Powersite Dam Removal (Not Happening, Discussion Only!)

[Dylan Cluver]

I recently just watched the film Dam Nation, it was very good and if you are a fisherman, conservationist, etc, I think you should watch it, and I believe you will enjoy it. I will say there are some folks in the film who have opinions that I share and many that I do not. There is a lot of good info in the film, it is mostly based on migratory fish on our east and west coasts.

This is the part that is only for discussion. A "what if?"

I REPEAT, only a DISCUSSION, this is NOT HAPPENING! I can not stress enough I am not advocating this, I am just curious.

What if Powersite Dam was removed?

How would that effect our local economy? The white and Norfork tailwaters have resorts on them right?

My biggest question is would it create more fishing access, mainly for wading, along taneycomo?

[laker67]

Hi Dylan. It would allow every striped bass from bull shoals lake to reak havoc amongst our trout.

[Dylan Cluver]

Hi Dylan. It would allow every striped bass from bull shoals lake to reak havoc amongst our trout.

Stocked trout make good meals for Stripers!

[laker67]

Stocked trout make good meals for Stripers!

Probably so, but I would prefer to catch trout.

[Phil Lilley]

Interesting question.

Powersite is the oldest dam built west of the Mississippi, finished in 1913. At what point is Powersite deemed too old to stand and is taken out?

There would have to be more flow from the dam (minimum flow) or the upper end would be nothing but pools of stagnate water.

Stripers and other warm water species would move up in the upper end of the lake at times and trout would be targeted by stripers but if MDC would take this into consideration and stock enough to keep the stripers and anglers happy, it'd be pretty cool!

But that's a big IF. Not sure they could stock enough. And then when trout fishing is bad, everyone will blame the stripers - like they do when crappie fishing is bad on striper lakes.

[Terrierman]

Concrete just gets harder and harder the older it gets.

[laker67]

I would be curious as to what the lake would look like with a 45 foot drop in elevation, from 701 to 654. I suppose it would look like the white river again as it once was. Thx for the pictures Phil.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I suspect that in time the affect on the economy would be good. Most of the fishing is now in the Branson area with very little until Cedar Point just past Rockaway. I can't help but think 26 miles,+ or-, of wading water wouldn't draw quite a few more fishermen.

Given the age of the dam and the push for renewables I doubt any thought will be given to taking it out unless it becomes damaged and can't be repaired.

[Feathers and Fins]

If they took out Powersite and they wanted to have a incredible trout striper and walleye fishery they could build ( weir dams ) on the upper sections. If it was me planning it I would install one at 1/4 mile below outlit 3 then another 2.0 miles below the dam and a thirds one 6.5 miles from the dam and a final one 9.0 miles below the dam.... These would allow with a upgraded minimum flow requirement constant waterfalls which would help with oxygen and act as fish ladder while helping keep stripers out of the upper 10 miles but still allowing for them to be near the main tourist attractions in Branson specifically Bass-Pro. The Basspro weir would give anglers the chance at trout and striper A Win for Angler's a Win for Tourist Money for them and still preserve and probably enhance Taney's trophy trout possibilities.

[Dylan Cluver]

wouldn't the weir dams end boating on the upper section?