September 2018 Lake Levels and Flow Rates

A bit late but I was working on some new numbers for the chart. I can't tell you how much work went in to providing just a few extra numbers! The chart adds the average maximum daily flow in billions of gallons, and the average maximum and minimum lake levels for this time of year, including the average date they are reached. I know! Cool! No? Well, nerding out on data isn't for everyone. :)

I'll try to add even more information as time goes on. It would be great if I could incorporate some weather data alongside a deeper analysis of the entire river valley system of which the Lake of the Ozarks is only a part of, but that's for another day. I also promised to re-visit all of the charts from years past and redo them in the new format, complete with linked images, but it will take time. With any luck by the start of the new year?

click for help on how to read this chart

A very typical September chart for 2018 with the lake well within the average range for levels (as indicated by the orange shaded region on the right side where the lake level gauge is).  The extra numbers I've been working on are multi-year averages (datum 2010-2017) so there's 8 years of comparable data now.

As usual for the winding down of summer, the maximum levels are found at the beginning of September and slowly drop through mid-month where they will likely hold until the end of the year. Flow rates were modest, which is unsurprising given the lack of rain we're experiencing.