In preparation for winter on the Lake of the Ozarks, Ameren Missouri is reminding property homeowners to winterize their docks to keep away from harm from freezing water.
This is a vital precaution to take because the utility firm begins the winter drawdown course of, dropping the lake’s water degree to about 654 ft above sea degree to cut back the potential for flooding through the spring. The corporate operates the Osage Vitality Heart at Bagnell Dam, using the lake to generate electrical energy for patrons.
“Whereas lake ranges have been decrease than regular this fall because of drought situations, we nonetheless anticipate the necessity to regulate ranges all through the winter to organize for spring,” mentioned Travis Hart, director of Ameren Missouri’s Hydro Operations, in a information launch. “We wish property homeowners to bear in mind that these fluctuations will happen periodically within the lake and Osage River, and that winterizing their docks can scale back the chance of harm from altering water ranges in addition to from ice.”
Ameren Missouri additionally presents the next ideas to assist dock homeowners put together for winter:
• Beneath the dam, take away docks from the Osage River earlier than freezing happens.
• Make sure that hinges, pins and different connections linking docks to seawalls or piers have the flexibleness to comply with water-level fluctuations.
• Lengthen cables to permit docks to drop because the lake or river ranges drop.
• Use a dock deicer to assist shield docks from ice harm, however bear in mind {that a} deicer could not present safety from massive ice sheets and blocks.
• Ask neighbors to keep watch over the dock or retain a neighborhood dock builder or related contractor to look after the property when the positioning is unoccupied.
Up-to-date info on lake water ranges and river flows can be found at AmerenMissouri.com/Lake, or by calling 573-365-9205.
