Boating

by Lake Media staff

Preparing for winter’s severe weather

last winter proved to be a rough one for dock and boat owners on lake of the ozarks when the lake froze over. after the thaw, the lake level dropped to near-record lows and many docks sat

on dry land. FiLE PHOTO M other Nature can be a fickle presence and the Lake-wide damage she caused from the Lake freezing over this winter will take months to repair. Many dock and boat owners had to figure out quickly what to do, who to hire, and if insurance would pay for damages.

In late March, flood gates at Bagnell Dam were opened for several days to offset upstream rainfall and to prevent flooding of the Lake of the Ozarks from spring rains.

Two months before, with temperatures well below freezing, turbines at Bagnell Dam worked overtime to produce enough electricity to meet the demand on the electrical grid caused by the weeks-long cold spell.

Consequently, the Lake level fell to near record lows to slightly above 652 feet above sea level. Normal for

February is 654, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guide curve.

The lower-than-normal Lake levels came quickly as

Ameren raced to meet the electric demand caused by the below zero temperatures across the Midwest. That

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Tips from ameren Missouri

• Below the dam, remove docks from the Osage River before freezing occurs. • Ensure that hinges, pins and other connections linking docks to seawalls or piers have the flexibility to follow water level fluctuations. • Lengthen cables to allow docks to drop as the Lake or river levels drop. • Use a dock deicer to help protect docks from ice damage. Be aware that a deicer may not provide protection from large ice sheets and blocks. • Ask neighbors to keep an eye on the dock or retain a local dock builder or similar contractor to care for the property when the site is unoccupied. Ameren has a list of approved certified dock builders online.

phenomenon coupled with ice as the Lake froze shorelineto-shoreline wreaked havoc. The damage was caused by the heavy ice followed closely by snow amounting to 10 inches or more that also caused dock roofs to collapse from the weight, and push the docks farther into the frozen Lake. It was a mess and in some terms a “perfect storm” of events.

As docks and boat lifts dropped along with Lake levels cables broke, welds broke, bolts broke. Docks actually bent at the pressure points, partly lying on the Lake bottom and the rest encased by thick ice at the whim of the moving water underneath. Encapsulated foam flotation broke lose as well.

It’s not uncommon for ice to form on the Lake, so boat and dock owners should be prepared. There are several things boaters and homeowners need to know now to lessen damage and ways to prepare for another event in the future.

aRe You coVeReD?

The amount of dock damage at the Lake will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many dock owners discovered that their homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage caused by ice or snow.

One local agent says there may be an exclusion in most policies that dock owners are not aware of that excludes coverage for damage to docks and lifts caused by ice. The freezing, thawing or pressure of water or ice may not be covered in a standard homeowner’s policy.

According to the American Family Insurance website, there are some common exclusions to dock insurance coverage that limit what types of damage are covered by your policy. These can include: • Freeze-related damage such as ice damaging the structure of the dock. • Collapse of the dock, unless that collapse is caused by a building falling onto it. • Flood-related damage, including total loss of the dock to a flood. • High winds that cause severe wave action resulting in damage.

So, dock owners, it’s important to call your agent and ask for specific exclusions in your policy. Also, there may be a special rider that can be added to your policy for coverage — at a price, of course.

Plan aHeaD

Summerset Boat Lift owner Dave Brooks offers these suggestions to prepare your dock and boat lift before next winter.

Since the Lake had its first freeze of the winter recently, Brooks thought it would be the perfect time to talk about how in-water de-icers help protect your dock and boat lift. Ice can cause damage to your dock, boat lift and even your boat.

HoW ice causes DaMaGe

Ice heaves can occur in bodies of water of all sizes. It’s easy for ice to damage a dock. The freezing water expands, melts, refreezes and expands again causing enough pressure to damage anything still sitting in the water. Large ice chunks floating in the Lake can also move with the current, hit your structure with great force and even get stuck and start to build up. To put it in perspective, sometimes ice heaves are powerful enough to move trees. More commonly, though, the ice damages docks, lifts and retaining walls. Your dock and your lift are both susceptible to ice damage. When a dock freezes, it becomes less flexible and does not move with the water as the levels reduce. This causes structural stress that can lead to joint breaks and twisted boat lifts.

consiDeR inVesTinG in a De-iceR

One of the best and easiest ways to protect your dock and lift from ice damage, Brooks says, is to purchase a de-icer. The primary function of a de-icer is to protect your boat dock and lift from icy waters. By creating water movement, a de-icer keeps the water around your dock from freezing. Thus, reducing the likelihood of damage to your boat dock and boat lift at the Lake of the Ozarks.

In addition to the de-icer, you should have a professional come check your lift to add antifreeze to the hoses. If you can prevent the Lake water around your dock and lift from freezing, you’ll be able to avoid the majority of damage caused by winter weather. Get one now, before you need it and can’t find one due to increased demand.