Water Flow White River

[Snow Fly]

Does anyone have a chart that tells you how long it takes a rise in the water to reach different parts of the White River once generation starts. I know this information will not be 100% accurate but it will give me an idea where to fish when I find out what time the generation started.

[shawncat]

Go to www.flyflinger.com and hit white river info.

[Aeronikl]

I agree, a very good source. I found the estimates to be very accurate, if you know the number of units generating. The estimates get screwed up if they start with 2, go to 4, and drop back, etc. If you have internet access when there, the real time COE website is very helpful, more so than the "scheduled" generation, since they change so much. For the best info, I also called the phone number at least once an hour when wading to find out times and number of units on-line, and planned from that. I had good water for evening fishing when they only ran 1 or 2 units, but when they went 4 or more, even for 1 or 2 hours, I had to get off the river before dark. After fishing so long at Taneycomo, I realize I was spoiled in being able to wade an hour after generation stopped. When I stayed in Cotter, the water was wadeable but still high 5-7 hours after generation stopped. Very good for morning float trips, but wading most holes was better after more like 12+ hours. They were in a pattern when I was there, starting in the afternoon and quitting at or before midnight.

[John Berry]

The rule of thumb (which the chart on flyflinger.com appears to be based on)is that the river rises about four miles an hour. I estimate that it drops about two miles an hour. The Home Waters book has the river mileage of all our local streams in it. With this imformation you can figure which section is fishable. I find that the generation charts on this website are very helpful because they tell you exactly how much water is discharged and when. 1000CFS is very differant from 3250CFS. If you call the dam and they tell you one generator is on, it could be either number or anything in between. There are other factors including rainfall and flow from creeks and tributaries that should be considered. If you are down stream from the Norfork you have to consider flow from it. Whenever you go through this process err on the side of conservatism. Whenever you are on the water be careful and constantly monitor the water level. Be safe!

[Snow Fly]

Thanks for the info. I will enter on the map in my copy of "Home Waters".