Dewey Short Visitors Center

Visitors Center

Dewey Short Visitors Center

The US Army Corps of Engineer’s Dewey Short Visitor Center is located 6 miles west of US Hwy 65 on State Hwy 165 at the south end of Table Rock Dam. The Center is open seven days per week 9 AM until 5 PM from April 1st to October 31st.

The center features three films. The first is a 20 minute film entitled, "Taming of the Riviera Blanche". This film is a fantastic introduction to the Table Rock Lake/White River area and details the construction and purpose of Table Rock Dam. The second is a 14 minute film, "Where Eagles Soar" which depicts the story of how eagles were brought back from endangerment in the state of Missouri. The third film, "The Expedition of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806," runs 32 minutes. The film tells of their exploration, encounters, objectives and accomplishments during their journey. The Visitor Center contains exhibits detailing the natural history of the area.

If you arrive by boat, take advantage of the courtesy dock that is located on the Visitors Center grounds. On the grounds, you may enjoy the day by picnicking, swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving or fishing along the shoreline. Don't forget to make use of the beautiful Table Rock Lakeshore Trail, which is located directly adjacent to the Visitors Center.

Located approximately 6 miles to the southwest of Branson, Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is the largest trout production facility in the Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program. Construction of Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery began in 1957 and the first trout were produced in 1958. The hatchery typically produces 1,125,000 catchable trout annually, weighing 301,000 pounds. Lake Taneycomo receives 700,000 catchable trout per year with 225,000 of these coming from Neosho National Fish Hatchery in Southwest Missouri. The remainder of the trout produced is stocked within other Missouri trout management areas. The primary role for this facility is the production of rainbow and brown trout to meet the Conservation Departments management requirements. This facility also plays an important role in supplying eggs and fingerlings for grow-out at other Conservation Department trout production facilities.

The Shepherd of the Hills hatchery complex occupies 211 acres of land with 84 acres being currently developed. The developed acres occupied by the hatchery include a Conservation Center that receives 250,000 visitors annually and provides a vast amount of information to the public with a focus on fisheries. Also included in the developed area is a hatchery building with various support buildings. The water supply to Shepherd of the Hills is obtained primarily from Table Rock Lake via gravity flow and is augmented by two wells and a raceway eductor driven, partial recirculation system.

This facility completes all trout production phases. Egg incubation and early rearing is completed in the hatchery building in jar type incubation units, and aluminum/fiberglass tanks. Twelve, outdoor concrete raceways are used for intermediate rearing, and final rearing is completed in twenty outdoor concrete raceways. Three earthen ponds are also used for fish production. Spawning and broodstock holding operations are accomplished in four separate raceways. Effluents generated from the rearing units are discharged into upper Lake Taneycomo through four permitted outfalls.

The close proximity of the hatchery to Branson Missouri attracts over 250,000 visitors to the site annually. The high visitor traffic and the large amount of trout production make this facility a very visible portion of the Missouri Department of Conservation trout production program.

Discover uncharted waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment adventures at Branson Landing, located on the waterfront of beautiful Lake Taneycomo in downtown Branson.

At Branson Landing, you will have a whole new world to explore, with Belk Department Store, Bass Pro Shops and over 100 specialty stores and restaurants, PLUS... the NEW Hilton Promenade!

Don't miss the magnificent $7.5 million water fountain spectacular, synchronized to light, sound, music and fire!

Branson Landing features a scenic boardwalk along the 1.5-mile Taneycomo Lakefront. At the heart of the Landing is a vibrant town square terracing down to the $7.5 million spectacular water attraction that features the first-ever merging of water, fire, light and music. You will be amazed by the dazzling interplay of water Fountains shooting 120-foot geysers and fire cannons blasting, all choreographed to light and music.

The water and fire spectacle is a creation of internationally renowned Wet Design, the producers of world-class shows for Downtown Disney marketplace in Orlando, Universal City Walk in California and the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Enjoy spectacular performances of the Branson Landing Fountains starting at Noon daily.