Engineers inspect Wappapello Lake dam

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers last week dropped the lake level at Lake Wappapello and lowered massive blocks of concrete in the five sieve gates located just before the entrance to the dam. This effectively cuts off the lake from the dam. "That is the specific purpose of these sieve gates," said park ranger John Daves. "They allow us to cut the water off so that inspectors can go in and see what kind of shape our dam is in." The hydroelectric dam will be inspected on the inside for cracking. The inspection is done every five years. The massive cavern that is the dam is more than 30 feet long, according to Daves, and shows little sign of wear and tear.

-- Dexter Daily Statesman