Increased flow through Bagnell dam causes issues for docks on Osage River

The recent need for electricity has ended in damage to at least five docks at the Lake of the Ozarks. On Monday, Bagnell dam officials increased the flow of water through the dam, in order to generate more electricity. The water flow jumped from 900 cubic feet per second to more than 33,000 cubic feet per second within a few hours. During the increase, ice from the Osage River broke free leaving damage to the docks downstream. Dock owners are now blaming Ameren for not notifying them of the increased water flow. Ameren officials say they only notify downstream property owners when the floodgates are opened, and in this instance, the floodgates were not. The Bagnell dam plant generation went from a minimum flow of 900 cubic feet per second discharge to more than 30,000 cubic feet per second during a six-hour period Monday morning. The plant then generated again from 5pm to midnight before returning to minimum flow.