Lake of the Ozarks Water Level
Missouri · Osage River
Sponsor Lake of the Ozarks
Put your marina, real-estate, or local business in front of everyone checking this lake's level. One exclusive sponsor per lake.
Cancel anytime · Questions?
Water level history
About Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks is a reservoir on the Osage River in Missouri, operated by Ameren Missouri. Its serpentine shoreline stretches over 1,100 miles. Its full summer pool sits at 660 ft above sea level. Live water levels come from Ameren's official Bagnell Dam / Osage reports and reflect the latest reported level.
Understanding Lake of the Ozarks's water level
Lake of the Ozarks is a hydropower lake, not a Corps flood-control reservoir, and that single fact explains its water level. It was created in 1931 when Union Electric, now Ameren Missouri, completed Bagnell Dam across the Osage River, and Ameren runs it to generate electricity while holding it close to a full pond of about 660 feet above sea level year-round. Rather than the deep seasonal drawdown of a flood-control lake, the Ozarks stays near that target most of the time, which is exactly why its famously serpentine, 1,150-mile shoreline is so heavily developed.
Because it is a power lake, day-to-day movement is usually small, on the order of a foot or two, as Ameren balances generation with inflow from the Osage River. The level only makes big moves in unusual conditions: during the major Midwest floods of 2019 the dam's floodgates were opened fully to pass extraordinary inflows, and short maintenance drawdowns can lower parts of the lake at times. Outside of those events, boaters and lakefront owners can count on a level that stays close to full pond through the seasons.
That stability is the foundation of one of the Midwest's biggest lake-tourism economies. The Ozarks is packed with marinas, waterfront restaurants and vacation homes, and it is famous for its powerboating scene, from the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout races to the long-running Party Cove gathering. Anglers pursue bass, crappie and big catfish across its many arms and coves. For visitors, the key is that a lake held near 660 feet almost all the time means the docks and ramps are built to a level that rarely surprises anyone.
Lake of the Ozarks — frequently asked
Why is Lake of the Ozarks' water level so steady?
It is a hydropower lake operated by Ameren Missouri at Bagnell Dam, held close to a full pond of about 660 feet year-round to support power generation and recreation. Unlike a Corps flood-control lake, it has no deep seasonal drawdown, so it stays near that target most of the time.
What is full pond for Lake of the Ozarks?
Full pond is about 660 feet above sea level. Ameren normally keeps the lake within a foot or two of that level as it balances hydropower generation against inflow from the Osage River.
What makes Lake of the Ozarks' level move at all?
Small day-to-day changes come from power generation and Osage River inflow. Bigger moves are rare and tied to unusual events, such as the major 2019 Midwest floods, when the dam's floodgates were opened fully, or occasional short maintenance drawdowns.
Does Lake of the Ozarks get drawn down for winter?
No. As a hydropower lake it is not lowered on a seasonal flood-control schedule the way many Corps reservoirs are; it is held near its full pond of about 660 feet throughout the year.
What is the fishing like at Lake of the Ozarks?
Its many arms and coves support bass, crappie and large catfish, and the steady level and heavily developed shoreline make it one of the Midwest's most popular boating and fishing lakes.
What is Lake of the Ozarks used for?
It generates hydropower at Bagnell Dam and is a major tourism and recreation destination, known for powerboating events like the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, its Party Cove scene, marinas, waterfront dining and vacation homes along 1,150 miles of shoreline.
Other lakes near Lake of the Ozarks
Add this gauge to your website
Run a marina, boat rental, guide service, or real-estate site on Lake of the Ozarks? Put this free live-level widget on your page — just copy and paste the code: