4/21/93
By: Chuck Herron
Courier-Post Staff Writer

MARK TWAIN LAKE Corps officials closed five boat ramps and issued warnings today due high water conditions at Mark Twain Lake.

Lake manager Denny Foss said recent heavy rains in the Salt River Watershed have pushed the water level at Mark Twain Lake to more than 18 feet above normal pool. The lake level as of 7 a.m. today stood at 624.1 feet above sea level. Normal pool in 606 feet above sea level.

The Corps has predicted a crest of 625.0 on Friday or Saturday, but Foss said that could be revised upward if the region receives more substantial rainfall between now and the weekend.

Because of the high water, single lane boat ramps at Lick Creek, Route U, Route N and Elk Fork have been closed. In addition, the boat ramp on Route 107 in Mark Twain State Park is expected to be closed if crest predictions are accurate. Foss said other four-lane ramps around the lake will remain open, but launching could be difficult there due to high water in the approach areas.

He said boaters should also use extra caution because of the high water. "There's a lot of floating debris out there," the lake manager said. "They should slow boat speeds down and be on the lookout for logs."

He noted that both marinas are still operational, although Blackjack Marina's lower road is under eight feet of water. In addition, several fishing tournaments scheduled for this weekend have either been rescheduled or moved to larger ramps, and courtesy docks at a number of boat ramps have been removed.

The Corps is also warning visitors to be alert for high water over county and lake access roads. Foss said at least four roads in Monroe County would likely be impassable if the lake level climbs to 625.

He added that the high water level will delay the opening of the lake's public beaches.

Because of high flood levels on the Mississippi River, Foss said it isn't likely the lake level will be dropped at a rapid rate. Currently, water is being released through Cannon Dam at about one-fourth the normal rate to prevent Salt River from adding to the flood woes for downstream communities along the Mississippi.

According to Foss, once they receive the green light, the lake level can be dropped as much as several inches a day. Until then, lake users will just have to endure the high water, he said.

Once lake levels begin to approach normal levels, Foss said the lake management office will be busy cleaning up debris left at the ramps and on the shoreline from the high water.

According to Foss, the record lake level came in the spring of 1985 when it climbed to nearly 629.9 feet above sea level nearly 24 feet above normal pool. It approached that level again in November 1986 and was recorded at around 625 feet in the spring of 1990.

For up-to-date lake information, you may contact the Mark Twain Lake Management office information line at 314-735-2619.