Join neighbors and local organizations in this longstanding effort to care for the lake
LAKE OZARK, Mo. (March 30, 2026) – As Lake of the Ozarks prepares for another busy boating season, residents and visitors are invited to take part in a spring tradition that helps keep the shoreline clean and welcoming. The annual Adopt-the-Shoreline cleanup invites the community to form teams and “adopt” sections of the lake to help preserve its natural beauty. Sponsored by Ameren Missouri, the event provides volunteers with trash bags and disposal services, making it easy to get involved.
Since 1991, more than 16,000 volunteers have removed nearly 6.2 million pounds of trash from the lake’s shoreline, supporting a cleaner lake experience for everyone each year. Looking specifically at spring cleanups, volunteers removed an average of 68,000 pounds of trash per year from 2016 to 2025, compared with 318,000 pounds per year from 1998 to 2006.
“Whether you’re boating, fishing or just enjoying the view, we all want the lake to look its best,” said Greg Stoner, environmental specialist at Ameren Missouri. “Year after year, we’re thankful for neighbors stepping up to help protect the shoreline before the summer season begins. Their commitment keeps the lake clean and beautiful so our fish and wildlife habitats at the lake remain litter-free and everyone can continue to enjoy it.”
Volunteers can contact Ameren Missouri at 573.365.9203 to adopt a section of the shoreline and arrange for trash disposal options. The program will run through April 30. Each adopting group is responsible for cleaning at least five shoreline miles and participating in at least two shoreline cleanup events annually.
Maintaining a clean and healthy shoreline also supports safe lake operations and helps protect the infrastructure that delivers reliable energy to surrounding communities. The hydropower generated from the lake at Ameren’s Bagnell Dam and Osage Energy Center is an important contributor of renewable energy for the grid, helping to provide reliable electricity for customers.
For more information about the Adopt-the-Shoreline program, visit AmerenMissouri.com/Lake.
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 approximately 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers approximately 60 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.