LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The Lake of the Ozarks water level has reached 654 feet of elevation, as the annual winter drawdown is now in full-effect.

But new dock and homeowners at the Lake may be asking: what is the drawdown, why does it happen, what does that number mean?

Ameren owns and operates Bagnell Dam, and regulates the Lake level throughout the year, in cooperation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The utilities company drops the Lake level by about 6 feet during the winter in anticipation of spring rains, which can fill the Lake quickly. During the winter months, the water level at the Lake is lowered to the 654 mark. Dock owners and residents can visit AmerenMissouri.com/Lake to view the guide curve, which is a series of target water levels over the course of the year.

Currently, the Lake is at some of its lowest levels of the whole year, hovering right around the 654 mark. The "low-level limit" for Ameren is 651 feet, and in recent years, the water level has dropped close to that point. Dam operators are always working with rainfall — or the lack thereof — as well as the outflows from Truman Dam, which feeds directly into Lake of the Ozarks.

“This year, we have many new residents at the Lake who haven’t experienced our winter drawdown before, and we want to make sure they are prepared for the drawdown process,” said Travis Hart, interim operations manager at Ameren Missouri's Osage Energy Center. “During this time, the Lake and Osage River levels will fluctuate as the Bagnell Dam releases more water, and we want everyone to be aware of these changing conditions, so they can avoid damage to their property.”

Dock owners in shallow coves should be prepared, as many return to their Lake home in March to discover their dock is sitting on dry ground. Dock professionals say it's not necessarily bad for a dock to be resting on the Lake floor, as long as it's not a rocky area. But that doesn't mean there aren't some things to take care of before the water level drops.

Ameren Missouri 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, docks should be removed 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.

However, at this time in the spring, it’s a bit late for winter preparation. But the draw-down does give dock-owners the opportunity to do repairs that are easiest when the Lake is down. Now is also a good time for riprap installation, seawall construction and seawall repairs, as lake levels drop and before fish spawning begins. Shoreline property owners should submit their permit applications for evaluation as soon as possible. Permitting forms and more information about shoreline stabilization can be found at AmerenMissouri.com/Lake or by calling the Shoreline office at 573.365.9208.

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.

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