University of Central Missouri Announces Temporary Closure of Pertle Springs Lake for Critical Maintenance

UPDATE: March 11, 2025:

The University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) Facilities, Planning, and Operations department is excited to announce that Pertle Springs Lake will reopen for fishing on Friday, March 14. 

While the lake is open, please note that the dam area will still be closed to the public as final grading and seeding work is ongoing. The dam will be posted as off-limits, but fishing will be allowed in other areas of the lake.

 

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The University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) Facilities, Planning and Operations department announces the temporary closure of Pertle Springs Lake starting Monday, Dec. 16. This closure is necessary to complete essential maintenance on the dam outflow, which requires immediate replacement to ensure the long-term stability of the lake and surrounding areas.

 

As part of the repair process, the lake’s water level will be lowered by approximately 4–5 feet. This drawdown will expose significant areas of mudflats, which are unstable and present potential safety hazards. To ensure public safety and protect the lake environment, access to the lake will be restricted until the project's completion, currently estimated for late January 2025.

 

To protect the lake’s ecosystem, fishing will be prohibited during the maintenance period. This precaution is intended to minimize stress on the fish population.

"We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as we undertake this vital project to preserve Pertle Springs Lake for the benefit of future generations," said Paul Day, project manager.

 

Any critical updates will be shared with the public via news notices to local news media and on the UCM News Bureau page at https://www.ucmo.edu/news/. For questions or concerns, please contact Paul Day at 660-543-4600.