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| reference = <ref name="funproj">[http://www.funlake.com/osage-river-project Great Osage River Project] from the website of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau</ref><ref name="asdf">{{cite web | title =Midwest Diving Locations | publisher =Columbus Sea Nags Scuba Diving Club | url =http://www.nn.net/seanag/midwest.htm | access-date =July 14, 2007}}</ref><ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis | 729600 | Lake of the Ozarks | December 2, 2015}}</ref> |
| reference = <ref name="funproj">[http://www.funlake.com/osage-river-project Great Osage River Project] from the website of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau</ref><ref name="asdf">{{cite web | title =Midwest Diving Locations | publisher =Columbus Sea Nags Scuba Diving Club | url =http://www.nn.net/seanag/midwest.htm | access-date =July 14, 2007}}</ref><ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis | 729600 | Lake of the Ozarks | December 2, 2015}}</ref> |
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'''Lake of the Ozarks''' is a [[reservoir]] created by impounding the [[Osage River]] in the northern part of [[the Ozarks]] in central [[Missouri]]. Parts of three smaller tributaries to the Osage are included in the impoundment |
'''Lake of the Ozarks''' is a [[reservoir]] created by impounding the [[Osage River]] in the northern part of [[the Ozarks]] in central [[Missouri]]. Parts of three smaller tributaries to the Osage are included in the impoundment - the [[Niangua River]], [[Grandglaize Creek]], and [[Gravois Creek]]. The lake has a surface area of {{convert|54000|acre|km2}} and {{convert|1150|mi|km}} of shoreline. The main channel of the Osage Arm stretches {{convert|92|mi|km|0}} from one end to the other. The total drainage area is over {{convert|14000|sqmi|km2|-3}}. The lake's serpentine shape has earned it the nickname "the Missouri Dragon", which has, in turn, inspired the names of local institutions such as the Magic Dragon Street Meet.<ref name="MagicDragon">{{cite web|url=http://www.magicdragonstreetmeet.com/magic-dragon-car-show.asp|title=Magic Dragon Street Meet Lake of the Ozarks : Car Show Lake of the Ozarks MO|publisher=Lake Area Chamber of Commerce|access-date=July 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715192134/http://www.magicdragonstreetmeet.com/magic-dragon-car-show.asp|archive-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Aerial of the Lake of the Ozarks, "Missouri Dragon".jpg|thumb|left|1945 aerial of Lake of the Ozarks |
[[File:Aerial of the Lake of the Ozarks, "Missouri Dragon".jpg|thumb|left|A1945 aerial view of Lake of the Ozarks]] |
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A hydroelectric power plant on the Osage River was first pursued by [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] developer Ralph Street in 1912. He put together the initial funding and began building roads, railroads, and infrastructure necessary to begin construction of a dam, with a plan to impound a much smaller lake. In the mid-1920s, Street's funding dried up, and he abandoned the effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakeozark.com/lakeoftheozarks.html|title=Lake of the Ozarks - Lake Ozark, MO|website=www.lakeozark.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509072227/http://www.lakeozark.com/lakeoftheozarks.html|archive-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref> |
A hydroelectric power plant on the Osage River was first pursued by [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] developer Ralph Street in 1912. He put together the initial funding and began building roads, railroads, and infrastructure necessary to begin construction of a dam, with a plan to impound a much smaller lake. In the mid-1920s, Street's funding dried up, and he abandoned the effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakeozark.com/lakeoftheozarks.html|title=Lake of the Ozarks - Lake Ozark, MO|website=www.lakeozark.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509072227/http://www.lakeozark.com/lakeoftheozarks.html|archive-date=May 9, 2008}}</ref> |
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The lake was created by the construction of the |
The lake was created by the construction of the 2,543-foot-long (775 m) [[Bagnell Dam]] by the [[Union Electric Company]] of [[St. Louis, Missouri]]. The principal engineering firm was [[Stone and Webster]]. Construction began August 8, 1929, and was completed in April 1931; the lake reached spillway elevation on May 20, 1931. Looking closely, the map of the lake is shaped somewhat like a [[dragon]]. |
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During construction, the lake was referred to as Osage Reservoir or Lake Osage. The [[Missouri General Assembly]] officially named it Lake Benton after Senator [[Thomas Hart Benton (senator)|Thomas Hart Benton]]. None of the names stuck, as it was popularly referred to by its location at the northern edge of [[the Ozarks]]. The electric generating station, however, is still referred to by the utility company as the |
During construction, the lake was referred to as Osage Reservoir or Lake Osage. The [[Missouri General Assembly]] officially named it Lake Benton after Senator [[Thomas Hart Benton (senator)|Thomas Hart Benton]]. None of the names stuck, as it was popularly referred to by its location at the northern edge of [[the Ozarks]]. The electric generating station, however, is still referred to by the utility company as the Osage Hydroelectric Plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakehistory.info/lakename.html|title=Lake of the Ozarks Name|website=www.lakehistory.info}}</ref> |
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While some sources indicate that more than 20 towns, villages and settlements were permanently flooded to create the lake, |
While some sources indicate that more than 20 towns, villages, and settlements were permanently flooded to create the lake, the actual number was closer to eight. Several other settlements had been previously abandoned, were relocated to make way for the lake, or were on high enough ground that the creation of the lake did not affect them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lakehistory.info/sunkentownsites.html |title=The Myth of the Sunken Townsites |last=Gillespie |first=Michael |date=2008 |website=lakehistory.info |publisher=The Lake Area History Pages! |location=Lone Jack, MO |access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref> |
