The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began purchasing rights - of - way in June 1963 .
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation started constructing the dam and Waconda Lake in November 1964 .
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began purchasing rights - of - way in June 1963 and started constructing the dam and Waconda Lake in November 1964 .