Lake of the Ozarks / Osage Region
Bagnell Dam anchors Miller County's lake story
Bagnell Dam impounded the Osage River and created Lake of the Ozarks. On the eastern end of the lake, the dam helps explain why Miller County’s lake towns look and feel the way they do.
The project was built for hydropower, and the reservoir behind it helped reshape the region into a lake economy built around boating, visitors, second homes, and shoreline rules. Below the dam, the Osage continues as a river toward the Missouri.
For Miller County, this is more than scenery. The dam, the lake strip, the seasonal crowds, and the shoreline rulebook are all tied together. Confirm construction dates and operator history with official Ameren or federal-license records before repeating them.
Where to see it
- Ameren Missouri Lake of the Ozarks
Use Ameren for current lake, dam, shoreline, and project information.
- FERC license appendix for Lake of the Ozarks
Use this formal source trail for dam and project-management context.
References
More from Miller County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: June 15, 2026.