Ameren Missouri advises Lake of the Ozarks residents to prepare docks for winter

Annual lake drawdown taking place soon

Dock owners at Lake of the Ozarks and on the Osage River should begin winterizing their docks to prevent damage from freezing water. Ameren Missouri will soon begin its annual drawdown, lowering water levels to below 654 feet above sea level. This process helps minimize the risk of spring flooding.

Dock owners can receive up-to-date information on lake water levels and river flows at AmerenMissouri.com/Lake.

“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.”

Ameren Missouri also offers the following tips for Lake of the Ozarks and Osage River dock owners preparing for the drawdown and winter season:

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

• 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.

Bagnell Dam houses Ameren Missouri's Osage Energy Center, which produces more than 500 million kilowatt-hours of energy for Missouri each year. To learn more about Bagnell Dam and its history, please visit ameren.com/missouri/residential/lake-of-the-ozarks/bagnell-dam.