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At the time of construction, Lake of the Ozarks was the largest [[man-made lake]] in the United States and one of the largest in the world. It was created to provide [[hydroelectric power]] for customers of Union Electric, but it quickly became a significant tourist destination. Most of its shoreline is privately owned, unlike many flood-control lakes in the region that were constructed by the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]]. The relatively stable surface elevation has created conditions suitable for private development within a few feet of the shoreline. |
At the time of construction, Lake of the Ozarks was the largest [[man-made lake]] in the United States and one of the largest in the world. It was created to provide [[hydroelectric power]] for customers of Union Electric, but it quickly became a significant tourist destination. Most of its shoreline is privately owned, unlike many flood-control lakes in the region that were constructed by the [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]]. The relatively stable surface elevation has created conditions suitable for private development within a few feet of the shoreline. Over 70,000 homes are along the lake, many of which are vacation homes. The lake is now a major resort area, and more than 5 million people visit annually.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} |
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In 2011, the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] (FERC) renewed the lease for the power plant operated by Ameren Missouri. In the process, FERC determined that numerous homes and structures were encroaching on utility land in violation of federal regulations. According to the ''Boston Globe'', this issue "has triggered panic in the area's lakefront communities and led to a growing battle among regulators, a utility company, land attorneys, and the state's congressional delegation."<ref name="Mrubotmlh_2011">{{Citation |url = http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/11/07/mo_residents_upset_by_order_to_move_lake_homes/ |year = 2011 |title = Mo. residents upset by order to move lake homes |first = Chris |last = Blank |newspaper = Boston.com |access-date = November 7, 2011}}</ref> |
In 2011, the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] (FERC) renewed the lease for the power plant operated by Ameren Missouri. In the process, the FERC determined that numerous homes and structures were encroaching on utility land in violation of federal regulations. According to the ''Boston Globe'', this issue "has triggered panic in the area's lakefront communities and led to a growing battle among regulators, a utility company, land attorneys, and the state's congressional delegation."<ref name="Mrubotmlh_2011">{{Citation |url = http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/11/07/mo_residents_upset_by_order_to_move_lake_homes/ |year = 2011 |title = Mo. residents upset by order to move lake homes |first = Chris |last = Blank |newspaper = Boston.com |access-date = November 7, 2011}}</ref> |
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In 2015, FERC issued an order allowing Ameren Missouri to pursue permits for |
In 2015, FERC issued an order allowing Ameren Missouri to pursue permits for about 215 structures that were termed as "nonconforming." Those were the structures remaining in limbo after Ameren was given approval to redraw the project lines encompassing Lake of the Ozarks.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 6, 2014|title=FERC accepts shoreline structures|work=Lake News Online|url=https://www.lakenewsonline.com/article/20140306/NEWS/140309191|access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref> |
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Recently, the lake has been impacted by several extreme weather events. In 2019, the lake was |
Recently, the lake has been impacted by several extreme weather events. In 2019, the lake was hit by the [[2019 Midwestern U.S. floods|floods]]. In 2021, the lake froze over during a [[February 2021 North American cold wave|cold wave]], the first time the lake had frozen over in 20 years, according to Ameren Missouri.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bechtold |first=Nathan |title=DOCK ICE: Lake Of The Ozarks Is Freezing Over, Here’s How To Protect Your Dock & Boat |url=https://www.lakeexpo.com/boating/boat_safety/dock-ice-lake-of-the-ozarks-is-freezing-over-here-s-how-to-protect-your/article_10d9b55c-7088-11eb-9e2a-634aabec59ed.html |access-date=March 31, 2022 |website=LakeExpo.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Sydney Moran, KOMU 8 |title=Ice damages docks at Lake of the Ozarks |url=https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/ice-damages-docks-at-lake-of-the-ozarks/article_62d29486-7471-11eb-9106-6b650651b9bd.html |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=KOMU 8 |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the lake levels was low due to [[2020–2022 North American drought|a drought]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bechtold |first=Nathan |title=No, You're Not Imagining It: Lake Of The Ozarks' Water Level Is Lower Than Normal |url=https://www.lakeexpo.com/boating/the_lake/no-youre-not-imagining-it-lake-of-the-ozarks-water-level-is-lower-than-normal/article_4dc69372-5c54-11ed-8056-af19372df07c.html |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=LakeExpo.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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The Lake of the Ozarks is located within the Ozark Mountains with |
The Lake of the Ozarks is located within the Ozark Mountains, with Bagnell Dam lying at an elevation of {{convert|659|ft|m}} above sea level.<ref name=gnis/><ref>''Lake Ozark, MO,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1959 (1981 rev.)</ref> It lies in central Missouri on the Salem Plateau of the [[Ozarks]].<ref name=Physio>{{cite web | title = Physiographic Regions of Missouri [Map] | publisher = Missouri Department of Natural Resources | date = 2002 | url = http://dnr.mo.gov/geology/adm/publications/docs/map-ShdRelief.pdf | access-date = December 2, 2015}}</ref> The lake extends across four Missouri counties, from [[Benton County, Missouri|Benton County]] in the west through [[Camden County, Missouri|Camden]] and [[Morgan County, Missouri|Morgan]] Counties to [[Miller County, Missouri|Miller County]] in the east.<ref name=MODOT>{{cite web | title = Missouri Highway Map | publisher = Missouri Department of Transportation | date = 2013 | url = http://www.modot.org/missourimap/documents/PDF_Mo_Mapfront2013.pdf | access-date = December 2, 2015}}</ref> |
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The reservoir is impounded at its northeastern end by Bagnell Dam, and the Osage River is both its primary inflow and outflow.<ref name=MODOT/> Long and winding in shape, the lake consists of the main, {{convert|93|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} Osage River channel |
The reservoir is impounded at its northeastern end by Bagnell Dam, and the Osage River is both its primary inflow and outflow.<ref name=MODOT/> Long and winding in shape, the lake consists of the main, {{convert|93|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} Osage River channel ands several [[Arm (geography)|arms]], each fed by a different tributary.<ref name=Hydrology/><ref name=MODOT/> The southwestern arm is fed by the [[Niangua River|Niangua]] and [[Little Niangua River|Little Niangua]] rivers,<ref name=Camden>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Camden County | publisher = Missouri Department of Transportation | date = June 2011 | url = http://modot.org/newsandinfo/documents/camden.pdf | access-date = December 2, 2015}}</ref> the southeastern arm by Grandglaize Creek,<ref name=Miller>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Miller County | publisher = Missouri Department of Transportation | date = October 2011 | url = http://modot.org/newsandinfo/documents/miller_001.pdf | access-date = December 2, 2015}}</ref> and the northern arm by several streams including Gravois, Indian, and Little Gravois creeks.<ref name=Morgan>{{cite web | title = General Highway Map - Morgan County | publisher = Missouri Department of Transportation | date = December 2011 | url = http://modot.org/newsandinfo/documents/morgan_000.pdf | access-date = December 2, 2015}}</ref> Many smaller tributaries also drain into the lake, creating numerous small coves and indentations in its shore.<ref name=Camden/><ref name=Miller/><ref name=Morgan/> As a result, the lake has around {{convert|1150|mi|km}} of shoreline.<ref name="funproj"/> |
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[[U.S. Route 54]] runs east–west across the reservoir's southwestern arm and then generally northeast–southwest along its eastern shoreline, crossing the southeastern arm at [[Osage Beach, Missouri|Osage Beach]] and crosses the [[Grand Glaize Bridge]]. [[Missouri Route 5]] runs generally north–south along the lake's western shoreline, crossing the main channel at [[Hurricane Deck, Missouri|Hurricane Deck]]. [[Missouri Route 7]] runs generally northwest–southeast to the lake's southwest, crossing the southwestern arm. [[Missouri Route 134]] runs southeast from U.S. 54 north of Osage Beach to its southern terminus in [[Lake of the Ozarks State Park]]. [[Missouri Route 42|Route 42]] connects to Route 134 and US 54 in Osage Beach. [[Missouri Route 242|Route 242]] connects US 54 to near [[Village of Four Seasons, Missouri|Village of Four Seasons]]. In addition, a network of [[Missouri supplemental route|supplemental state routes]] provides access to various points along the lake shore.<ref name=MODOT/> |
[[U.S. Route 54]] runs east–west across the reservoir's southwestern arm and then generally northeast–southwest along its eastern shoreline, crossing the southeastern arm at [[Osage Beach, Missouri|Osage Beach]] and crosses the [[Grand Glaize Bridge]]. [[Missouri Route 5]] runs generally north–south along the lake's western shoreline, crossing the main channel at [[Hurricane Deck, Missouri|Hurricane Deck]]. [[Missouri Route 7]] runs generally northwest–southeast to the lake's southwest, crossing the southwestern arm. [[Missouri Route 134]] runs southeast from U.S. 54 north of Osage Beach to its southern terminus in [[Lake of the Ozarks State Park]]. [[Missouri Route 42|Route 42]] connects to Route 134 and US 54 in Osage Beach. [[Missouri Route 242|Route 242]] connects US 54 to near [[Village of Four Seasons, Missouri|Village of Four Seasons]]. In addition, a network of [[Missouri supplemental route|supplemental state routes]] provides access to various points along the lake shore.<ref name=MODOT/> |
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Numerous settlements are located near or on the Lake of the Ozarks. With a population of 4,570, the largest city is |
Numerous settlements are located near or on the Lake of the Ozarks. With a population of 4,570, the largest city is Osage Beach, which sits where the lake's southeastern arm joins the main channel. The second-largest is the city of [[Camdenton, Missouri|Camdenton]], located a few miles east of the southwestern arm. [[Lake Ozark, Missouri|Lake Ozark]] lies immediately north of Osage Beach and just south of Bagnell Dam. Other, smaller communities along or near the lake include (from east to west): [[Kaiser, Missouri|Kaiser]], [[Lakeside, Missouri|Lakeside]], [[Linn Creek, Missouri|Linn Creek]], Village of Four Seasons, [[Rocky Mount, Missouri|Rocky Mount]], [[Sunrise Beach, Missouri|Sunrise Beach]], [[Hurricane Deck, Missouri|Hurricane Deck]], [[Gravois Mills, Missouri|Gravois Mills]], [[Laurie, Missouri|Laurie]], and [[Lakeview Heights, Missouri|Lakeview Heights]].<ref name=MODOT/> |
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==Hydrography== |
==Hydrography== |
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The Lake of the Ozarks has a storage capacity |
The Lake of the Ozarks has a storage capacity around {{convert|1927000|acre-ft|m3}}.<ref name=Hydrology/> When filled to that volume, it has a surface elevation of {{convert|660|ft|m}} and occupies a surface area of approximately {{convert|54000|acres|km2}}.<ref name="funproj"/><ref name=Level>{{cite web | title = Lake Ozark Guide Curve - 2015 | publisher = Ameren Missouri | url = http://apps.ameren.com/HydroElectric/Reports/Osage/GuideCurve.aspx | access-date = December 3, 2015}}</ref> The lake rarely varies in surface elevation by more than {{convert|5|ft|m}}.<ref name=Level/> As it was constructed for power generation, not [[flood control]], the lake has only limited flood-control capacity.<ref name=Hydrology/> |
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Due to its large volume and surface area, various sources identify the Lake of the Ozarks as either the largest reservoir in Missouri or the second-largest after [[Truman Reservoir]].<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Foley | first1 = William E. | last2 = McCandless | first2 = Perry | title = Missouri Then and Now | publisher = University of Missouri Press | date = 2001 | location = Columbia, MO | page = 37}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | last = Keefer | first = Greg | title = 10 Great Missouri Bass Lakes | magazine = Game & Fish | date = August 31, 2011 | url = http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_bass-fishing_10_great_missouri_bass_lakes_051011/ | access-date = December 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Lakes in Missouri, United States | publisher = Lakes Online | url = http://www.lakesonline.com/USA/Missouri/ | access-date = December 3, 2015}}</ref> |
