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The Niangua Hydroelectric Generating Station

Landowners and community members serviced by the Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative are invited to be part of an open house get-together to talk about the future of Lake Niangua. Sho-Me is proposing the dam, powerhouse and the lake remain place for the adjacent landowners and the public. State and Federal resource agencies, however, are advocating for FERC to consider removing the dam and draining Lake Niangua. The Lake Niangua Open House, at the Tunnel Dam Cabin, will take place this Wednesday, May 10th, from 12:00-1:30pm and again on Thursday, the 11th, from 5:30-7:00pm.

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The Niangua River begins its journey at Marshfield and Niangua towns in Webster County, Missouri, flowing north and northeast through Dallas, Laclede, and Camden Counties before finally emptying into the Lake of the Ozarks, a few miles southwest of Camdenton. While the river basin spans around forty-five miles in a straight line, with a drainage area of 627 square miles or over 400,000 acres, the river itself takes a much more winding path, stretching a total length of 140 miles. Before the construction of Bagnell Dam in 1931, which formed the Lake of the Ozarks, the Niangua River used to flow into the Osage River near Old Linn Creek. During dry seasons, the upper stretches of the Niangua would shrink to mere pools of water with minimal flow. However, further downstream, thanks to numerous significant springs, the river maintained a steady flow throughout the year. One such notable spring is Bennett Springs, situated just above the crossing of Missouri Highway 64. The name “Niangua” is believed to have Native American origins, possibly from the Osages, and various imaginative English translations have been proposed. One particular authority presents compelling evidence that the accurate translation is “Winding Stream of Many Springs.”

After the Louisiana Purchase, the removal of Indian titles, and the establishment of Missouri statehood in 1821, a small number of white settlers gradually appeared in the Niangua River basin. The rugged and forested terrain posed challenges for these early settlers, as they slowly established small bottom farms and engaged in timber cutting, including tie hacking and rafting. By 1850, small water-powered grist mills emerged, with a total of thirty-three mills constructed on twenty-five sites along the river until 1920. The potential for hydroelectric power production on the Niangua River was considered in the early 1900s. One particular location garnered significant attention due to a natural cave or tunnel that pierced through the base of a narrow ridge, effectively bypassing a seven-mile meander of the river. This feature presented an opportunity to create an artificial waterfall that could generate enough force to drive a substantial water wheel.

The chosen site was situated in the NW quarter of Section 19, Township 37, Range 17, in Camden County, approximately twelve miles southwest of Camdenton by road. By constructing a dam, most of the river’s flow could be diverted through the tunnel, resulting in a significant water head of forty feet suitable for a hydraulic turbine. A small town was established on the site, accommodating around 350 workers during the dam’s construction. A new tunnel was driven through the hill, while a concrete mixer was positioned atop the hill above the dam site, enabling concrete to be sent down chutes—one to the dam and the other to the power plant. Notably, all the machinery and equipment in the powerhouse were transported from the ridge’s peak using an inclined track and cable car. Even after the dam’s completion, the cable car remained in use, serving the convenience of plant operators and facilitating material transportation. This arrangement persisted until 1954 when a roadway replaced the cable car and track.

The Niangua Hydroelectric Generating Station, located on the Niangua River, approximately twenty-four miles northwest of Lebanon, was finalized in late 1930 by the Management and Engineering Corporation. It was then put into operation by the Missouri Electric Power Company on November 9, 1930.

The dam, designed as a gravity type, aimed to create a forty-foot water head. It consisted of a rock anchored concrete spillway section, measuring 24 feet in height and 300 feet in length, and a rock and earth-filled

Landowners and community members serviced by the Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative are invited to be part of an open house get-together to talk about the future of Lake Niangua. Sho-Me is proposing the dam, powerhouse and the lake remain place for the adjacent landowners and the public. State and Federal resource agencies, however, are advocating for FERC to consider removing the dam and draining Lake Niangua. The Lake Niangua Open House, at the Tunnel Dam Cabin, will take place this Wednesday, May 10th, from 12:00-1:30pm and again on Thursday, the 11th, from 5:30-7:00pm.

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Prescribed burns at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton Missouri Lake of the Ozarks

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CAMDENTON, MO – On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the National Park Service, carried out a series of prescribed burns at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The controlled fires, initiated early this morning, aimed to reduce wildfire risks, promote native plant growth, and maintain the park’s ecological balance.

The timing of the burns aligns with early spring conditions, which park ecologists say are ideal for minimizing impact on wildlife while maximizing ecological benefits.

