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Aerial panorama of Lake of the Ozarks MO-JDugger.jpg
Jay Dugger · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lakes → Missouri → Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks

Missouri · Reservoir impounded 1931 · near Osage Beach

54,000 acres 130 ft deep 6 ft clarity Water C
Compare
6.4SCORE
Survey summary · Missouri
54,000
Surface acres
130 ft
Max depth
1,150 mi
Shoreline
6 ft
Typical clarity
660 ft
Elevation

Lake of the Ozarks covers 54,000 acres in Missouri and drops to 130 feet at its deepest point. It is a reservoir impounded in 1931 and managed by Ameren Missouri. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Allowed; county rules. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Large open water, 54,000 acres
  • 1150 miles of shoreline
  • Boating
  • Party coves

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 6.0
Recreation 7.2
Value 4.8
Access 7.3
Investment 7.0

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Largemouth bassCrappieCatfishPaddlefish

On the water

BoatingParty covesFishingGolf
No USGS gauge on this lake. Water level and clarity figures below come from published lake management data rather than a live sensor.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 186 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 494 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 130 ft max avg 42 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 130 ft, average 42 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown3 ft Drawdown seasonWinter Trophic stateMesotrophic Typical clarity6 ft Water quality gradeC Elevation660 ft Managing authorityAmeren Missouri

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityAmeren Shoreline Management Wake / speed rulesOpen water; no-wake in coves
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with Ameren Shoreline Management that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Allowed; county rules

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$430,000
Median waterfront
$2,912
Per shoreline foot
-1.8%
Year over year
339
Est. inventory
102
Avg days on market
$349
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy52% Booked nights / yr137 Gross revenue$55,593 Net operating income$25,084 Yield on median price5.83%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Lake of the Ozarks actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$3,748
All-in per month
$99,570
Cash to close + setup
$11,470
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$44,978 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $27,187 (62%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $4,730 (11%) Property taxes $4,515 (10%) Utilities $2,700 (6%) Hazard insurance $1,806 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (2%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$27,187
Property taxes$4,515
Hazard insurance$1,806
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$4,730
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$44,978
Model your own numbers →
4.5 / 5 from 2 reviews
Best family lake we found
Danielle S. · Summer 2025
5/5

We looked at six lakes across three states before choosing this one. Sandy bottom in the swim areas, enough marina services, and it never feels crowded outside July.

Great water, know the drawdown
Danielle S. · Owner on the lake · Summer 2025
4/5

Beautiful clear water and the fishing is genuinely good. Be aware the level drops in the fall and our dock needed a longer walkway than we budgeted for. Not a dealbreaker, just plan for it.

For sale

Homes on Lake of the Ozarks

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