High Water

[Phil Lilley]

Just posted this on our Facebook Page:

We don't like to post negative news, especially news we have no control over, and we can't predict. But maybe by now you've seen in the news that we're getting a lot of rain in our area and that lake levels are rising so this won't come as a shock.

Presently, the Corps is releasing 13.400 cfs of water through Table Rock Dam which equals 4 turbines, although they are running about 4,200 cfs over the spill gates because one turbine isn't working. Table Rock's level crested at 918.4 feet a few days ago and is dropping, slowly. It's at 917.94 feet right now. Normal pool is 915 feet. Anytime the level gets past 920 feet, they release more water over the spill gates. It's when Table Rock's levels get in the upper 20's we see our lake level go over our dock ramps and up into the road. If there's a possibility it goes to 930 feet, we will get water in our lower units again, 19-20 and 21.

Right now, that DOESN'T look like this will happen.

The forecast says our water shed is to get 6.5 inches of rain between now and May 1. This includes today's rain and more rain on Saturday. But the rain model has been moving south and east of us... it changes almost hourly. But south and east is good for us.

So looking ahead, we are going to see high water, not flooding, on our lake for the next week, may be longer. But on the positive side, opening the spill gates at TR Dam brings in threadfin shad which our trout absolutely love! The trout will be hitting anything white below the dam as well as down lake below Fall Creek, they'll be eating minnows too. The long range fishing forecast is exciting!