Horns, Water Generation and a Fast River

[LostMyWife]

Being here for such a short time, Hindsight is 20-20 was only the second article of Kens's that I have read. I found both to be a great read as well as informative.

It did cause me to think,

On our last trip to Taney, Rob and I were fishing below the MDC Ramp. We were at the bend right before Clay Banks. It was dusk, and the horn went off twice. As we had been instructed, we looked to see what other fishermen were doing and were surprised to see that no one was moving. The sun was almost gone, so we decided that the dark, rising water and rookies did not go together so we headed out.

My questions:

What actually happenes when the horn blows.

What does it mean when the horn blows more than once?

How long after the horns before the water gets dangerous?

How much does the water rise?

Is there anything else that I should know?

To be honest, Ken's article was a bit unnerving.

[Phil Lilley]

I've heard that the horn is activated by air entering a turbine... and one horn equals one turbine... but I've never had those stories confirmed.

But the number of horns could every well indicate how much water will run.

BUT if the horn blows once, I'd heed the warning and move to safe ground.

The amount of water released varies from very little, delayed to alot and all at once. You never know, and you should assume to know.

One thing though, always move downstream if you get in trouble, if possible. If you watch the release, you'll see the flow moving down- on the rise. On the White River, the rise is more dramatic but moves downstream slower it seems. You can actually outrun it if you are able to. But I am not an expert by any means on the White... only a few experiences under my belt.

[LostMyWife]

Thanks Phil

I have had one uncomfotable situation in that area that turned out well. I do not intend to press my luck.

[Thom]

You are right about the White river. I learned quickly if the horn sounds start for the bank immediately. Fishing at the State park you can get out to the other side for a good ways when the water is off. It is also good to remember the path that you took to get to your spot and wear a belt. If you hit a hole even a foot deeper on your way back you will go in over the top of your waders.

Ther are enough long deep bends that if you get out immediately and go to the next access...White hole.., you can fish for almost 45 minutes before the water gets there and starts to rise. fishing is usually good on the rise. Then you can go to the ramp and fish another 45 minutes then to cotter and so on.

[Danoinark]

I agree. One horn and I am heading to higher ground. The one horn could mean just one generator, but at the same time you don't know what cfs they are going to release. Dano

[drbewley]

It is my understanding that on the White (Bull Shoals)they only blow the horn once. It could be one unit or all eight.

[Terry Beeson]

Yep... one horn and I'm "outta there" for sure. But I've been at BSD and the horn go off and nothing happen. Not an inch rise.

Gary Hansen at Rim Shoals says it's about an 8 hour delay from the dam to his place. You can be fishing at BSD in the morning, the horn go off, and "ride the rise" to Rim that evening.

By the way, LMW, be very careful if you are fishing far enough below the dam. You can't hear the horn.... Always keep a "water level mark" such as a rock or stick or something to relate the water level to. Check it periodically and if you see a rise of even a few inches, you should start for the shore.

I was fishing Rim Shoals one time and was watching a rock that kind of stood out on the bank near my fishing spot. I turned and noticed the rock was starting to go under. Never noticed any change where I was standing. I started for the ramp and got there with little time to spare. It can happen pretty quickly....

[LostMyWife]

I had not thought about a marker. Seems like the water was running faster but it was not rising.

[Danoinark]

When I first started fishing the tailwaters and Old Sage told me to put a hundred dollar bill on a rock and keep my eyes on it ever so often to make sure the water was not coming up.

Dano

[LostMyWife]

Sounds like Old Sage waslookin to make a fast hundred