Lake McConaughy/Lake Oahe Rd trip

davec · Post by **davec** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:51 pm

I had a Road trip planned from the 1st of sept to the 9th out to Lake McConaughy NB and maybe going out to Lake Oahe SD on the way. Has anybody ridden lake Oahe yet. It looked awesome for kiting on the fishing show that I saw it on. As of right now the forcast for McConaughy looks real good for Sat. So I'd probably head straight there. Is anybody going to be there for the Toucan open? I'm going to make my decsion on wether I still go at the last minute but I may have room for one more If somebodys interested unfortinately it'll probalby have to be a kiter cause I don't think I have room for more windsurfing gear, but maybe.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:37 pm

You're gonna love the big Mac. I scored some incredible sessions there last year.

I've driven around Oahe but if I remember correctly it is down in a pretty low valley. You may be able to find a stretch long enough where the wind would drop down, like Pepin.

have fun.

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:49 am

A bunch of us from down in Des Moines are planning on going out to the Toucan Open, as of now I now that Larry Miller from Brainerd area is coming down to head out as well. There are about 6 of us from here that are heading out for that event.

Toucan Open is a great event, last year there were over 40 competitors in the windsurfing racing, but just down the beach the kiting group were set up and at night it is a big party for everyone. We camp right next to the water.

Most of us are leaving Thursday night from Des Moines, but some are driving out Friday.

davec · Post by **davec** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 2:13 pm

I'm thinking I'm going to head out to Oahe tomorrow. The forcast looks perfect for a trip out there. The next 10 days sunny hot and possible wind every day. I'm bringing a kayak and fishing gear incase there is now wind. Theres also little islands with no trees so If I can't find a decend launch maybe I can kayak out to one of those, launch from it and ride some sick flat water. Oahe is like 250 miles long and has over 2000 miles of shoreline so theres a lot of exploring that needs to be done, still looking for another fool to join me. Denis this trip has your name written all over it! Hopefully I'll make it down to the Toucan at the end of the week to hang out with Uffe and the Iowa crew.

Tetley · Post by **Tetley** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:54 am

I sailed Oahe earlier this year and had a great time. Previously the water levels were too low to find any decent access and it still is an issue to an extent. Try heading north out of Pierre on 1804. You’ll come to a water tower on your right and soon there after there will be a dirt “road” to your left heading down toward the water. I had a 4x4 so I was able to drive right up to the water. The water level is so low that at any of the accesses you will find the water to be another mile past any boat launches or official roads. The lake is a reservoir, so there still is water; it just takes some work to get to.

I’m not sure how well it will work for kiting. In the area I was at, the bottom was smooth river rock with a coating of clay which made it extremely slippery. Even though the rigging area (old river bottom) was very flat; the water dropped off immediately about 3’ from shore. This spot worked for windsurfing so I didn’t explore much beyond that, but there may be some better spots on the west side which you can get to by driving over the damn. Anything further north on 1804 seems to involve a good 5 mile dirt detour off 1804; none of which I have experience as to the quality of the launches.

Lake Oahe has potential, but needs further exploring to capitalize on. Have fun and post your experience once you get back.