Riverside parks in Branson, Mo., are shown in green. Map courtesy of Yahoo Inc.
Rising water on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Mo., forced the evacuations of 15 people who live along the edge of the lake, Branson spokesman Jerry Adams said today (April 25), the Springfield, Mo., News-Leader reported.
“All of the RV campers in the city’s RV park also were evacuated around 5 a.m. this morning,” Adams said. “The RV park is flooded.”
Rising water also has covered the boardwalk by the lake at Branson Landing and is beginning to seep into lower parking areas.
Adams said the ramp leading to the White River Restaurant at Branson landing is under water, and people are not able to access the restaurant. He wasn’t sure yet if the restaurant would close.
The city took preventative measures ahead of the rising water, turning off power to the Branson Landing parking structures and closing propane tank valves that serve restaurants on the east side of the lake.
Adams said the city’s Stockstill Park was not yet flooded, but with Lake Taneycomo still rising — and the possibility that water might be released from Table Rock Dam — he said it’s likely the park would be inundated.
No businesses including theaters, restaurants and hotels along highway 76 have been negatively affected by the high water and heavy rains.
Table Rock lake stage is now at 922 feet. In 2008, during the Branson floods, the lake crested at 933.
