Lake Of The Ozarks' Water Level Is Up Nearly Three Feet In The Past Month

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — During the fall, some locals reported they could no longer get their boats out, as lingering drought conditions resulted in lower Lake of the Ozarks water levels, causing an early end to the boating season for some. By Dec. 9, 2023, the water level was around 656 feet of elevation above sea level: about three feet lower than normal, compared with recent years.

But since then, the Lake has returned to nearly summertime levels.

As of Jan. 9, 2024, the headwater level was around 659.02 feet at 4 p.m., according to an Ameren report — almost a three-foot difference from a month ago. Increased precipitation since mid-December has helped the Lake level. Ameren also typically raises the Lake level going into the new year, before drawing the Lake down in January and February with a target low-level of 654.

From mid-May to mid-September (the summer boating season), Ameren tries to keep the Lake level around 659, before lowering it a bit in the fall. Depending on fluctuations like heavy rains, Ameren will discharge water at faster rates, which can affect the Lake level.

Ameren plans to drop the water level to about 654 feet above sea level by mid-February, to reduce the possibility of flooding during the spring. The drawdown also serves to generate power when it's needed in the cold winter months, when Missourians' furnaces work overtime and solar panels — which Ameren increasingly relies upon for power generation — are at minimum production.

Lake of the Ozarks water level was much lower than normal for the end of 2023, due to ongoing drought conditions in the Midwest, but Ameren's low-level limit for the Lake of the Ozarks is 651, which means the Lake could go that low if it had to.

For some waterfront home owners, even one foot of difference in the water level (measured at Bagnell Dam) can mean the difference between getting the boat on the Lake and not being able to. Water depths along the Lake's 1,150 miles of shoreline vary widely based on local inflows (creeks and rivers) and the steepness of the shore and Lake floor.

In preparation for winter at Lake of the Ozarks, property owners should winterize their docks to avoid damage from ice. This is an important precaution to take as Ameren Missouri begins the winter drawdown process.

View dock winterization tips at the end of this article.

“Water depth can vary significantly from cove to cove, and winterizing docks helps protect them from potential damage caused by periodic fluctuations in lake levels, as well as ice,” said Brad Todd, operations manager at Ameren Missouri’s Osage Energy Center. “Although drought conditions led to lower water levels this fall, we anticipate making adjustments throughout winter in preparation for spring.”

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.

View Lake of the Ozarks real-time weather conditions with LakeExpo's Lake Cams, showing a view of weather around the Lake. Click here.