Table Rock reached a record level of more than 933 feet this spring. The Corps of Engineers hoped to bring the level down drastically by now.

“Back in May, we thought we could have the lake down to seasonal conservation pool, which is 917, by early July but June was a record month as far as precipitation,” said Greg Oller, the Corps’ Table Rock Lake manager.

Folks who enjoy the lake wish the lake level would drop but know Mother Nature isn't helping.

“It's rained three times this last week, so we understand there's not a lot they can do about it,” said Bud Oltman.

The floodgates are closed but water is going through the hydroelectric power plant at near maximum levels to bring the lake down. Commercial marinas on Table Rock, though, are open for business.

“I've been in touch with them. Over the past three or four weeks, they've had great weekends,” said Oller.

Private docks like the community dock that Oltman uses aren't being used much, however.

“This year, we haven't been on the dock at all except if we paddled out to it. Some people have canoes. I had to get on an inner tube,” said Oltman.

There's usually a walkway to get to the dock's walkway near the lake's edge but that's all under water. So getting anywhere near the dock takes a lot of maneuvering through the trees, either by land or by water.

“It's been an inconvenience,” said Oltman.

But he understands his inconvenience is minor compared to some. In at least one spot on the western end of the lake near Shell Knob, the lake is still cutting off a vital road. The Corps also sympathizes.

“Hopefully, in four or five days -- the weather forecast is very favorable for the rest of this week -- we can get the lake down a foot where those folks can get out,” said Oller.

And with Mother Nature's cooperation, the Corps hopes to bring Table Rock down to normal levels sometime in early August.

Oller says the lake is dropping about 2/10 of a foot per day over the past few days. Still, some recreation areas are closed, including Moonshine Beach, which will not reopen this year, Mill Creek, and Old Hwy 86. Oller also says, contrary to some rumors, E. coli levels in the lake are not high, and the water is safe for swimming.

The number of visitors to the lake this year is down about 25 percent from last year since the start of March. Oller says they're playing catch-up. Visitor levels are good now but they lost out on a lot of visitors this spring.