Dangerous Conditions

[JCWolfe]

In Oklahoma they will sound the horn before they release water as a warning, and then a few minutes later another long horn blast when the water is being let out. You still have to pay attention though because they sound the horn with any gate change. It's possible it could be an "unscheduled" power generation instead of an increase of the water flow during non generation. Those who fish the Lower Illinois know what I'm talking about. At least we have a warning.

[Col Ron]

I don't cross the White river either, in the catch and release area, up by the dam, it is a real long haul and would certainly lead you to floating down the river. I am normally out in the middle someplace, and do head to the closest shore if I get surprised. Yesterday, they started to run water at 2pm, 3 hours before the predicted generation, once again, no horn. I don't even bother calling them anymore. Also, a point of information, there are no operating engineers in the Bull Shoals dam. All operations have been moved to Table Rock dam and everthing is operated through computers at the Table Rock site. Employees were transferred, I know two that sold their houses in the Lakeview area and moved to Branson. That really doesn't have a much to do with this problem.

The Oklahoma idea is great, however, here, they have trouble blowing the horn even once. I really do think if they cared, they would have an advisory board made up of fisherpeople, conservationist from the public and "listen" to what they have to say.

[jdmidwest]

This brings up another thought. SWPA employees are not "government" employees. The dams are maintained by the Corps, but the generation is controlled by the power company. As a consumer of their product, you might have some say in the matter.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Also, a point of information, there are no operating engineers in the Bull Shoals dam. All operations have been moved to Table Rock dam and everthing is operated through computers at the Table Rock site. Employees were transferred, I know two that sold their houses in the Lakeview area and moved to Branson. That really doesn't have a much to do with this problem.

There is no employees at all there?? Maybe someone should call and tell them their horn is broke.

[Col Ron]

Bear, I use to all the time on the call box by the gate that goes to the B.S. dam. The call now goes to Table Rock. Inside the dam, they have no idea if the horn goes off or not. Their response is always the same, "it is suppose to".

[Col Ron]

I wanted to pass along to you what I have been doing since I posted this topic.

I have been in communication with Little Rock, Army Corp, who really listened and I wanted to take back my comments. They are listening and do care, about the users of the river system. A gentleman from the Army Corp called me after I sent him a long email about the problem and promised to look into the problem. 8 days ago, if you were below the B.S. dam, they tested the system for 4 hours, driving us nuts with the horn, but found some "issues" with the system. They thought they had it fixed, until this last Sunday, when the water was generated and no horn. I again talked to the A.C. on the call box on the Baxter County side. They ran tests again yesterday, starting up each unit, determining which automatic system was malfunctioning. I received a call today from Little Rock, stating they will not quit until the system is reliable.

Secondly, the A.C. shared with me that they have had several high level meetings about rapidly notifying the users of the river. To my surprise, they are looking into a software program to text signed up users on cellphones when conditions change at the dam. I congratulated them for listening and to please press on and use whatever technology exists to inform as many people as possible.

Nice job Corp, thanks for listening.

Colronguide.com

[mic]

your wife is a rarity in the world of the bureaucrat. Very few government employees I come into contact with have ANY common sense.

Muddy, your statement doesn't pass the common sense test...

1. Most importantly, you only come in contact with maybe 1 percent of government employees, probably less

2. The ones you do come in contact with are normally in a data administration function... not exactly requiring degrees from MIT.

3. You may (probably) also be mixing up the person's common sense with the "sense" of the rules and regulations that they are paid to enforce or implement.

4. You seem to be on top of things, but I would bet if you, or most people, were put behind the desk at government office and had to deal with all the "smart" folks who come to visit, you might not have a different opinion.

I work for the government, and my teams install million dollar, high tech networks all over the world. I can guarantee you my team is full of highly trained, very smart people that would compete with anybody in the commercial world.

[Col Ron]

Mic,

I concur. There are great people in public service. I did my best to serve the people of Illinois and the Illinois State Police for nearly 30 years.

Colron

[Aaron Mills]

Agreed a second downstream horn would be great much needed on the norfork at ackerman.

[Guest]

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