Five gates open today at Table Rock Dam

[Phil Lilley]

The Corps will open 5 gates today at noon.  Here's the email I got - 

We will be opening some of our gates at noon today.  Table Rock is
currently 1.7 feet into the flood pool and we need to be passing 15k cfs.
Power release is about 10k cfs. This release is due to us having one of our
generators out of service for scheduled maintenance.

We will open 5 gates opened 1 foot each at 5,000 cfs to today make up the
difference.  I expect this operation may last through the end of this week.

With the 5 gates open one foot each at lake elevation 916.7 feet will pass
4990 cfs through the spillway and our power release will be 10K cfs for a
total release of approximately 15K cfs. 

Note:  Shad should be pouring over the dam so anything white will be a killer bait

[Phil Lilley]

Springfield got 5.5 inches of rain in one hour a couple of days ago and we're getting all that run off (James River).  Table Rock is jumping up so that's why they need to release.

[dtrs5kprs]

Good info. Thanks much.

[JestersHK]

Dang, just a few days ago we finally get to see bottom now back to open gates.  Gotta love spring patterns LOL.  On the bright side I bet the fish are going to swell back up again on another dose of shad!

[Phil Lilley]

2 hours ago, JestersHK said:

Dang, just a few days ago we finally get to see bottom now back to open gates.  Gotta love spring patterns LOL.  On the bright side I bet the fish are going to swell back up again on another dose of shad!

You got that right.  Going this evening.  We'll see what's interested.

[Phil Lilley]

Boated to the dam late this evening. Made one drift to Lookout. We caught 9 rainbows. White 3/32 oz jig. Lots of shad in the water. 

[JWC]

Thanks for the info Phil.... I'll be coming down later this week for the first time this year. Just curious with 5 gates open is it still o.k. to run straight up the middle? Any other suggestions on the best way to navigate up to the dam since the flood?

[Phil Lilley]

It's plenty deep all the way to the dam.  No issues at all.  Up 8 feet so you can't hit bottom if you wanted to...

I know some people get freaked out when they open gates but I think it's the best time to fish because of the shad.  Those 3 guys fishing up there yesterday afternoon/evening were giddy catching all those big trout.

If I didn't have so much to do here at the resort, I'd be up there all day.  I have to quit creating so much work and have a relaxing spring season... just once!!

[BilletHead]

 Life is short Phil, Delegate those projects to Duane and go fishing. Forgot you have to take him too. Jealous of you two except when things get hairy like the floods,

BilletHead

[Phil Lilley]

Early this morning, it was hot catching from the dam to Fall Creek - and down.  But as the flow of shad picked up, the catching slowed to a crawl.

Paul (my bro in law and dock hand) said that at one time the water was "white" behind the dock with floating threadfins.  There's floating shad as far down as Rockaway, it's been reported.