White River Chain of Lakes Balancing Act

[Phil Lilley]

In the conference call yesterday with the Corp and weather service, Steve Bays explained what's next for our lakes - Beaver, Table Rock and Bull Shoals.

Once Bull Shoals approaches flood pool, the Corps will balance all 3 lakes as to volume of conservation pool remaining (I think that's the term).  They will try to keep the same amount of free space in all 3 lakes without spilling at Bull Shoals.

He said they have to wait 7 days after the White River crests at Newport before they can release at Bull Shoals.  Even then, the Mississippi's high water will come into play at some point.

So in for a wild ride this month.

[rps]

I hope we all get more lucky from here on out.

[J-Doc]

It seems every year, the amount of flooding increases.  It's a combination of increased run-off from increased population and construction growth. It cannot be denied that runoff and drainage systems among our cities has increased the amount of water flow into our streams and lakes. 

Since 2007, I have seen (my own observation) an increase in both rainfall in the spring (rain per hour rates) and the amount of flooding that occurs in lake levels.  The high water in 2015 is a good example.  What about other years since? 

I want to know how the Corp of Engineers will help prevent record flooding going forward.  If they would draw the lakes down to record lows in anticipation of heavy spring rains and record rainfall rates, the White River system could certainly retain the water easier without flooding people downstream as well as people near the White River system.

I know one of our own members here lost his home (parents home) to flooding of the White River system.  Some neighbors almost lost their lives and now they are all left with record flash flood levels of 40+ feet over normal levels.  That is insane! 

[Phil Lilley]

Could you make the some point this way?

I want to know how the Corp of Engineers will help prevent record drought going forward.  If they would leave the lakes at record highs in anticipation of long dry spells and record lack of rainfall rates, the White River system could certainly retain the water needed for power demand generation, recreation and agricultural needs of the delta downstream.

I'm not disagreeing with you... I'm playing the other side.

Lowering the pool elevation would help but what would that elevation be?  The lake was 907 ft not that long ago.

[J-Doc]

Beaver was only 2ft shy of the record low in 2002.  Lowest its been in quite a while. 

It jumped to full flood pool in only 9 days. So yes, I'd say it matters.  

 

Drought has not been a significant issue in this area since I moved here in 2002.  I don't think it's ever had a severe drought in this area of the nation. 

[Quillback]

From what I have been reading, the COE is required to operate these reservoirs according to Congressional law that was established sometime in the past.  When that was, I don't know.  But it seems to me that it may be time to reexamine those rules and see if they make sense in todays world.  The alternative is to sit back, and as RPS says, hope we get lucky.

Branson area continues to grow, NW Arkansas is projected to add another 200,000 people by the year 2050.  We need to make sure these impoundments are managed in a way that accounts for that growth. 

[J-Doc]

Well put. 

 

200,000......wow

I bet it makes that by 2025. 

[Phil Lilley]

1 hour ago, J-Doc said:

Beaver was only 2ft shy of the record low in 2002.  Lowest its been in quite a while. 

It jumped to full flood pool in only 9 days. So yes, I'd say it matters.  

 

Drought has not been a significant issue in this area since I moved here in 2002.  I don't think it's ever had a severe drought in this area of the nation. 

I know... there are a lot other varibles like head pressure (I heard this term at a meeting one time... I don't know what it is), and then there's recreation.  The resorts and marinas don't like low lake levels.

[Terrierman]

Do people want the COE to manage lake levels based on forecasts or what actually happens?  I will take reality ten out of ten times.

[J-Doc]

Head pressure can be easily explained. Don't know how they were using it in the meeting though. 

 

Take a big water tank.  Tap a hole in the bottom and connect to a pipe. Add a small bucket on the other end. 

 

Fill the big tank fill of water and then open a valve to allow water to drain into small bucket.  Water drains because of head pressure.  Which means water will try to equalize pressure.