Lake Sakakawea is a reservoir on the Missouri River in North Dakota, located about 50 miles from the city of Bismarck. It is the 3rd largest man-made lake in the United States; only Lake Mead and Lake Powell are bigger. This reservoir was created by the completion of Garrison Dam in 1956 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, hydroelectric power, navigation and irrigation. The creation of the lake displaced members of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation , forcing the creation of New Town .

Lake Sakakwea also serves as a recreational lake for visitors to North Dakota. Activities enjoyed on Lake Sakakawea include boating, swimming and some descent North Dakota fishing.