Lake of the Ozarks Climate Summary - 2015

Lake Ozark Climate Summary 2015

Bagnell Dam Total Flow - 2015

Corrected.

2015 Annual Lake Levels and Discharge Chart

It was a historic year for Lake of the Ozarks when it comes to lake levels and flow.  Two flooding events, one in July, the other in December, pushed the lake to levels not seen in decades.  The difference between the lowest level of the year and the highest was over 10ft!

Even from just the thumbnail image below, we can see the standout times when levels and flow were at their extremes.

Click here for the original drawing to see details.

Here are some highlights of the numbers.

Highest lake level:  663.83 on December 28th, at 6pm
Lowest lake level: 653.74 on March 5th.
Average lake level for the year: 658.38
Average Summer level: 659.35

Maximum Discharge: 104,617.10 cubic feet per second(cfs) on December 28th at 6pm, representing half of the dams flood control capacity.  This is nearly 3 times the maximum flow of 2014.

Total outflow from the Lake in 2015: approximately 462 billion cubic feet, or three and a half TRILLION gallons, flowing from the lake into the Osage River over the course of 365 days.

Dec 29th Flood Update - Slowly Dropping

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.

Dec 28th Flood Upate - 4PM CST

As of 4pm the lake level continues to rise, now at 663.79.  Discharge has increased to over 103,000 cfs.  Subtracting 35,000 cfs for flow available through the turbines, means 68,000 cfs is passing through the flood gates.  The 12 flood gates are each capable of releasing 13,503 cfs for a total of 162,036 cfs.

By these numbers we can estimate that all 12 flood gates are open approximately 42%.

Docks Breaking Free

This is the Hwy 54 bridge over the Niangua Arm near Camdenton.

This was posted at LakeExpo.com

Picture by Terry Summers

December Flooding Surpasses July's

December 28th.  As of the 2pm CST reading, discharge is being held at about 102,500 cubic feet per second but lake levels are still rising, although slowing down.  Currently the lake is at 663.73.  If discharge remains above 100,000 it is possible the lake will not reach 664.

The maximum flow discharge during the summer flooding peaked at just over 85,000 cubic feet per second with a lake level high of 662.55.

Here's what's happening on the Osage River, below the dam.  Up nearly 16 feet in 48 hours.