Due to its large volume and surface area, various sources identify the Lake of the Ozarks as either the largest reservoir in Missouri or the second-largest after [[Truman Reservoir]].<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Foley | first1 = William E. | last2 = McCandless | first2 = Perry | title = Missouri Then and Now | publisher = University of Missouri Press | date = 2001 | location = Columbia, MO | page = 37}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | last = Keefer | first = Greg | title = 10 Great Missouri Bass Lakes | magazine = Game & Fish | date = August 31, 2011 | url = http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/fishing_bass-fishing_10_great_missouri_bass_lakes_051011/ | access-date = December 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Lakes in Missouri, United States | publisher = Lakes Online | url = http://www.lakesonline.com/USA/Missouri/ | access-date = December 3, 2015}}</ref> |
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==Infrastructure== |
==Infrastructure== |
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=== Bridges and |
=== Bridges and dams === |
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A large number of bridges |
A large number of bridges had been constructed for efficient crossing of the lake. [[Niangua Bridge]], built in 1936, was replaced by a girder bridge in 2003. The [[Niangua Arm US 54 Bridge]], built in 1931. was replaced by a girder bridge in 1999. |
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[[Niangua Bridge]] - Built in 1936; replaced by a girder bridge in 2003. |
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[[Niangua Arm US 54 Bridge]] - Built in 1931; replaced by a girder bridge in 1999. |
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==== Hurricane Deck Bridge ==== |
==== Hurricane Deck Bridge ==== |
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{{Main|Hurricane Deck Bridge}} |
{{Main|Hurricane Deck Bridge}} |
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[[File:Hurricane Deck Bridge, 1939.jpg|thumb|Hurricane Deck Bridge, 1939-2013]] |
[[File:Hurricane Deck Bridge, 1939.jpg|thumb|Hurricane Deck Bridge, 1939-2013]] |
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The Hurricane Deck Bridge is a delta |
The Hurricane Deck Bridge is a delta-frame bridge located in the west side of Lake of the Ozarks. Stretching over {{Convert|2,280.3|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|28.0|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} wide, the bridge was established to connect Laurie with Camdenton. The bridge was originally constructed in 1934 as a truss-arch bridge, but this bridge was replaced in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.modot.org/business/contractor_resources/bid_opening_info/documents/J5P2188ATCMeetingInformation.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223185318/http://www.modot.org/business/contractor_resources/bid_opening_info/documents/J5P2188ATCMeetingInformation.pdf |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |access-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> The first bridge's structure was similar to the structure of the [[I-35W Mississippi River bridge]], which had collapsed six years before the bridge was destroyed. After the replacement opened in 2013, the original bridge was destroyed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LakeExpo.com |title=PHOTOS: Hurricane Deck Bridge Demolition |url=https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/photos-hurricane-deck-bridge-demolition/article_d92c77be-6047-11e3-bb09-001a4bcf887a.html |access-date=September 20, 2021 |website=LakeExpo.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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==== Grand Glaize Bridge ==== |
==== Grand Glaize Bridge ==== |
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{{Main|Grand Glaize Bridge}} |
{{Main|Grand Glaize Bridge}} |
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Originally built in 1930, the bridge crosses the [[Grand Glaize Arm]] of the |
Originally built in 1930, the bridge crosses the [[Grand Glaize Arm]] of the lake in Osage Beach, Missouri. It carries [[U.S. Route 54 in Missouri|U.S. Route 54]] and connects Osage Beach to Camdenton. Originally, one girder bridge carried both directions of traffic; a second girder bridge was constructed in 1984, enabling traffic to pass over the lake in both directions using separate bridges. It has undergone a significant number of improvements since its original construction, and now supports three lanes of traffic in both directions. |
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==== Bagnell Dam ==== |
==== Bagnell Dam ==== |
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{{Main|Bagnell Dam}} |
{{Main|Bagnell Dam}} |
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[[File:UserKTrimble-AP of Bagnell Dam MO 2011-03-01.jpg|thumb|Bagnell Dam]] |
[[File:UserKTrimble-AP of Bagnell Dam MO 2011-03-01.jpg|thumb|Bagnell Dam]] |
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Originally constructed in 1931, Bagnell Dam is the only major dam supporting Lake of the Ozarks. Located in Miller County near Camden County, the dam is 2,543 |
Originally constructed in 1931, Bagnell Dam is the only major dam supporting Lake of the Ozarks. Located in Miller County near Camden County, the dam is 2,543 ft (775 m) long and 148 ft (48 m) tall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bagnell Dam Facts and Figures |url=http://www.lakehistory.info/damfacts.html |website=Lake Area History Pages}}</ref> The dam was originally constructed by the [[Union Electric Company]] (now [[Ameren]]) to provide hydroelectric power to the nearby Osage Powerplant (located near the base of the dam) and support two-way traffic on a narrow highway above the dam (Bagnell Dam Boulevard). Since its original construction, the dam has undergone a number of significant infrastructure upgrades throughout the 2010s. The dam has 12 floodgates, which fully open when the lake floods. In 2019, the floodgates were open due to the Lake of the Ozarks being hit by the flooding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bagnell Dam Floodgates Open, Possibly For Weeks |url=https://www.lakeexpo.com/boating/the_lake/bagnell-dam-floodgates-open-possibly-for-weeks/article_e0efe650-8cc6-11e9-99ae-d3e7d0219ec7.html |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=LakeExpo.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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==== Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge ==== |
==== Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge ==== |
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{{Main|Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge}} |
{{Main|Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge}} |
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[[File:Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge.jpg|thumb|Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge]] |
[[File:Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge.jpg|thumb|Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge]] |
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The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge is a [[continuous truss bridge]] in Lake Ozark. The bridge is over {{Convert|2695|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|72|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, Missouri {{!}} FHWA - Center for Innovative Finance Support - Project Profiles |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/project_profiles/mo_lake_of_the_ozarks_community_bridge.aspx |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=www.fhwa.dot.gov}}</ref> Built in 1998, |
The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge is a [[continuous truss bridge]] in Lake Ozark. The bridge is over {{Convert|2695|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|72|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, Missouri {{!}} FHWA - Center for Innovative Finance Support - Project Profiles |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/project_profiles/mo_lake_of_the_ozarks_community_bridge.aspx |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=www.fhwa.dot.gov}}</ref> Built in 1998, it is one of the newest bridges in the Lake of the Ozarks area, primarily built to connect the east (towards Lake Ozark and Osage Beach) and west sides (towards [[Sunrise Beach, Missouri|Sunrise Beach]] and Camdenton) of Lake of the Ozarks. Furthermore, the bridge is the only toll bridge in the Lake of the Ozarks area, with a toll that varies between seasons. The bridge is expected to be toll-free by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bechtold |first=Ariel Thibodeau & Nathan |title=Lake Of The Ozarks' Toll Bridge Could Be Free By 2026 |url=https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/business/lake-of-the-ozarks-toll-bridge-could-be-free-by-2026/article_3df42526-f9a2-11e9-be67-7f0878c95fff.html |access-date=November 5, 2022 |website=LakeExpo.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Management== |
==Management== |
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[[File:Bagnell dam entrance sign.jpg|thumb|right|Sign near Bagnell Dam highlighting the use of Ameren energy]] |
[[File:Bagnell dam entrance sign.jpg|thumb|right|Sign near Bagnell Dam highlighting the use of Ameren energy]] |
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Bagnell Dam is operated and maintained by Ameren Missouri, the successor of Union Electric, under the authority of a permit issued by the |
Bagnell Dam is operated and maintained by Ameren Missouri, the successor of Union Electric, under the authority of a permit issued by the FERC. Ameren Missouri is also responsible for managing both the [[Freshwater shoreline management|shoreline]] and water levels of the lake. All land surrounding the lake that is within the project boundary defined by the FERC is under the company's jurisdiction. Any improvements to the shoreline, including docks, seawalls, and other structures, require permission from Ameren Missouri prior to construction.<ref>{{cite web | title = Shoreline Management | publisher = Ameren Missouri | url = https://www.ameren.com/missouri/lake-of-the-ozarks/shoreline-management-plan-ameren | access-date = December 18, 2015}}</ref> |
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==Tourism and recreation== |
==Tourism and recreation== |
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[[File:Party-cove1.jpg|thumb|right|Anderson Hollow Cove, informally known as [[Party Cove]], in 2007 |
[[File:Party-cove1.jpg|thumb|right|Anderson Hollow Cove, informally known as [[Party Cove]], in 2007]] |
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During the process of land acquisition for the lake during the 1920s, {{convert|17500|acre|km2|0}} of land were set aside for a national park along the Grand Glaize Arm of the lake. In 1946, this land was acquired by the State of Missouri for [[Lake of the Ozarks State Park]], the largest [[List of Missouri state parks| |
During the process of land acquisition for the lake during the 1920s, {{convert|17500|acre|km2|0}} of land were set aside for a national park along the Grand Glaize Arm of the lake. In 1946, this land was acquired by the State of Missouri for [[Lake of the Ozarks State Park]], the largest [[List of Missouri state parks|state park in Missouri]]. Another state park on the shores of the lake is [[Ha Ha Tonka State Park]] on the [[Niangua River|Niangua Arm]] of the lake. |
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Lake of the Ozarks State Park is home to [[Party Cove]], a gathering spot that a [[The New York Times |
Lake of the Ozarks State Park is home to [[Party Cove]], a gathering spot that a'' [[The New York Times]]'' writer called the "oldest established permanent floating [[bacchanal]] in the country."<ref name="nyt">[http://travel.nytimes.com/2005/07/22/travel/escapes/22cove.html Party Cove: Wild in the Ozarks], a July 2005 article from ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref> The Missouri State Water Patrol has estimated that the cove attracts up to 3,000 boats during the [[Independence Day (United States of America)|Fourth of July]] weekend.<ref name="nyt"/> |
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During the 2020 [[COVID-19 pandemic]] the Lake of the Ozarks gained notoriety when on [[Memorial Day]] (May 25, 2020) a large crowd congregated at the lake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/memorial-day-weekend-crowds-at-lake-of-the-ozarks-appear-to-not-be-observing-social-distancing/63-44d7096c-431f-4879-86ff-00ef252781b6|title = Memorial Day weekend crowds at Lake of the Ozarks appear to not be observing social distancing|date = May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/24/lake-ozarks-missouri-coronavirus-social-distancing/| title = Crowd ignores social distancing in Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks - The Washington Post}}</ref> |
During the 2020 [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Lake of the Ozarks gained notoriety when on [[Memorial Day]] (May 25, 2020) a large crowd congregated at the lake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/memorial-day-weekend-crowds-at-lake-of-the-ozarks-appear-to-not-be-observing-social-distancing/63-44d7096c-431f-4879-86ff-00ef252781b6|title = Memorial Day weekend crowds at Lake of the Ozarks appear to not be observing social distancing|date = May 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/24/lake-ozarks-missouri-coronavirus-social-distancing/| title = Crowd ignores social distancing in Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks - The Washington Post}}</ref> |
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On April 1, 2012, |
On April 1, 2012, biologist and TV personality [[Jeremy Wade]] visited the lake and filmed an episode on the large catfish that could be caught there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeremy Wade Goes in Search of ‘Catfish Big Enough to Swallow a Man’ – Discovery, Inc. |url=https://corporate.discovery.com/blog/2012/04/01/jeremy-wade-goes-in-search-of-catfish-big-enough-to-swallow-a-man/ |access-date=October 14, 2022 |website=corporate.discovery.com}}</ref> |
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In 2021, |
In 2021, [[Osage Casino]] management announced it planned build in the Lake of the Ozarks area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Joey |title=Osage Nation of Oklahoma announces plans to build casino in Lake of the Ozarks region |url=https://www.ky3.com/2021/10/29/osage-nation-oklahoma-announces-plans-build-casino-lake-ozarks-region/ |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=www.ky3.com |language=en}}</ref> Construction had not begun in April 2022, but demolition of the former [[Quality Inn]] was completed where the casino will be located.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Osage Nation launches website for updates on Lake of the Ozarks gaming plans |url=https://osagenews.org/osage-nation-launches-website-for-updates-on-lake-of-the-ozarks-gaming-plans/ |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=Osage News |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Events == |
== Events == |
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{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2021}} |
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2021}} |
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AquaPolooza takes place each July. Attendees gather on rafts and inflatable tubes. Live music is usually played from noon to 5 pm as boaters link up their boats to one another.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} |
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At the end of every summer, the Lake of the Ozarks holds an event called " |
At the end of every summer, the Lake of the Ozarks holds an event called "the Shootout". It is the biggest powerboat racing event of the year at the lake and runs over a three-mile course. |
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On the last Saturday of February of every year, the Lake of the Ozarks holds a [[ |
On the last Saturday of February of every year, the Lake of the Ozarks holds a [[polar bear plunge]] event as a [[fundraiser]] for [[Special Olympics]] in Missouri. |
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==In popular media== |
==In popular media== |
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The TV series ''[[Ozark (TV series)|Ozark]]'' is set in Osage Beach though filmed in |
The TV series ''[[Ozark (TV series)|Ozark]]'' is set in Osage Beach, though filmed in Georgia. In November 2017, it was reported that the series helped increase tourism and notoriety of the Lake of the Ozarks, but did not have a significant economic impact.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2017/11/24/netflix-show-ozark-brings-notoriety-but-not-much-business-lake-ozarks-resort/880335001/ |title=Netflix show 'Ozark' brings notoriety, but not much business to Lake of the Ozarks resort |website=[[Springfield News-Leader]] |first=Harrison |last=Keegan |date=November 23, 2017 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001352/https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2017/11/24/netflix-show-ozark-brings-notoriety-but-not-much-business-lake-ozarks-resort/880335001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2018, a real-life restaurant called Marty Byrde's, inspired by the series, was opened in Lake Ozark, Missouri, and includes menu items based on the show, including Ruth's Smoked Wings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ky3.com/content/news/New-restaurant-inspired-by-Netflixs-Ozark-to-open-in-Lake-Ozark-474441613.html |title=New restaurant inspired by Netflix's "Ozark" to open in Lake Ozark |website=[[KYTV (TV)|KY3]] |first=Andrew |last=Havranek |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117001402/https://www.ky3.com/content/news/New-restaurant-inspired-by-Netflixs-Ozark-to-open-in-Lake-Ozark-474441613.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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| Lake of the Ozarks | |
|---|---|
Aerial panorama of Lake of the Ozarks
| |
  Lake of the Ozarks Show map of Missouri  Lake of the Ozarks Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Benton, Camden, Miller, and Morgan Counties in Missouri |
| Coordinates | 38°12′09″N 92°37′35″W / 38.20250°N 92.62639°W / 38.20250; -92.62639 |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Grandglaize Creek, Gravois Creek, Niangua River, Osage River |
| Primary outflows | Osage River |
| Catchment area | 14,000 sq mi (36,300 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Ameren Missouri |
| Built | August 6, 1929 (1929-08-06) |
| First flooded | February 2, 1931 (1931-02-02) |
| Max. length | 93 miles (150 km)[1] |
| Surface area | 54,000 acres (220 km2)[2] |
| Max. depth | 130 ft (40 m)[3] |
| Water volume | 1,927,000 acre⋅ft (2.377×109 m3)[1] |
| Residence time | 2-4 months |
| Shore length1 | 1,150 miles (1,850 km) |
| Surface elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Settlements | Camdenton, Gravois Mills, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, Village of Four Seasons |
| References | [2][3][4] |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake of the Ozarks is a reservoir created by impounding the Osage River in the northern part of the Ozarks in central Missouri. Parts of three smaller tributaries to the Osage are included in the impoundment - the Niangua River, Grandglaize Creek, and Gravois Creek. The lake has a surface area of 54,000 acres (220 km2) and 1,150 miles (1,850 km) of shoreline. The main channel of the Osage Arm stretches 92 miles (148 km) from one end to the other. The total drainage area is over 14,000 square miles (36,000 km2). The lake's serpentine shape has earned it the nickname "the Missouri Dragon", which has, in turn, inspired the names of local institutions such as the Magic Dragon Street Meet.[5]
A hydroelectric power plant on the Osage River was first pursued by Kansas City developer Ralph Street in 1912. He put together the initial funding and began building roads, railroads, and infrastructure necessary to begin construction of a dam, with a plan to impound a much smaller lake. In the mid-1920s, Street's funding dried up, and he abandoned the effort.[6]
The lake was created by the construction of the 2,543-foot-long (775 m) Bagnell Dam by the Union Electric CompanyofSt. Louis, Missouri. The principal engineering firm was Stone and Webster. Construction began August 8, 1929, and was completed in April 1931; the lake reached spillway elevation on May 20, 1931. Looking closely, the map of the lake is shaped somewhat like a dragon.
During construction, the lake was referred to as Osage Reservoir or Lake Osage. The Missouri General Assembly officially named it Lake Benton after Senator Thomas Hart Benton. None of the names stuck, as it was popularly referred to by its location at the northern edge of the Ozarks. The electric generating station, however, is still referred to by the utility company as the Osage Hydroelectric Plant.[7]
While some sources indicate that more than 20 towns, villages, and settlements were permanently flooded to create the lake, the actual number was closer to eight. Several other settlements had been previously abandoned, were relocated to make way for the lake, or were on high enough ground that the creation of the lake did not affect them.[8]
At the time of construction, Lake of the Ozarks was the largest man-made lake in the United States and one of the largest in the world. It was created to provide hydroelectric power for customers of Union Electric, but it quickly became a significant tourist destination. Most of its shoreline is privately owned, unlike many flood-control lakes in the region that were constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The relatively stable surface elevation has created conditions suitable for private development within a few feet of the shoreline. Over 70,000 homes are along the lake, many of which are vacation homes. The lake is now a major resort area, and more than 5 million people visit annually.[citation needed]
In 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) renewed the lease for the power plant operated by Ameren Missouri. In the process, the FERC determined that numerous homes and structures were encroaching on utility land in violation of federal regulations. According to the Boston Globe, this issue "has triggered panic in the area's lakefront communities and led to a growing battle among regulators, a utility company, land attorneys, and the state's congressional delegation."[9]
In 2015, FERC issued an order allowing Ameren Missouri to pursue permits for about 215 structures that were termed as "nonconforming." Those were the structures remaining in limbo after Ameren was given approval to redraw the project lines encompassing Lake of the Ozarks.[10]
Recently, the lake has been impacted by several extreme weather events. In 2019, the lake was hit by the floods. In 2021, the lake froze over during a cold wave, the first time the lake had frozen over in 20 years, according to Ameren Missouri.[11][12] In 2022, the lake levels was low due to a drought.[13]
The Lake of the Ozarks is located within the Ozark Mountains, with Bagnell Dam lying at an elevation of 659 feet (201 m) above sea level.[4][14] It lies in central Missouri on the Salem Plateau of the Ozarks.[15] The lake extends across four Missouri counties, from Benton County in the west through Camden and Morgan Counties to Miller County in the east.[16]
The reservoir is impounded at its northeastern end by Bagnell Dam, and the Osage River is both its primary inflow and outflow.[16] Long and winding in shape, the lake consists of the main, 93-mile-long (150 km) Osage River channel ands several arms, each fed by a different tributary.[1][16] The southwestern arm is fed by the Niangua and Little Niangua rivers,[17] the southeastern arm by Grandglaize Creek,[18] and the northern arm by several streams including Gravois, Indian, and Little Gravois creeks.[19] Many smaller tributaries also drain into the lake, creating numerous small coves and indentations in its shore.[17][18][19] As a result, the lake has around 1,150 miles (1,850 km) of shoreline.[2]
U.S. Route 54 runs east–west across the reservoir's southwestern arm and then generally northeast–southwest along its eastern shoreline, crossing the southeastern arm at Osage Beach and crosses the Grand Glaize Bridge. Missouri Route 5 runs generally north–south along the lake's western shoreline, crossing the main channel at Hurricane Deck. Missouri Route 7 runs generally northwest–southeast to the lake's southwest, crossing the southwestern arm. Missouri Route 134 runs southeast from U.S. 54 north of Osage Beach to its southern terminus in Lake of the Ozarks State Park. Route 42 connects to Route 134 and US 54 in Osage Beach. Route 242 connects US 54 to near Village of Four Seasons. In addition, a network of supplemental state routes provides access to various points along the lake shore.[16]
Numerous settlements are located near or on the Lake of the Ozarks. With a population of 4,570, the largest city is Osage Beach, which sits where the lake's southeastern arm joins the main channel. The second-largest is the city of Camdenton, located a few miles east of the southwestern arm. Lake Ozark lies immediately north of Osage Beach and just south of Bagnell Dam. Other, smaller communities along or near the lake include (from east to west): Kaiser, Lakeside, Linn Creek, Village of Four Seasons, Rocky Mount, Sunrise Beach, Hurricane Deck, Gravois Mills, Laurie, and Lakeview Heights.[16]
The Lake of the Ozarks has a storage capacity around 1,927,000 acre-feet (2.377×109 m3).[1] When filled to that volume, it has a surface elevation of 660 feet (200 m) and occupies a surface area of approximately 54,000 acres (220 km2).[2][20] The lake rarely varies in surface elevation by more than 5 feet (1.5 m).[20] As it was constructed for power generation, not flood control, the lake has only limited flood-control capacity.[1]
Due to its large volume and surface area, various sources identify the Lake of the Ozarks as either the largest reservoir in Missouri or the second-largest after Truman Reservoir.[21][22][23]
A large number of bridges had been constructed for efficient crossing of the lake. Niangua Bridge, built in 1936, was replaced by a girder bridge in 2003. The Niangua Arm US 54 Bridge, built in 1931. was replaced by a girder bridge in 1999.
The Hurricane Deck Bridge is a delta-frame bridge located in the west side of Lake of the Ozarks. Stretching over 2,280.3 ft (695 m) long and 28.0 ft (9 m) wide, the bridge was established to connect Laurie with Camdenton. The bridge was originally constructed in 1934 as a truss-arch bridge, but this bridge was replaced in 2013.[24] The first bridge's structure was similar to the structure of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge, which had collapsed six years before the bridge was destroyed. After the replacement opened in 2013, the original bridge was destroyed.[25]
Originally built in 1930, the bridge crosses the Grand Glaize Arm of the lake in Osage Beach, Missouri. It carries U.S. Route 54 and connects Osage Beach to Camdenton. Originally, one girder bridge carried both directions of traffic; a second girder bridge was constructed in 1984, enabling traffic to pass over the lake in both directions using separate bridges. It has undergone a significant number of improvements since its original construction, and now supports three lanes of traffic in both directions.
Originally constructed in 1931, Bagnell Dam is the only major dam supporting Lake of the Ozarks. Located in Miller County near Camden County, the dam is 2,543 ft (775 m) long and 148 ft (48 m) tall.[26] The dam was originally constructed by the Union Electric Company (now Ameren) to provide hydroelectric power to the nearby Osage Powerplant (located near the base of the dam) and support two-way traffic on a narrow highway above the dam (Bagnell Dam Boulevard). Since its original construction, the dam has undergone a number of significant infrastructure upgrades throughout the 2010s. The dam has 12 floodgates, which fully open when the lake floods. In 2019, the floodgates were open due to the Lake of the Ozarks being hit by the flooding.[27]
The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge is a continuous truss bridge in Lake Ozark. The bridge is over 2,695 ft (821 m) long and 72 ft (22 m) wide.[28] Built in 1998, it is one of the newest bridges in the Lake of the Ozarks area, primarily built to connect the east (towards Lake Ozark and Osage Beach) and west sides (towards Sunrise Beach and Camdenton) of Lake of the Ozarks. Furthermore, the bridge is the only toll bridge in the Lake of the Ozarks area, with a toll that varies between seasons. The bridge is expected to be toll-free by 2026.[29]
Bagnell Dam is operated and maintained by Ameren Missouri, the successor of Union Electric, under the authority of a permit issued by the FERC. Ameren Missouri is also responsible for managing both the shoreline and water levels of the lake. All land surrounding the lake that is within the project boundary defined by the FERC is under the company's jurisdiction. Any improvements to the shoreline, including docks, seawalls, and other structures, require permission from Ameren Missouri prior to construction.[30]
During the process of land acquisition for the lake during the 1920s, 17,500 acres (71 km2) of land were set aside for a national park along the Grand Glaize Arm of the lake. In 1946, this land was acquired by the State of Missouri for Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the largest state park in Missouri. Another state park on the shores of the lake is Ha Ha Tonka State Park on the Niangua Arm of the lake.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park is home to Party Cove, a gathering spot that a The New York Times writer called the "oldest established permanent floating bacchanal in the country."[31] The Missouri State Water Patrol has estimated that the cove attracts up to 3,000 boats during the Fourth of July weekend.[31]
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Lake of the Ozarks gained notoriety when on Memorial Day (May 25, 2020) a large crowd congregated at the lake.[32][33]
On April 1, 2012, biologist and TV personality Jeremy Wade visited the lake and filmed an episode on the large catfish that could be caught there.[34]
In 2021, Osage Casino management announced it planned build in the Lake of the Ozarks area.[35] Construction had not begun in April 2022, but demolition of the former Quality Inn was completed where the casino will be located.[36]
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AquaPolooza takes place each July. Attendees gather on rafts and inflatable tubes. Live music is usually played from noon to 5 pm as boaters link up their boats to one another.[citation needed]
At the end of every summer, the Lake of the Ozarks holds an event called "the Shootout". It is the biggest powerboat racing event of the year at the lake and runs over a three-mile course.
On the last Saturday of February of every year, the Lake of the Ozarks holds a polar bear plunge event as a fundraiser for Special Olympics in Missouri.
The TV series Ozark is set in Osage Beach, though filmed in Georgia. In November 2017, it was reported that the series helped increase tourism and notoriety of the Lake of the Ozarks, but did not have a significant economic impact.[37] In February 2018, a real-life restaurant called Marty Byrde's, inspired by the series, was opened in Lake Ozark, Missouri, and includes menu items based on the show, including Ruth's Smoked Wings.[38]
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{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Lake of the Ozarks travel guide from Wikivoyage
