Empire District Electric Company, with the cooperation of the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwest Power Administration, and others, are preparing to replace the flashboards at the Ozark Beach (Powersite) Dam. Flashboards are boards projecting above the crest of a dam to increase the water elevation or depth of the water. The flashboards were removed from the Ozark Beach Dam during heavy rainfall in March.
In order to accomplish this work, the level of Lake Taneycomo will be slowly lowered to approximately the 696.5-foot elevation at the dam. This process will begin the evening of Saturday, August 16, 2008. It will remain at the 696.5 level until afternoon on Monday, August 18, 2008. However, if work at the dam is completed sooner, the lake level may return to normal sooner. The timing for this work is very weather sensitive and may be adjusted.
The normal operating elevation at the dam varies from 698.0 to 704.0 feet. During the time work is being completed, Table Rock releases will be diminished. In the event of heavy rains, the work at Ozark Beach could possibly be delayed and rescheduled for a later date. Once the work is completed, the Table Rock U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be alerted that they may resume normal operations.
The temporarily lowered lake level will offer an opportunity for others to complete dock and boat ramp maintenance.