FLW
Outdoors announced Wednesday that the upcoming Walmart FLW Tour event
on Table Rock Lake has been canceled due to historic flooding in
southwest Missouri. The tournament was originally slated for May 5-8. In
regards to rescheduling the event, FLW Outdoors officials are exploring
various options. Further details will be announced as they become
available.
The water level at the Table Rock Dam
is currently sitting at 935.4 feet, having surpassed the previous record
high of 933 feet. Within the past four days, the lake has risen nearly
20 feet. Full pool is 915 feet.
“Our foremost concern is the safety of
the anglers,†said Kathy Fennel, president of FLW Outdoors Operations
Division. “The high water levels and floating debris make boat operation
hazardous. The decision to cancel was reached after multiple
discussions with state and local officials, and we felt it was
imperative to notify anglers before they began traveling to Branson.â€
“Given the current flood situation, we
recommended FLW Outdoors call off the event,†said Capt. Gary Haupt with
the Water Patrol Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “The
water level is currently more than 2 feet higher than our highest
recorded level, and all lake access areas are closed. In conditions like
this, the possibility of both personal and property damage is greatly
increased. We’ve already revoked tournament permits through Sunday and
are in the process of revoking permits through May 8. We applaud FLW
Outdoors’ proactive decision.â€
