Flood gates at Bagnell

[MoAngler06]

Does anyone know if they are still running the floodgates at Bagnell Dam? Is there some where to find this out on the internet? Someone to call?

[BrianK]

I just looked at the USGS gauge and still running wide open.

No change in the past 3+ wks. I need to go down there and take a look. One of my coworkers told me just this am that there are some giant catfish down below the dam coming to the surface feeding.....hmmm

Other than the USGS.gov gauges, i don't have any good contact info.

Could try the Ameren site???

As long at they are dumping Truman, Bagnell will have to keep up.

Flooding all the million+ $ homes on LOZ probably wouldn't go over too well.

bk

[brownieman]

Wonder which took priority when Truman Dam was built ??

Energy or keeping the billions of dollars that sit on LOZ's water edge happy.

Have always wondered...would say both came into play from the conception of the idea...just wonder which pulled the most weight.

[BrianK]

good question.

Imagine if Truman wasn't there this spring to hold back the 20 or 30 (or more?) feet of water that came into the watershed.

LOZ probably would have been in big trouble. I wonder if Bagnell would have been able to let out enough water fast enough to avoid major disaster on LOZ.....

[brownieman]

ChesLamp...good pics

If not for Truman Dam where would all this debris be???

Would not go over too well on LOZ this summer I don't reckon??

Imagine the impact and damage that would be incured by that influx of water and debris into LOZ.

Would both damage and cost the lake millions in several arena's.

[Dave Cook]

There are many acres of debris (trees) resting against the Truman Dam. If you are into driftwood - here's your chance.

[Seth]

Does anyone know if they are still running the floodgates at Bagnell Dam? Is there some where to find this out on the internet? Someone to call?

I'd like to know where these big catfish are. We've been up there a couple times since they started dumping all the water and haven't done all that well. The biggest fish we have caught in all the trips was a 6 or 7 pound blue.

Last time we got into the channel catfish a few hundred yards below the boat ramp along the bank. They had a bunch of baby shad schooled up against the bank and busting them like white bass.

[mcp633]

Seth,

they're all above the line. if you sit up at the observation area the area above the line is packed with HUGE fish. I took my kids down the other day, just to look at it. really kind of cool.

[brownieman]

mcp,

Is the boat launch usable below the dam? ...have boat fished below the dam with lots of water running but I imagine nothing like it is now...the fish have to be stacked in there like cordwood if one can get to em.

Is there any way in your opinion to get a boat anchored anywhere near the line?... if so I can reach the dam with a big rod, a heavy spoon and a flat cast under the power line...if you can't hold at the line how far down would you say one would have to be?

I have learned one thing about anchoring in a current like that, keep a darn sharp knife laying right by your anchor rope...can be a life saver!!

Bet a guy can catch some monsters right now if it's fishable...be one heck of a fight in that kind of current too...if they get below your boat you may as well cut your line or they will spool you...would that be a fair assumption?

Save me a drive (I'm 2 hrs. away) to check it out if ya can...thanks

bm

[mcp633]

Yo Brownie,

When I was down, there were boats out there. However, it would be illegal to throw up past the line to get to the fish! Ask my dad, he'll tell you all about the fine!