Lakes area businesses recount flood damage

As early as April 4, Branson’s Emergency Management Team began warning area residents and businesses of potential high water due to weather forecasts of heavy rain. Greg Oller, Table Rock Lake manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said a new record – 933.3 feet – for the lake level was set April 12. The previous record was 932.51 feet.

The dam, with 10 gates opened, also released up to 46,500 cubic feet of water per second into Lake Taneycomo, another record for the Corps. The last record was 31,000 cubic feet per second, set in May 1961.

According to Cindy Shook, city of Branson parks and recreation director, Branson officials evacuated the city campground early on April 9, and the campground reopened after clean-up on April 18. Shook calculates revenue lost from the closed campground to be $15,794.

“We know we lost one rally at $3,200,” she said. “We lost some people that could have been coming in for a month (stay).”

The campers were given the option of parking at the city’s RecPlex where some utilities were provided, according to Jerry Adams, city communication director. Adams said it was the second time this year that the campground closed due to high water.

Scotty’s Dock and Marina lost its mooring at the city campground early April 11, drifting downstream about 200 yards to 300 yards before coming to rest near Lake Taneycomo Bridge in downtown Branson. Lamar Patton, who bought the dock last September, said the combination of the water current and wind caused the dock to break loose. Patton said damage was minimal to the dock, which was retrieved by L & H Dock Service and secured April 18.

The lack of propane closed several restaurants at Branson Landing beginning April 10, when Lake Taneycomo rose to cover the east service road, lapping at their back doors. Melissa Hudson, Branson Landing general manager, said Garfield’s, Famous Dave’s, Cantina Laredo, Bar Louie and Joe’s Crab Shack were affected when propane had to be turned off as a safety precaution.

Famous Dave’s general manager Dave Jones said his restaurant’s financial loss was “pretty substantial” over the three-and-a-half days it was closed. White River Fish Co., which floats on Lake Taneycomo at the Landing, was closed for six days, according to David Miller, a restaurant supervisor, due to water covering its walkways.

All of the landing’s retail shops remained opened during the flooding, Hudson said.

See SBJ’s May 5 issue for more reports from local businesses affected by the flooding.[[In-content Ad]]