Bagnell Dam floodgates opened; waters to rise 3 feet per hour

Ameren Missouri opened most of the floodgates at the Bagnell Dam around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Affiliate KSPR reported that the continued heavy rain and rain runoff caused the lake to rise to 661 feet above sea level. The gates will remain open until the lake drops to 660 feet.

The Miller County 911 Dispatch Center said all residents in areas on the banks of the Osage River, including the city of Bagnell, Wood River campground, Chaney Road trailer park and city of Tuscumbia should seek higher ground.

Kent Martin, a spokesman for Ameren in St. Louis, told KSPR the floodgates are only open a little. He said the dam will discharge about 45,000 cubic feet per second.

Martin did not know how long it would take to lower the lake level or how long the floodgates would remain open. He said that would depend on how long it keeps raining in the area. The 660-foot level is mandated by a federal regulation.

Miller County officials say the waters will rise approximately three feet per hour south of the dam.