Norfork's Issues Continue

[Terry Beeson]

Of COURSE there is "insignificant change" in the DO at the DAM with increases of flow. There is no change because there is no significant change in the turbulance from the dam to the DO monitor. How far downstream from the outlet are we talking?

Now... Go DOWNSTREAM a half mile or so, do the same comparison. In fact, go downstream a mile or so and note the difference in DO there and at the dam.

Oxygen gets into water by diffusion from the surrounding air, by aeration (rapid movement), and as a waste product of photosynthesis. So, in effect, the more "flow" you have, the more aeration which will increase the DO levels.

Now, does that mean we don't need aereators at the dam? Quite the contrary when it comes to Norfork. The DO content of the water coming out of the dam at this time is very low. The quicker you get the DO level up, the better. The Norfork is not a very long fishery, so the DO needs to be added AT THE DAM to ensure sufficient DO for the fish in the Norfork.

As for BS, TR, GF, and Beaver tailwaters - they need quick DO too. They just have more help by being longer and having various other sources the Norfork lacks (confluences, length, etc.)

[Don Allenbaugh]

According to the tech he was talking about several places on the river not just at the dam.