Lake of the Ozarks

The Lake of the Ozarks is a large reservoir in central Missouri formed by impounding the Osage River behind Bagnell Dam. It is a major regional destination for boating, fishing and waterfront recreation with an extensive shoreline and numerous marinas.

The lake’s irregular shape creates long arms and coves that host residential communities, state parks and recreational facilities; public boat ramps and marinas are spread around the shoreline. Fishing, powerboating and lakefront tourism are the principal visitor activities.

The reservoir was created when Bagnell Dam was completed in 1931 to provide hydroelectric power, flood control and recreational opportunities; the lake has since driven development of resorts and lakefront communities. Management focuses on balancing power generation with navigation and recreation.

The lake occupies a broad area of central Missouri in the Osage River valley and is accessible from many towns in the region.

• Size and shoreline: Covers about 54,000 acres and has an irregular shoreline of roughly 1,150 miles, making it one of the more extensive recreational reservoirs in the United States.
• Creation: Created by the completion of Bagnell Dam in 1931 to provide hydroelectric power and flood control; the lake is a major regional recreation and tourism resource.

What to See #

• Bagnell Dam: A concrete hydroelectric dam on the Osage River that impounds the reservoir and was completed in 1931; it continues to operate for power generation and lake level control.