Big News!

[Phil Lilley]

I have to verify this but my dock person was told yesterday the following:

EMPIRE - the boards will be DOWN until OCTOBER. At some point in October, they will DRAW Taneycomo down 4 feet below power pool for 2 WEEKS so that they can install a "new system" across the top of Powersite Dam.

THIS MORNING ZERO units were on. NO GENERATION. With the boards down, the lake is be extremely low, especially above Trout Hollow.

I boated up to the Narrows early this am to take some picks - posted later this afternoon. The lake is still draining out. The water is supposed to kick on about noon today.

I wanted to drive to the dam and take some pics up there but ran out of time- had to get to church.

My Observations-

IF this is going to be the pattern for the next 4-5 months, we're going to see this very low water for lengthly periods of time. I would assume trout will move to deeper holes, where ever they can find them. I bet a lot of trout will move out of the trophy area because the water up there is going to be extremely skinny- shallow. I was amazed at the lack of watered area at the Narrows. I could not get above that point so I don't know what it looks like further up.

I would think the Corp would run some water most of the time just to keep the upper end watered but I don't know if they're going to do that- ie. this morning ---> no generation.

All I can say- it's going to be very interesting. Unchartered Territory.

[Thom]

I have been thinking about one of those small infaltable boats for trips down. Oars maybe a trolling motor. Might be a good summer to try one. We have lots of small lakes near my home which dont allow motors in which it could be used also for a quick trip.

Thanks for the heads up Phil and looking foward to the pics this afternoon.

Thom

[Wayne SW/MO]

Thom, small catarafts have come a long way and you might want to look a some of them.

[Phil Lilley]

[Bman]

Jet boat times! Right Gator?

[Greg]

Wow that is big news. Unchartered territory but I'd sure love to see some wadeable water this summer and fall. Thanks for sharing.

Greg

[BIG K]

Jet boat times! Right Gator?

Looking at the last 2 pictures is there even room to get a boat on up past that rock bar do you think a bass boat with trolloing motor down and big motor trimmed up will make it

[mwfischer]

Looking at the last 2 pictures is there even room to get a boat on up past that rock bar do you think a bass boat with trolloing motor down and big motor trimmed up will make it

I would imagine that if you hug the bluff really close you'd be OK.. may only be about 3' of water over there now, but I think it's passable. Probably can't get much farther than the island at that level though for sure.

[BredMan]

Those are some very impressive pictures Phil. It definitely looks to be a boaters nightmare for most and more so if the water level drops even more. How ironic that just a few weeks ago the water was at a record high and now so very low. Pretty amazing how the power of water can change and rearrange. I hope Phil can get some pictures on up to the dam. I can't get over the excessive gravel bars and the docks setting on them high and dry!

[Jack Jones]

Time to break out the kayaks/canoes and paddle up!!!!!