LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — In close communication with the Army Corps of Engineers, Ameren has closed the Bagnell Dam floodgates as of 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 9 — only 13 hours after opening them wider to handle runoff from Wednesday’s rains.
The floodgates have closed and by 11 a.m., Ameren had reduced water flow to 37,472 cubic feet per second—a drop in nearly 20,000 cfs since midnight. Truman Dam was again closed off completely on Wednesday night, with zero water flow through the floodgates and generators. The actions are due to an Army Corps of Engineers request, as the Missouri River has swollen significantly amid heavy rains and massive water flow through Bagnell Dam.
The reduced flow has dropped the Osage River by about five feet, as measured at the dam. Water levels further down river will be determined by runoff amounts, Ameren noted.
At 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, Lake of the Ozarks was at 659.33 feet and very slowly falling; Truman Lake was around 720 feet and rising.
Ameren expects Truman Dam may resume releasing water again on Friday afternoon, but that will be based on recommendations from the Army Corps of Engineers. Whenever Truman does reopen, Ameren said Bagnell Dam’s floodgates would open as well, to accommodate the increased water flow.
