Hydroelectric power barely trickles from Bagnell Dam at The Lake of the Ozarks as Ameren U-E tries to conserve water. Plant Superintendent Phil Thompson says the lake is experiencing its fourth-straight year of drought. Thompson says the plant relies soley on the weather to supply the dam with enough water to generate electricity. Ameren has been conserving water since August by operating the plant at a minimum flow required by the federal government. Thompson says this year could have the second-worst rate of electrically generated power since the plant was built in 1931.