LAKE OZARK, MO (Oct. 19, 2018) – Ameren Missouri’s $53 million reliability upgrade to the historic Bagnell Dam, a major source of clean energy for the state, included installation of a series of new anchors and concrete on the downstream side of the dam, which improved overall safety, efficiency and reliability of the 85-year-old structure. One final step in the 18-month project is to repair the road leading to the Iguana campground where heavy equipment was utilized and stored for the duration of the project.
During the week of Oct. 22nd, weather permitting, Ameren Missouri will be closing Valley Road from the east end of Bagnell Dam Strip to Legion Road so that repairs can be made and the road can be resurfaced. Motorists are reminded to find an alternative route. Access to the Iguana Campground will still be available from Valley Road.
Initial work began in 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 was the first major structural update in more than 30 years.
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.
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.