By James Beard

Traveler Outdoor News

PIEDMONT, Mo.– The Army Corps of Engineers at Clearwater Lake announced that Annual Day Use Passes for 2010 are now in stock and available at the Clearwater Lake Project Office. The passes cost $30 each.Golden Age or Access Passport or America the Beautiful Senior or Access Passport holders may purchase for $15.

Day Use Passes negate additional fees for swim beach and boat launch use at Piedmont Park, Bluff View Park, and Webb Creek Park. These passes do not apply to camping or picnic shelter reservation fees.

You may purchase a pass in person or via mail. To obtain a pass in person, bring your vehicle(s) license plate number(s) to the Clearwater Lake Office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you use a Golden Age or Access card or the America the Beautiful Senior or Access card, you will need to bring it. We accept cash, check or money order –we request exact amount on cash payment.
By mail, send your name, vehicle license number, and return address with your check or money order to the Clearwater Project Office, RR 3 Box 3559-D, Piedmont, MO 63957. If paying by personal check, please include your driver’s license number on the check. We are required to view your Golden Age/Access card or America the Beautiful Senior/Access card for discounts, therefore, discounts do not apply to mailed requests.

River Road Park, located on the downstream side of the Clearwater Dam, is open all year round. On April 1, Clearwater Lake’s upper Black River campground Highway K Park will open for the 2010 recreation season. Piedmont Park will open April 15. Bluff View and Webb Creek Parks will open May 15.

For more information regarding recreational opportunities at Clearwater Lake, contact the Corps at RR 3 Box 3559D, Piedmont, Mo 63957, or call the Clearwater Project Office at (573) 223-7777. For camping reservations, call the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or visit the Website at www.recreation.gov. Other lake and agency information is on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil/parks/clearwater
Lake and river conditons and forecasts are at the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center at www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/black_white.shtml and the Corps of Engineers Water Control Data System at www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/ .