Powersite Dam barrier broken and utility company seems clueless!

Forsyth MO. - On or about June the 28, Powersite Dam suffered a mechanical failure in a water blocking mechanism that normal projects up a few few allowing water to be withheld up to 702 feet or so. This insures that folks living along the Taneycomo waterway have water for their boats and docks to ride on. When it fails, the water is allowed to flow freely and so some dock owners awoke to find their stuff high and dry! Now it's been a couple of weeks and no repairs had yet been forthcoming.

I was also told that the Corps of Engineers were withholding water from Table Rock dam in an effort to get Taneycomo's level down far enough to replace what had broken. Powersite Dam, which is run by Liberty Utilities (formerly Empire), seemed clueless when a recent call to their Corporate office came up empty. No one seemed to know what the status of this repair effort was at! And, while they promised to call me back when they had an answer, I was left wondering just who is in charge concerning the Canadian owned enterprise... I'll post an update when I hear back from these folks.

Update: Monday, July 15, 2019 - I talked with a spokesperson from Liberty Utilities and was informed that the damage was to a pneumatic line that services the movable gates and that it will be inaccessible for repair until such time as the Bull Shoals water level drops to or below 675 feet msl. This morning Bull Shoals was at 687 feet.

Forsyth MO restaurants and other eateries in July 2019!

Forsyth MO. - If the town of Forsyth Missouri can boast about anything, it can concerning the number of eateries available to its some 2300 residents. Everything from fast food to family dining to Asian and Mexican specialty houses abound! In this post, I wanted to take a quick peek at all of them;

McD's - As you enter town from the north on Hwy 160, one of the first venues you'll likely run into would be McDonald's, a fast food enterprise situated on the corner of 160 and Coy Blvd. And, while I haven't stepped inside the place for some number of months, it looks to always be doing a brisk business. [One rumor I had heard was that this location was to soon sport auto cashier stations. I've also noticed that the prices are on the high side.]

Sonics - Just a little further south on Hwy 160, also on the left side and just past the Country Mart grocery store is a Sonics. I still do the drive thru from time to time and generally order a premium hotdog and fries. This is one of very few locations where you can get yourself a good dawg at a reasonable price.

Mountain William Pizza - This relatively new venue that used to be the Mexican Burrito place has an interesting menu in that they offer both pizza and pasta dishes. I really wanted to stop in an order a gold old dish of spaghetti and meatballs, but a current diet I was on prevented me from going there. I hoped to remedy that sometime in early August when I was a bit slimmer.

Yummy Donuts - Located just down the line of this eatery killers row is a place that I had not yet attended. As a man on a low carb diet, I just haven't had the nerve to step across the threshold. Others more bold than me tell me that the food there is divine.

Frosted Mug -  This venerable old location is one of the few all smoking restaurant/ bars in the area. When I go there to eat, I'll often order either tacos (a special on Wednesday) or the French dip and French fries which are specially priced on Tuesdays. You can eat there or have carry out. Your choice.

Oaxaca - The one and only true Mexican restaurant in town sports a very large menu selection. I ate there, recently, and enjoyed the food. I had a taco, burrito and rice combo which was great although I also felt that the prices were just a tad high.

Long Horn - Another long standing family dining affair serves up a mean hamburger and fries. I go there on a regular basis for both breakfast and lunch.

Fat Daddy's - Pulled pork on a bun with a side of fries is a favorite of mine. FD's is all about BBQ and they live up to the fine tasting rep they have.

Charlies - Currently closed.

Thrive bistro - Situated just across from the Forsyth public library is a nice little venue that serves an assortment of Italian leaning entrees. Recently, when I dined there I had their angel hair spaghetti and sauce offering with garlic bread sticks which was fabulous!

Shadowrock Cafe and Grill - Currently closed.

Just water under the bridge! Circa 2019!

Forsyth Mo - On April 18, 2010, I recorded a sound set by a band at the Frosted Mug. The song was about life experiences now under the bridge. As a Nation, on the eve of our Declaration of Freedom from foreign shore tyranny and oppression, a date which we call Independence Day, I do so submit this rendition... enjoy - https://youtu.be/2fAjqskLXJQ

Powersite Dam problems!

Forsyth MO. - On or about  the 28th of June, 2019, a air bladder mechanism failed at Powersite Dam resulting in the top retention area lowering. This allowed water levels at Taneycomo Lake to plummet to such an extent that some dock owners went out to find their docks were resting on mud!

The effects of lowering water levels fro 702 feet msl to 698 were easy to see! Areas that were normally covered with two to three feet of water were laid bare!

Forsyth and local area grass cutting and weeding service!

Mountain Williams Pizza to open soon!

Forsyth MO. – A new pizza/pasta eatery was scheduled to open in Forsyth Missouri on the first day of June and I could hardly wait to try out some of the great looking items I saw on a copy of their take out menu (see above graphic)!

The restaurant is located at 15709 US Hwy 160 in Forsyth Mo. and replaces the former Mexican Burrito that had been in operation for a number of years. The property, which I think, was still owned by KDML Properties LLC certainly had the exterior redone. I was guessing that the establishment was to open any day, say with the first week of June! This restaurant can be reached by calling 417-546-2012 from 10AM to 10PM daily. They also have a Facebook page for anyone interest in following them.

I hope to be posting a food review of sorts in the near future as I plan to sample both their pizza offerings as well as a couple of the pasta selections. I can hardly wait!

While watching two area parks sink beneath the waves...

Entrance to Shadowrock Park!

Forsyth MO. - On what was likely to be one of my last drives through Shadowrock Park, located near Forsyth Missouri, I couldn't help but to lament the loss of a great recreational area....once again.

With the Bull Shoals water level at at little over 677 feet (normal levels would be 659), I could see that very soon the only access road was likely to be covered with water. Just before that happened, the city authorities would close and lock the two gates that allowed traffic to flow through. And when that happens, the area will be minus two of the three parks that give so much pleasure to so many during better times.

Picnic canopies nearly covered!

Over across the way, the other park aka River Run had been inundated for a week or more as it was located at a slightly lower elevation. And now, with Shadowrock disappearing, that left only Empire Park to for boating, fishing and walking. So, who or what was to blame?

Empire Park always is high & dry!

When you factored in the fact that most of southwest Missouri had experienced near normal amounts of rainfall, one had to go a bit further afield to understand exactly why things were just slightly sideways. And, that search need go no further than northwest Arkansas where the Bull Shoals dam is located and which empties out into what amounts to a large stream. (A 'stream' that meanders its way down to the Mississippi River which is currently experiencing its own problems resulting from floods in the central and northern tier of states)! So, one could say that in cases were other states get excessive rainfall, that sort of event will sometimes (always) also impact the trio of lakes (Beaver) Tablerock and Bull Shoals) where I live.

In my view, this is not a very good state of affairs, not only for the Tri-Lakes area but also for other areas that were suffering even worse problems. I wonder if anyone, say the Corps of Engineers, has a clue as how to improve things in the future.