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Lake Of The Ozarks Dock Owners! Prepare For The Winter Drawdown

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Docks On The Ground In Bear Bottom Resort Cove

Ameren is reminding dock owners around Lake of the Ozarks to prepare their property for the annual Lake level drawdown.

During the first few months of 2022, the water level at the Lake will be lowered to approximately 654-foot mark. The annual winter drawdown reduces the possibility of flooding during spring rains.

Travis Hart, operations manager at Ameren Missouri's Osage Energy Center, urged dock owners to "do a full inspection by checking to make sure everything is prepared for the winter and your dock can follow the water level." He added, "Once drawdown begins, the Lake and Osage River levels will fluctuate as Bagnell Dam releases more water. We want everyone to be aware of these changing conditions so they can avoid damage to their property."

Bagnell Dam water releases can occur at any time. To ensure everyone’s safety, a warning siren will sound from the dam before generators start and stop. Dock owners can obtain up-to-date information on lake water levels and river flows online at AmerenMissouri.com/Lake or by calling for the Lake level daily report at 573.365.9205.

Ameren Missouri also offers the following tips to help both Lake of the Ozarks and Osage River dock owners prepare for the drawdown and winter season:

  • Below the dam, remove docks from the Osage River before freezing occurs.

  • Ensure that hinges, pins and other connections linking docks to seawalls or piers have the flexibility to follow water level fluctuations.

  • Lengthen cables to allow docks to drop as the lake or river levels drop.

  • Use a dock deicer to help protect docks from ice damage. Be aware that a deicer may not provide protection from large ice sheets and blocks.

  • Ask neighbors to keep an eye on the dock or retain a local dock builder or similar contractor to care for the property when the site is unoccupied.

Bagnell Dam holds back water from the Osage River to create Lake of the Ozarks. This stored water fuels Ameren Missouri’s Osage Energy Center, which provides clean energy to Missouri electric customers. Ameren says their continued investment in hydro-powered energy, along with expanded wind and solar generation, will be an important part of enabling Ameren Missouri to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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