Weight of snow damages docks at Lake of the Ozarks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Snow piled high on docks at the Lake of the Ozarks has taken a toll on piers at the tourist attraction.

Officials said the weight of snow had collapsed two major docks at the lake, and others were either damaged or sinking. The Jefferson City News Tribune reported that work crews were clearing snow from the roofs of covered docks to reduce the weight.

"Some of these docks are in danger of going under," said Don Herzing, owner of Herzing Roofing. "In some cases, it's only the boats that are holding them up. We're clearing 2 to 3 feet of snow -- in some cases drifts up to 4 feet -- from the roofs."

The Lake of the Ozarks is formed by a dam owned by St. Louis-based Ameren Corp.

Jeff Green, the shoreline supervisor for Ameren Missouri, said there were reports of damage at commercial docks, but that the snowstorm was less destructive than ice storms in 2006.

Green said the damage this year largely has come from drifting snow that has made the docks heavier.

"That can be the kiss of death for getting a dock out of balance," Green said.

Officials said low water levels at the Lake of the Ozarks have made the problem worse. That is because in some cases one end of the dock is running into the ground and that causes the other side of the dock to thrust out of the water. That can cause some boats to slide off their moorings.

----

Information from: Jefferson City News Tribune, http://www.newstribune.com