COE Lake Sharpe Reservoir Left Tailrace Campground

Left Tailrace Campground at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains, was created by completing Big Bend Dam in 1966. Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide various benefits to the public, including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production. It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. Tribal bison herds can be seen grazing the lake area's grasslands north of the towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule. The shoreline areas of the lake also offer excellent waterfowl, upland game birds, and ample game hunting opportunities. Big game animals include whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes, and wild turkeys. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes.