LAKE OZARK, Mo. — Floodwater at the Lake of the Ozarks crested late Thursday morning and started to decline. However, Ameren Missouri officials urge property owners along the Lake and the Osage River to continue precautionary measures for the next couple of days.
Though officials anticipate that the Lake will return to a more normal water level this weekend, Bagnell Dam's floodgates will remain open for another couple weeks to release floodwater built up in neighboring Truman Lake as well as the Lake of the Ozarks. Ameren Missouri closely coordinates water level management with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which runs Truman Lake and manages Osage River water levels.
"We have stopped the increase in the Lake of the Ozarks water levels, assuming we don't receive further significant rainfall," said Warren Witt, director of Hydro Operations at Bagnell Dam. "Water levels at the Lake should return to normal around midday on July 4th."
Still, Ameren Missouri recommends that Lake and Osage River property owners turn off electricity running to their docks or any other structures that might be submerged. As the water levels recede, residents should exercise caution and consider having their structures inspected when turning the power back on.
Boating and swimming enthusiasts also should be wary of downed tree branches or debris in the Lake that the high water may have created, Ameren Missouri officials said. Moreover, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon established a no-wake policy Thursday at the Lake of the Ozarks, limiting boats to idle speed to prevent wake damage to docks, boats and the shoreline.
Please call 1.573.365.9205 for Ameren Missouri's daily report on Lake of the Ozarks water levels, or visit AmerenMissouri.com/lake for hourly Lake water-level information.
