LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Tens of thousands of boats form one of the largest flotillas in the world for the annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout every August. But when those boats leave that three-mile stretch all at once, things can get pretty choppy.
Property owners in the area—from the 31 to the 36 Mile Marker and even further each direction—have complained about damage caused to their docks by such a large volume of boats headed down the channel. In 2016, the Missouri State Highway Patrol expanded the Shootout No-Wake Zone to include a nearly five-mile stretch from the 31.5 to the 36 Mile Markers.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Thousands of boaters line up along the 34—and 33, and 35—Mile Mark…
But as the Lake’s waters grow calm with the approach of winter, the agency is considering further steps to protect boaters and private property when the Midwest’s biggest boating event ends.
Shootout Director Ron Duggan has announced that on Jan. 9, the Patrol will hold a public informational meeting, to seek public input on the issue and possible solutions. The Patrol also hopes to hear from any businesses affected by modifying the No-Wake Area, Duggan said.
The meeting will be held at Osage Beach City Hall, at 7 p.m., in the council chambers.
Duggan said the meeting “will be constructive in nature focusing on how they go forward with the Shootout event, while taking into account public safety and damage associated with it.”
