Generation/when to place bets...

[JonT]

Is rain generally associated with tailwater generation? Is it common summer practice to keep Beaver lake consistent to open the dam somewhat after a rain?

[DeepDiver75]

There really is no predicting generation at any of the SWPA dams. I'm sure that many others will agree that just when you think you see a trend they'll throw a loop at you. As long as the lake level is above power pool and there is holding capacity down below they will generate whenever they can put power out on the grid. In the summer this means quite frequent generation due to the electric load. I think I'd keep my money in my pocket when it comes to betting on generation probability.

[catman]

Do you have a coin we can flip, there is no pattern.

[Steve Dally]

Hey Jon, Beaver probably is the most consistent/predictable of all the tailwaters, not that that is saying much.

But with only 2 generators SWPA uses Beaver to supply peak demand only.

So that is morning and night in the winter (when people are heating their homes etc) and in summer when the day heats, afternoon or late morning.

So fall (mild temperatures) is usually a good time for low water.

Spring would be the same but the complicating factor is flood levels.

Once Beaver is over the conservation pool 1120' above sea level there is a requirement by the Corp to get it down. So when you have a LOT of rain on a high lake level it will be run. (Of course there has to be capacity in the lakes below, table rock and bull shoals, to carry the extra water). This is why you get more generation during spring rains _ its not the rains per say that make them run its the lake height before it rains and how much new water comes in.

Beaver Tailwater is high at the moment because of the height of Table Rock Lake which is up aroudn the top of the power pool.

Hope this helps

Steve

[JonT]

Thanks for all the info, guys. Tight lines.