Lake of the Ozarks Low-Impact Landscapes for a Healthy Lake of the Ozarks
In February the Department of Natural Resources awarded a $740,000 grant to the Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance for a four-year project to address stormwater-related pollution affecting the Lake of the Ozarks. The project will focus on stormwater runoff pollution – known also as non-point source pollution – in the Buck Creek and Lick Branch subwatersheds. The subwatersheds begin at Bagnell Dam and encompass the first 18.8 miles of the lake’s main channel as well as coves. This area was chosen largely because it is the most urbanized area of the lake. It includes Osage Beach, Lake Ozark, Laurie, Sunrise Beach and the Village of the Four Seasons. These watersheds have experienced a 150 percent population increase from 1980 to 2000.
This multifaceted project includes demonstration projects, community education and outreach, and water quality monitoring. The first phase of the water quality monitoring includes 20 weeks of weekly sampling from coves located from mile markers 1-19. A map detailing the sampling sites is below, as are links to the samples results. Sample results will be posted as they become available.