Today’s burns mark the first major fire management activity at Ha Ha Tonka in 2025, with additional burns potentially scheduled later this year depending on weather and resource availability. Park officials emphasized that these efforts are part of a broader commitment to preserving Missouri’s natural heritage for future generations.

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Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Green being thrown out with in minutes.

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Trumps Address to the Joint Session of Congress sends Mr. Al Green Green being thrown out with in minutes. Trump calls out Democrats saying no matter what he says or does they will not stand. The camera flashed shots of the Democrat party with signs that said Musk Steals. Trump continued the speech strong by asking them to enjoy the republicans with the wins of the county.

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Osage Beach Operating Budget shows Significant Increases in Personnel and Capital Spending.

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The City of Osage Beach Board of Aldermen officially adopted the FY2025 Operating Budget on December 19, 2024, outlining a comprehensive financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget, spanning 69 pages, projects total expenditures across all funds at approximately $38 million, reflecting a strategic focus on personnel growth, infrastructure improvements, and operational stability.

Personnel Expenditures See Major Boost

The FY2025 budget allocates $10,941,704 for personnel expenditures across all funds, marking a 12.4% increase from the FY2024 budget of $9,736,098 and a 21.2% jump from the FY2024 projected year-end total of $9,031,206. Key highlights include:

  • Salaries: Rising to $6,978,788, a 12.2% increase from FY2024’s budget and an 18.8% increase from the projected year-end, reflecting new hires and wage adjustments.
  • Per Meeting Expense: Surging 55.8% to $48,000, driven by increased meeting frequency or compensation rates.
  • Overtime and Holiday Pay: Overtime is budgeted at $417,400 (up 40.1%), while holiday pay rises to $212,402 (up 22.9%), indicating heightened staffing demands.
  • Retirement 401 Contributions: A significant 28.2% increase to $773,225, underscoring the city’s commitment to employee benefits.

The personnel schedule details a total of 136 authorized positions, including 117 full-time and 19 part-time roles, with notable growth in departments like City Clerk (from 1.5 to 3 full-time equivalents) and Engineering (from 2 to 4 FTEs) compared to FY2024.

Capital Investments Prioritize Infrastructure

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Capital expenditures for FY2025 are set at $16,990,032, a slight 5.1% decrease from FY2024’s ambitious $17,907,575 budget, though a dramatic 197.3% increase over the FY2024 projected year-end of $5,714,260. Major investments include:

  • Transportation Fund: $6,274,726, a 17.3% increase, funding projects like the Salt Barn Roof replacement, Highway 42 Sidewalk construction, and Osage Beach Road improvements.
  • Lee C. Fine Airport Fund: $4,986,982, up slightly from FY2024, supporting ongoing airport enhancements.
  • 911 Center: A standout $447,247 allocation (384.8% increase), including an AIS P25 Upgrade and dispatch relocation, addressing critical communication needs.

Conversely, departments like Parks & Recreation ($333,800, down 54.7%) and Information Technology ($25,492, down 77.3%) see reduced capital spending, reflecting a shift in priorities.

Operations & Maintenance Stabilizes

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) expenditures total $10,182,427, a modest 1.4% decrease from FY2024’s $10,324,068 budget, though up 10.6% from the projected year-end of $9,209,616. Notable changes include:

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  • Human Resources: A striking 228.9% increase to $365,117, likely tied to expanded staffing and training initiatives.
  • Building Inspection: Up 130.7% to $79,510, supporting heightened regulatory activity.
  • Engineering: A 52.2% cut to $261,100, aligning with completed projects from FY2024.

Employee Pay Plan Adjustments

The budget introduces an updated Employee Pay Plan effective January 1, 2025, with pay ranges spanning Level 6 ($32,604-$47,276) to Level 16 ($124,293-$198,868). Positions like City Administrator and City Attorney top the scale, while roles such as Airport Technician and Records Clerk anchor the lower end. The plan reflects periodic reviews mandated by City Code Section 125.050, accommodating new positions and level adjustments.

Looking Ahead

The FY2025 budget underscores Osage Beach’s focus on workforce expansion, infrastructure resilience, and essential services, balancing growth with fiscal prudence. With a total personnel authorization of 123.19 FTEs (up from 117.19 in FY2024), and significant capital commitments, the city aims to enhance public safety, transportation, and community amenities. Residents can expect increased activity in key departments, though some operational budgets tighten to offset these investments.

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For more details, the full FY2025 Operating Budget is available through the City of Osage Beach administrative offices.

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