Lake drawdown

[snagged in outlet 3]

With all due respect why can other dam controllers like the TVA put out reliable generation schedules?

I've been to a few tail water areas and they all put out reliable information.

[MOPanfisher]

I don't know that I can give you a good answer.  I took a quick read through TVA's site information, they have a bunch of electrical generating capability.

• 8 fossil plants (41 active units)
• 3 nuclear plants (six units)
• 29 hydro plants (109 units)
• 1 pumped storage hydroelectric plant (four units)
• 9 natural gas combustion-turbine plants (87 units)
• 7 natural gas combined-cycle plants (11 units)
• 1 diesel-generator site (five units)
• 14 solar energy sites
• 1 wind-energy site
• \
•  
• SWPA  appears to be more hydro-based.  it may be that with a "bigger tool box" that TVA is able to schedule it better as it spreads is out over multiple sources.  I honestly don't know.  I agree that SWPA generation schedules are only a "guesstimate" at best, and often anything over 24hrs out is highly succeptible to change.

[Rodmaker]

3 hours ago, BrowningCollector.com said:

I have took video from Baxter to Holiday island and Hideaway up to Bridgeport several years (15-16) ago when the lake was down to 900'.  I spent three days on the water going back to many places to see why I caught fish there and to video tape.  I put it on 2 DVD's a couple years ago.  It is amazing to see the structure that held fish in certain areas and to see structure to go back and fish. You won't regret spending time doing it. Just be careful if the lake gets down to 900'.

I was down there in March of that year. Lake was down 14'. I took alot of photos myself. Pretty amazing what gets exposed.

[Champ188]

15 hours ago, MOPanfisher said:

I know I have discussed this before, but there is always a trade off.  If you want the lake to be a pure flood control lake, expect extreme low water levels, drawn down to 900 or less every year, to provide more room to store flood waters, if you want to have it strictly for recreation, then all the water will quickly get passed through to hold it at "normal", and forget about useful hydro-electric generation, if you want primarily hydro generation, then expect more extended high water periods for the water to be held so it can be generated with.  Each group has their own biases.  Recreation wants it stable, Hydro folks want lots of water to generate with, flood control folks are not concerned with recreation just the storage of flood waters.  Hydro-electric generation is worth Billions of dollars to SWPA, there is a value paid simply to have the generators available (not broken down or awaiting repair), in case they need electricity, when one is broken down there is a big push to get back on line.  SWPA has also in the last several years been willing to drop a lot of money into major maintenance and repair items on the hydro dams, in essence funding things that would take years to get through congress and the federal budgeting system, simply so they can have the ability to produce electricity.   

In my oddball opinion the next 20 years will be a roller coaster ride on lake levels, whether you want to blame it on Global Warming, or Republicans, or Muslims, storms seem to be getting stronger and dropping more and more precipitation into small areas, creating a massive flood situation.  In areas like the White River system, it can handle one or maybe even 2 large events, but when you start chaining them together over the course of a year, and the Mississippi is also flooded, limiting what can be released further downstream it becomes a balancing act to try to hold it until it can be released.  Couple that with extended periods of no rain, and an ever increasing demand for clean cheap electricity on demand (read that as hydro-electric generation), and the competing interests are going to go at it like wolves on a fresh kill. And all that is NOTHING but my own opinion. 

Lots of good, level-headed information right here.

[vernon]

2 hours ago, Champ188 said:

Lots of good, level-headed information right here.

What he said.  I've given up trying to explain/defend USACE.  It's a waste of time and effort.  Just as well argue politics or religion.  People are not going to change their opinions of what the corps has done, is doing or will do no matter what.

It's too bad because after working for over 30 years in multiple branches of our exasperating federal government, I can honestly say that USACE is the hardest working, smartest bunch of em' all.  And it ain't close.  However, congress and state level politicians seem determined to make them look as incompetent as they possibly can at every opportunity.

And that's all I have to say about that.

[Nitroman]

Well, over the years I have had dealings with several of them @ various levels & observed several of them while they work ( IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT WORK ) if they are the hardest working & smartest bunch of em' all we are in worse trouble than I thought. Try asking 3 of them the exact same question re. their rules, regulations, etc. & see if you get the same answer from all 3, will you, " NO YOU WON'T " should you " YES " !!!!!!! By the way, when they cannot explain away a situation or regulation they blame everything on congress & state government. Will they do so publically no, but behind closed doors that is their standard #1 response. I will change my opinion when they are deserving. Currently & over the last 14 years I am not impressed.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I'm glad you said that, Nitroman.  I deal with the Corp almost daily and it is very frustrating to say the least.  Try to clarification on a steel specification for a marine project and see what happens.

[vernon]

2 hours ago, Nitroman said:

Well, over the years I have had dealings with several of them @ various levels & observed several of them while they work ( IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT WORK ) if they are the hardest working & smartest bunch of em' all we are in worse trouble than I thought. Try asking 3 of them the exact same question re. their rules, regulations, etc. & see if you get the same answer from all 3, will you, " NO YOU WON'T " should you " YES " !!!!!!! By the way, when they cannot explain away a situation or regulation they blame everything on congress & state government. Will they do so publically no, but behind closed doors that is their standard #1 response. I will change my opinion when they are deserving. Currently & over the last 14 years I am not impressed.

As I stated, no one will ever change the opinion of those who believe as you do and that's your right.  Whether from afar or based upon your own personal experiences, you are convinced that all corps staff are lazy and worthless (my words not yours) which (in my opinion) is inaccurate and unfortunate.  That being said, I hope you would agree that government does not have a monopoly on lazy and worthless employees.  

As a former USACE "bureaucrat" (management analyst) I can't speak as knowledgeably regarding the field staff as most of my dealings with them occurred during site visits (when everyone is on their best behavior) or during meetings and training sessions conducted at the district office.  But believe me, they ain't all worthless and lazy.

And, for what it's worth, I get pretty much the same treatment that you describe at the customer service counter most anywhere that I go.  

However, I really am sorry that you are so frustrated and dissatisfied with your situation.  Nobody needs so much additional and unnecessary stress added to their life.  And I'm not being the least bit sarcastic.

 

[fshndoug]

I know a guy that works for the Coe ,works from home so he is always out at the local lake fishing.What a gig.

[Ben Gillispie]

I got 4 different answers from 3 different officials from ACE about any regulations regarding my monitoring equipment that provides data for AnglerSpy.com 

The gentlemen I spoke with we're very friendly though... And I get it. They are not going to risk their jobs by giving out OK's that could land them in hot water. I think they do a fairly good job, given the red tape they're faced with... Would you risk a pension 3 times the size of a teachers???