What A Mess!!!!

[skybroom]

Now that it's been a few weeks, has the crud been washed out of the entire lake?

Has there been any noticeable affect on the fishing?

Inquiring minds want to know. I'll be down in October.

[Phil Lilley]

Yes- it's long gone.

[brownieman]

WOW !!!

Guess I have become a hermit...this is the first I have heard of this...AMAZING!!!...must have missed it on the news or it was kept pretty hush hush...understandably so considering the involved 'powers that be'.

I find it hard to believe that the ones whom are suppose to protect our recourses let something of this magnitude happen.

Just my opinion, but here is my take on this one.

Whoever requested this drawdown and for whatever reason...MAN !...I can't fathom this one, hard one for me to swallow, but I am but a poor old country boy not being in an influential position or a man of wealth but I do have some smarts and a little common sense, little I said, lol...I have no choice, the damage already incurred, but to make an effort to laugh it off...either that or it'll make me sick!

IMO the CORPS, DNR, MDC all had knowledge of this in advance...the MDC's Shepard of the Hills Hatchery was well aware of this action as was the DNR and all else involved.

The hatchery draws deep water from Table Rock Dam to achieve optimum water temp levels for trout production so I assume they were fully aware as was the DNR and all environmental agencies involved in this decision making process.

I'm speculating Shepard of the Hills hatchery is the most highly visited, highest profile hatchery the MDC has due to the influx of tourism in Branson itself. IMO that's the reasoning behind the new 'trout stairs' or whatever they are.

Any agency, community, whatever should have forseen this disaster and have dealt with the impact accordingly.

The integrity of the lakes entire eco-system ( should have been a HUGE consideration ) has been damaged and will recover but it will take some time and apparantly ( whatever was discussed behind closed doors ) not much attention was given concerning the environmental impact.

IMO possibly a blind eye was turned on this one due to something...one can only speculate...figure for yourselves what the motives were and draw your own conclusions.

The environmental concerns appear to be of little consequence to all that were involved or this would never have happened...kinda glad I was not on this forum when this took place.

This incedent shows the regard given by the 'powers that be'...imo a classic example.

I hope for all the lake comes back with as little detramental results as possible.

Mother nature has a way of healing herself when man interveens...which for some reason never understood by myself...control mother nature, I for one think not...it's the other way around but so goes the mindset of the one's who feel they must control her in this 'age of ignorance'.

[Danoinark]

I am unfamiliar with the corp, mdc or local laws on Taneycomo governing docks.

Can one still get a private dock? Or are there only so many permits allowed and must be sold or transferred to another owner? Were there any notices for public comment when those docks were built down lake at BP shops? Who owns those and doesn't the city as anyone else have to obtain impact statements as to what potential damage could be done or what popensity for damage there might be in the future. After re reading Bills initial post it appears to me, and I certainly agree that when you upset the natural scheme then there always will be damage and to what extent is never clear until later on.

Dano

[Phil Lilley]

The lake has been drawn down may be a dozen times in our 24 years here on the lake. Only once to my knowledge did it do any damage to the upper lake, not counting this time. Not counting this last event because I wasn't here to witness it.

It's not in MDC's interest to oversee this event and have something happen. The one time (I'd have to look at my calendar to say what year it was) MDC guys were watching the first mile of the lake for signs of trouble. I boated up past Fall Creek and saw the damage. They'd drawn the lake down for about 24 hours, letting the sun bake the moss on the flats from lookout down. I took lots of pics of the damage- dead algea (moss) and lots and lots of dead scuds and sow bugs. I'm sure it didn't kill all the bugs. I would think some escaped the heat by digging down into the gravel, but it didn't look good.

I think MDC was shocked when they saw my pictures. I didn't publish them at the time cause I didn't want to embarrase them. I'd hoped they learn a lesson. I guess they didn't- IF it happened again as it appears.

I believe the bug population makes a quick comeback, although one fishery biologist at that time said it would take 2 years to recover.

As I said, I asked MDC about the latest drawdown. They didn't see anything wrong with the process, touting that all agencies worked together well.

