STOCKTON, Mo. -- Gates on the spillway at Stockton dam have been undergoing repairs to replace the wire ropes that lift each gate since November 2018. Wire ropes on one gate were successfully replaced in February 2019 and subsequently wire ropes were removed on another gate to begin repairs.
In March inflows from rainfall caused the reservoir pool to rise making the work area on the gates inaccessible. Since this time pools have continued to increase with limited opportunity to release water due to heavy rains in the Osage basin.
Currently there are three of four gates available to make releases from Stockton dam and 33% of the flood pool is available to store flood waters. Stockton dam’s ability to store water above the flood pool during very large inflow events is reduced due to one gate being out of service.
Engineers and project staff are developing a plan to place the gate back into service as soon as possible. In order to manage the reservoir levels it is possible there will be increased releases from Stockton dam, however those releases will be managed to minimize downstream impacts. Timeline to bring the gate back to service is approximately one month.
If projected rainfall occurs, releases will be operated through the remaining three gates as allowed. The current weather pattern is dynamic. In the event that the flood storage area is further occupied, water will be released through Stockton Dam - to match the rate of water flowing into the lake. Although rare, these types of releases are for dam safety purposes and may cause downstream damages due to high inflows.
Human life and safety are the priority in reservoir operations. These actions are precautionary and necessary to ensure public safety.
Remember, if you come to a flooded road: turn around, don’t drown.
Release no. 19-033