It appears lake levels crested last night around 10pm and the lake is now dropping as Ameren continues to operate the flood gates around 40% open. The flow rate is also decreasing in tandem. This is a likely attempt to reduce the amount of current this much water is creating. Keeping the water moving, only not too fast, helps prevent excess debris from moving downstream all at once. At this rate however, it will be several days before we see normal lake levels. It is likely this event will delay the start of the normal winter lake drawdown.
At the current rate of decline, the lake will reach normal full pool level of 660' close to the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.
By contrast, the winter drawdown will lower the lake level 10 feet from where it is now.
