Most docks at Lake of the Ozarks have power for lights, lifts, outlets and sometimes pumps or swim platforms. That’s convenient, but electricity in and around water can be deadly. Faulty wiring can energize the water around a dock, and a swimmer can be incapacitated or killed with no visible warning. It’s often called electric shock drowning.
Here’s what every dock owner should know.
Test GFCI protection every month
Ameren recommends testing the ground-fault (GFCI) protection on your dock’s electrical equipment monthly. Press the test button, confirm power cuts off, then reset. If a GFCI won’t trip, won’t reset, or trips constantly, have an electrician find out why. Never just bypass it.
Get the dock inspected regularly
Have both the dock and the power supply running to it inspected by a qualified electrician, especially:
- Before the season starts and before winter
- After storm damage or any time the dock was hit or shifted
- Before selling the property (in some fire districts, an electrical inspection is required before the dock permit can transfer)
- After any changes, like adding a lift, lights or outlets
Local fire districts and the Village of Four Seasons require permits and inspections for dock electrical work, so make sure whoever works on your dock’s power pulls them.
Warning signs
Get the dock checked right away if you notice:
- A tingling feeling in the water near the dock, or on metal parts of the dock or lift
- GFCI or breakers that trip repeatedly
- Lights that flicker or dim when the lift runs
- Exposed, cracked or chafed wiring, or wiring that runs through the water
- Corrosion on boxes, outlets or connections
Rules for swimmers
- Never swim near a dock with power on unless you’re confident the system is safe and protected. When in doubt, turn off the power at the shore before anyone gets in.
- Never energize or reset a GFCI or breaker while someone is in the water nearby. Ameren specifically warns against this.
- If a swimmer seems to be in trouble near a dock, don’t jump in. Turn off the power first, throw a flotation device, and call 911. Rescuers who jump in can become victims.
- Teach kids and guests the rules. Post them on the dock if you rent the property.
Winter and storms
When the lake drops for the winter drawdown, docks shift and connections can get pulled. Inspect wiring and lighting before winter, and turn off dock power during long periods of non-use if it’s safe to do so. After a storm, keep everyone off and out of the water near a damaged dock until power is off and it has been checked.
Getting work done
Dock electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician familiar with marine and dock wiring, with the right local permit and inspection. If your dock also needs structural work, such as storm repair, a lift repair or a move, mention the electrical issue when you request an estimate so the job can be coordinated safely. See our dock permit guide for how permits and electrical approvals fit together.
Safety information in this guide is based on Ameren Missouri’s published dock safety recommendations, accessed October 2026. It’s not a substitute for an inspection by a qualified electrician.