LAKE OZARK, Mo. (September 4, 2018) — Construction crews have poured the final yards of concrete and are completing finishing touches on Ameren Missouri’s $53 million reliability upgrade to the historic Bagnell Dam, a major source of clean energy for the state. The project includes installation of a series of new anchors and concrete on the downstream side of the dam, which improves overall safety, efficiency and reliability of the 85-year-old structure.
"For nearly a century, the Bagnell Dam has reliably powered homes and businesses across the region,” said Warren Witt, director of hydro operations at Ameren Missouri. “These upgrades ensure the dam will continue to be a top producer of clean, renewable energy for Missouri’s communities for the next 100 years.”
The project is finishing ahead of schedule. Initial work began March 2017 and included the removal of timeworn concrete from the surface of the dam. Crews then installed 67 post-tensioned anchors, strengthening the connection to bedrock. More than 66 million pounds of new concrete was poured to further weigh down the dam. This is the first major structural update in more than 30 years and builds on Ameren's expertise in enhancing dam safety.
“The work our engineers perform to enhance the structural integrity of the Bagnell Dam continues to be viewed as a best practice and has been implemented on dams across the globe,” said Witt. “Closer to home, we know these recent improvements help drive local economic development. For example, during the first 16 months of the project more than 220 construction jobs were created for the local trades and vendors to the Osage area, translating to an estimated $40 million impact on the area through additional spending.”
Ameren Missouri hired Missouri-based MC Industrial, a McCarthy Holdings company, as the project’s on-site general contractor. Before starting the project, the construction plan was reviewed and certified by independent engineers as well as the federal government. Throughout the project, Ameren and MC Industrial worked closely to carefully plan the construction schedule and avoid major disruptions to local residents and tourists.
“The Lake of the Ozarks is beloved by residents and tourists alike – and we wanted to be sure our project wouldn’t impede enjoyment of the lake or surrounding areas,” said Witt. “We are grateful to the Lake community and its visitors for their flexibility and patience as we complete this significant project to continue to ensure clean, reliable energy to our customers.”
Bagnell Dam houses Ameren Missouri's Osage Energy Center. In 2017 it produced more than 624,000 megawatt-hours of energy, supplying approximately 52,000 homes with renewable energy for the entire year.
About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 130,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.