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, and Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano. Danna’s BBQ and Burger Shop is a great dining spot to spend a relaxing day after enjoying many exciting activities at Branson Mountain Adventure Park. This eclectic dining spot offers visitors fresh, old-fashioned barbecue cooking and other delectable dishes. This unique restaurant serves nothing fancy, just the freshest and the best meat dishes in town. The restaurant smoked the beef and pork for 12 to 14 hours each night over locally smoked hickory wood. All the meats they process are sourced from reputable vendors who meet their fat content and tenderness standards and are delivered several times a week to ensure freshness. Vaskin’s Deli, located near Branson Mountain Adventure Park, is another beautiful restaurant where you can also enjoy a relaxing day after you become tired. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant serves vegetarian food, deli food, and sandwiches, including the usual Middle Eastern/Mediterranean vegetarian dishes like falafel, hummus, tabouleh, and salads. This restaurant has excellent menu offerings, from sandwiches such as pastrami and cheese served on a wheat hoagie with homemade garlic mayo and mustard to curry chicken served on a bed of lettuce salad with tomatoes and onions. Mel’s Hard Luck Diner, located near the Runaway mountain coaster in Branson, is a 1950s restaurant that offers excellent food in a relaxing environment. Located on West State Highway 76 in Branson, the restaurant also features artists that entertain you while you dine. Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano is a famous Italian restaurant that you can also find near Branson Mountain Adventure Park. This Italian restaurant offers homemade sauces, authentic brick over pizzas, and signature creations made fresh daily, perfectly created in a relaxing atmosphere. Eating at Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano will let you enjoy a unique dining Italian style with glasses raised and dishes passing from hand to hand and enjoy with warm smiles and welcome arms. Try one of their specialities, such as Tiramisu, Spumoni Ice Cream, or even Crème Brulee if you crave desserts. Aside from enjoying a great time at these restaurants after a full day of fun activities at the park, there are many other ways to relax in Branson, such as the following: Tour a Winery With about three wineries in Branson, you could fill the whole day touring the wineries with wine tastings. You can enjoy wine tasting at wineries such as Mount Pleasant Winery, Lindwedel Winery, and Curling Vine Winery. Nothing is more exciting than tasting a glass or two with your partner in each winery that you take a tour of. Once you get inside any of these winery's facilities, you will not only get to try fine wines and food, but you will also get a souvenir wine glass, with the chance to bottle or own wine, browse the winery’s art gallery, and more. Take a Walk Through the Woods Taking a walk is also one of the ways to relax, especially if you stroll along marked trails, breathing in the fresh air as you take in the stunning natural sceneries surrounding you. During the spring and summer, you can enjoy a sea of lush and verdant green. In the fall, on the other hand, you’ll enjoy the beautiful foliage everywhere you turn. And in the winter, the stark brown trees highlight the fairy-like beauty of the snow-covered grounds. So, if you want to relax in Branson, don’t be contented with a great dining experience at some restaurants near the mountain coaster in Branson. You need to take on relaxing activities such as the ones enumerated above. 
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