Water color and sediment.

[shrapnel]

In my opinion, the rains 3 weeks ago hit at the worst time for this lake, being 4-5' into draw down at the time so I understand there was more exposed sediment in creeks and shallow flats to be washed in.  But WHY does it take so darn long for this lake to clear up VS others?  The lake is almost 80yrs old, and 99% rock banks.  Cold water isn't supposed to hold sediment well.  Which major feeders are mud bottom, or draining a ton of tilled farm land?  None I can think of.  Little ol Stockton received more rain than LOZ and doesn't suffer near the sediment influx it seems, I know not near the watershed feeding it either.

[fishinwrench]

The fact that the lake was at (and still is) at 655.xx has alot to do with it.  The rain fell on alot of bare bank.  Miles and miles of bare bank, as in equal to the coast of California....or so I've heard.  That's a lot of silt for a lake no wider than this one is.   Then we had several windy days, which added more.  

The clear water coming in from the creeks now is pretty much staying on top.  Here in the upper Gravi the first 10inches of water is clear, but the water underneath that surface layer is still heavily stained.  

[kjackson]

The Cole Camp Creek arm was pretty muddy last year and didn't start clearing until winter.  Was at our place last weekend, and it was Mississippi muddy, the muddiest I've seen it.  With all the boat traffic, the mud/silt gets stirred up pretty regularly in our section.  

[MCrump]

Shrapnel, I'm glad you brought it up, at least I don't feel like the only surprised one this way. After a week of work I ran down tonight in the glaize around army rec and my heart sank when I got close enough to see the chocolate milk that replaced the lake water. I put in and exercised the motor to make sure everything was in working order for when conditions are right, but as for this evening.... didn't stay long and got skunked. I'd say visibility was at max 5 inches. Saw water temps 47 to 51.

[kjackson]

Was back at the cabin yesterday, and all the mud has moved out. Clarity was good--to the point I could see the bottom in more than a foot...  There was a lot of algae globs floating around, though, and some boats running up the main channel hunting for fish.