In the wake of last year’s massive flooding, (and because it was due, anyway), the St. Louis District of the Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a lake drawdown, and gatehouse and spillway inspection at Wappapello Lake.

Spillway dewatered

This drawdown (the Lake is currently at 354.24 as of 4 p.m. 3/7/12) is to permit ACE personnel to examine the structure which controls the lake level. Normal spillway flood elevation is 394.74; last May 3 the lake peaked at 400.00 feet, pouring coffee colored floodwaters down the spillway, and ripping out Hwy. T.

If you are going out to enjoy the spring weather in the next few days, please be aware that the Lake is down to 20 or 30 feet shallower than normal, and please avoid the dam area. This inspection has to be conducted while the lake is pulled down to winter pool, yet the weather has to be warm enough to there is no chance of ice or frost.

Traveler will have an update on the gatehouse and spillway condition after the inspection has been conducted. Meanwhile, St. Louis District shared these photos on Facebook March 7, and we are sending them on to our readers. All photos courtesy St. Louis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Baffle block area being drained

Dewatered inlet channel

Dewatered spillway

Spillway dewatered

The gatehouse, looking up

The gatehouse

Wappapello spillway channel