Winter Drawdown! How To Prepare Your Dock As Lake Of The Ozarks' Water Level Drops

With cold temperatures moving in, dock owners at Lake of the Ozarks and on the lower Osage River should begin to prepare their docks for the annual winter drawdown.

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 a list of dock winterization tips at the end of this article.

Lowering the Lake’s water level—the drawdown—helps Ameren prevent complications that may result from changing weather conditions in the coming months.

Ameren reported that as of Saturday, Dec. 14, the Lake of the Ozarks water level was about 658.3 feet above sea level—more than two feet higher compared to the same time last year. 

By Dec. 31, Ameren is likely to raise the Lake another foot to the summer average of 659. Then according to Ameren's Guide curve, the Lake level will be 654 by mid-February. 

While not surprising for many full-timers at the Lake, this means water depth will vary between coves. Ameren suggests winterizing docks to protect them from potential damage caused by water level fluctuations and ice. 

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.

Dock Winterization Tips

The following tips can help both Lake of the Ozarks and Osage River dock owners prepare for the drawdown and winter season:

• 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.

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