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Reservoir•Missouri Lakes•Camden, Miller, Morgan, Benton County

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake of the Ozarks featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
54,000 acres
218.5 km²
Max Depth
130 feet
39.6 m
Elevation
659 feet
201 m ASL
Shoreline
1,150 miles
1851 km
Coordinates
38.200°, -92.617°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-06
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake of the Ozarks Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
659.38 ft
Normal Full Pool: 659.00 ft
Normal Conservation Pool
Difference from Full Pool
+0.38 ft(above)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity96.2% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 659.00 ft
24h Change: +0.02 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 2,337,660 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
3,917 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
2,756 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
69°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
5.7 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +1,161 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is rising at 0.02 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Caution for Small Craft
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
E 85°
20 mph
Gusts: 32 mph
Blowing from E (85°) at 20 mph
Surface Wave Conditions2.6 ft wave height
Moderate Chop (1.0 - 2.0 ft)
Whitecap Chop & Swell
Barometer
29.95 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Active Feeding
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 20 mph E
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake of the Ozarks.
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Interactive Map of Lake of the Ozarks

38.2000° N, 92.6167° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 38.2° N, -92.6167° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake of the Ozarks?

Lake of the Ozarks is located in Camden, Miller, Morgan, Benton County in the state of Missouri, at geographical coordinates 38.2000° North latitude and 92.6167° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 659 feet (201 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Osage Beach
1 miles away
Lake Ozark
2 miles away
Camdenton
5 miles away
Jefferson City
42 miles away
St. Louis
155 miles away

About Lake of the Ozarks

Verdant winding arms and boats on Lake of the Ozarks Missouri
Reservoir • Impoundment ReservoirVerified 2026-03-06

Lake of the Ozarks is an enormous serpentine reservoir created by impounding the Osage River with Bagnell Dam in central Missouri. Nicknamed "The Magic Dragon" for its serpentine shape on aerial maps, the lake boasts over 1,150 miles of winding shoreline—more shoreline than the entire coast of California. It is one of the premier recreational powerboating, golfing, and vacation meccas in the Midwest.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake of the Ozarks is categorized as a Impoundment Reservoir. Its designated primary authorized uses include Hydroelectric Power (Bagnell Dam), Recreation, Tourism, Real Estate Development.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake of the Ozarks is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

Largemouth BassSpotted BassBlack CrappieWhite CrappieBlue CatfishPaddlefish (Spoonbill)
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Power BoatingPWC / Jet SkiingBass & Crappie FishingLakeside DiningWaterfront GolfHouseboating

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (4)

  • •Kelly’s Port Marina
  • •Bridgepointe Marina
  • •Formula Boats of Missouri
  • •State Fair Marina

Public Boat Launches (4)

  • •Public Beach #1 Ramp (Lake of the Ozarks State Park)
  • •Grand Glaize Beach (PB #2) Ramp
  • •Shawnee Bend Ramp
  • •Bagnell Dam Access

Parks & Recreation (2)

  • •Lake of the Ozarks State Park (Missouri’s largest state park)
  • •Ha Ha Tonka State Park (Castle ruins & natural bridge)

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake of the Ozarks

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake of the Ozarks Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area54,000 acres218.5 km²
Maximum Depth130 feet39.6 meters
Average Depth45 feet13.7 meters
Water Surface Elevation659 feet above sea level201 meters
Shoreline Length1,150 miles1851 km
Lake ClassificationReservoir (Impoundment Reservoir)
GPS Coordinates38.2000° N, 92.6167° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake of the Ozarks

8 verified answers
Why is Lake of the Ozarks called The Magic Dragon?+
From satellite and aerial maps, the serpentine, winding main channel and hundreds of branching tributary coves resemble the shape of a coiling Chinese dragon.
Does Lake of the Ozarks have more coastline than California?+
Yes! Lake of the Ozarks features approximately 1,150 miles of winding freshwater shoreline, surpassing California’s 840 miles of Pacific coastline.
How deep is Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri?+
Lake of the Ozarks reaches a verified maximum depth of 130 feet (40 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 45 feet (14 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical reservoir bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake of the Ozarks?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake of the Ozarks covers approximately 54,000 surface acres (about 84.4 square miles or 218.5 km²) at an elevation of 659 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 1,150 miles (1,851 km) throughout Camden, Miller, Morgan, Benton County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Lake of the Ozarks?+
Anglers on Lake of the Ozarks target Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Blue Catfish, Paddlefish (Spoonbill). Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Lake of the Ozarks and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake of the Ozarks. Public boat launch facilities include Public Beach #1 Ramp (Lake of the Ozarks State Park), Grand Glaize Beach (PB #2) Ramp, Shawnee Bend Ramp. Full-service marinas including Kelly’s Port Marina and Bridgepointe Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake of the Ozarks and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake of the Ozarks is managed and monitored in coordination with Ameren Missouri & Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Lake of the Ozarks State Park (Missouri’s largest state park), Ha Ha Tonka State Park (Castle ruins & natural bridge). Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake of the Ozarks come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake of the Ozarks are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily Ameren Missouri & Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-06. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: Ameren Missouri & Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Last verified: 2026-03-06 • Record ID: lake-of-the-ozarks-mo
View Official Source

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