Bagnell Dam ready for drilling

In this December 2016 photo, Ameren Missouri releases water through Bagnell Dam at Lake of the Ozarks.
In this December 2016 photo, Ameren Missouri releases water through Bagnell Dam at Lake of the Ozarks.

Drilling is beginning as the next phase of construction kicks off at Bagnell Dam.

Ameren Missouri officials said the 18-month project is focused on ensuring the company's Osage Energy Center continues to provide dependable energy for Mid-Missouri.

Construction began in March on the $52 million project installing a series of new anchors and concrete on the downstream side of Bagnell, which provides power to 42,000 homes.

The construction project consists of three parts:

New post-tension anchors will help hold the dam to the underlying bedrock.

Concrete will be added between the highway piers to add weight to the dam.

A new concrete overlay will replace worn and cracked concrete on the east and west sections.

The last major structural update to Bagnell Dam was completed in the early 1980s, according to an Ameren news release. At the time, 277 post-tensioned anchors were installed to hold the dam into the bedrock. As part of its safety protocols, the dam is inspected annually by an independent safety engineer. As a result of a routine inspection, the engineer recommended strengthening work begin by 2020.

During this project, 68 new post-tension anchors will be placed and 66,217,500 pounds of new concrete will be used - which, according Ameren officials, is equivalent to more than 5,500 Asian elephants.