I'm not sure where to go with this... I don't think you're going to get MDC to admit anything UNLESS someone has pictures of the damage.

All I can say- next time we'll be watching closely. Unforturately, I left the country just before it happened and didn't have people in place to oversee the event.

[Danoinark]

As I said, I asked MDC about the latest drawdown. They didn't see anything wrong with the process, touting that all agencies worked together well.

I'm not sure where to go with this... I don't think you're going to get MDC to admit anything UNLESS someone has pictures of the damage.

All I can say- next time we'll be watching closely. Unforturately, I left the country just before it happened and didn't have people in place to oversee the event.

Its good if those agencies were able to collaborate to work together..that is unusual in itself. I agree Phil we all must become watchdog stewards of the fishery's. Dano

[brownieman]

It's not in MDC's interest to oversee this event and have something happen. . I'm sure it didn't kill all the bugs. I would think some escaped the heat by digging down into the gravel, but it didn't look good.

I think MDC was shocked when they saw my pictures. I didn't publish them at the time cause I didn't want to embarrase them. I'd hoped they learn a lesson. I guess they didn't- IF it happened again as it appears.

I believe the bug population makes a quick comeback, although one fishery biologist at that time said it would take 2 years to recover.

As I said, I asked MDC about the latest drawdown. They didn't see anything wrong with the process, touting that all agencies worked together well.

I'm not sure where to go with this... I don't think you're going to get MDC to admit anything UNLESS someone has pictures of the damage.

All I can say- next time we'll be watching closely. Unforturately, I left the country just before it happened and didn't have people in place to oversee the event.

Just my opinion as usual, lol

Phil, you said you had pictures of the last time this happened but did not want to embarass the MDC ?

You stated you had hoped they had learned a lesson.

Touting about how well the agencies work together, lol...

Pictures...admiting mistakes...i'm sure someone has some...not knowing where to go with it??

An MDC bioligist stated to you it would take 2 years for recovery...whatever ???

Next time, you and Dano both speak of being watchdogs...

IMO the only lesson learned in this instance was unfortunately by you and yours...you should have and may still be able to run with those pics if they compare to the recent incedent in question. If you have any 'influece', use it my friend for I have none but I do know of plenty of what would be in the public's eye embarassing actions by the MDC. These type incedents seem to just kinda go away without much publicity while at the same time the positive things fetch a ton of attention...go figure.

IMO there should have been a notice in advance of this action and the possible results. How many locals and tourist's who planned their vacations ( which to most are precious ) were pretty much ruined by this if the lake usage was included in their vacation plans? Sure would put a damper on my vacation if Taney was my destination.

Lucky there was not a huge fish kill due to this...decaying vegetation impacts the quality of the water, especially the oxygen levels. O2 levels can crash very quickly due to the decaying vegetation.

IMO if Table Rock dam would have not been able to 'flush' the debris by turning on the water...well, to me thats the only thing that avoided a huge fish kill.

Touting...you saw first hand the results of the 'touting'

It truely is a sad the dismal direction the MDC has taken. I will give credit for the good they do but I also see what really happens, faults, admitting failures...most have a hard time with that one but any and all including agencies should learn from their mistakes...turns a mistake into a learning experience, it's apparant that some show little regard for the results of their actions...the proof is in the puttin.

IMO someone should have been called on this one...was this publicized at all?...if so I for one missed it.

It all goes back to accountability...we all are accoutable for our own actions...why should any person, business, agency, whatever not be held to this standard.

Is there some that this does not apply...kind of appears to be imo.

Responsibility and reason has become tolerance and rights.

I just sit back ( being a poor ole coutry boy ) and watch, give input when and where I can...that's all I know to do not being a wealthy or influential man...but my eyes are wide open and I don't view the world through rose colored glasses...wish I could and I do try...but the reality of all things slaps me in the face often...wake up calls I reckon, lol

sorry for the lengthy post...

brownieman

[Bill Babler]

1.Power generation, ie MONEY!

2.Floud control

3.Recreation

Enough said.