MISSOURI STATE ARCHIVES
Damming the Osage: The Conflicted Story of Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir

Presented by:
Crystal and Leland Payton

Publish Date:
June 19, 2014

Presentation Length:
1 hour 06 minutes 47 seconds (1:06:47)

Description:
Authors Crystal and Leland Payton speak about their new award-winning book, "Damming the Osage: The Conflicted Story of Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Reservoir," at the Missouri State Archives, a division of Secretary of State's office.

The native people for which the Osage River is named were pushed west, displaced by eastern tribes and a growing American populace. Later, the native prairies of the river’s watershed were significantly altered by the construction of two massive dams, turning the main stem of the river into huge reservoirs. Damming the Osage explores the effects of these multipurpose dams on nature and society, describing a history that is as compelling as it is turbulent.

In journals of soldiers, explorers and missionaries, as well as in old newspaper accounts and court documents, the authors discover stories of bank fraud and slush funds that involve a cast of passionate, insightful and sometimes doomed personalities. Illustrated with hundreds of color photographs, period maps and vintage images, their book presents the dramatic saga of human ambition pitted against natural limitations and forces beyond man's control.

The Missouri State Archives is the official repository for state documents of permanent historic value, and is located at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City. All programs at the Archives are free of charge and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.