White River\North Fork Water Generation

[Sean P]

OK, I need some help!  I feel stupid for having to ask but I was hoping to get a better understanding of reading the water generation for the White River and the North Fork. 

I will be down later in March and I usually Kayak and then wade certain sections while Kayaking if water generation allows.  This trip though I wont have my kayaks, and I will be wading a few days before and after a two day guided trip on the white.  So I was hoping to have a better understanding of the water generation schedule along with, if I know its up and moving to fast to wade I can move to another section of the river or say head to Crooked Creek (I will add if someone has another river that I can fish if water generation is up I would be up  for the suggestion.  Not asking for spots just public access to rivers that would be good for trout and Smallies.

I know that the North Fork is easier to wade then the White.  That being said I would like to have a better understanding of the water generation and how to read the schedule.

I'm assuming the number that I want to look at is the "CFS"?  If so, what is a good range to look at to determine if I will be able to wade safely both the white river and the North Fork.  If its not the CFS that I need to look at what should I be looking at and is there a way to know about how many generators are actually running?

Thanks! 

 

[dpitt]

You are correct in your desire to understand generation it's key to fishing the White and Taneycomo for safety and good results. I mostly fish Taney, so going to let others chime in on best approach to the white.  But, here's a free app that will make it easier to see current and scheduled generation. 

Just search for CFSWater in the app stores. 

 

 

[Sean P]

Thanks Dpitt!  I did download this app but I'm assuming that in this app where it states "Units" that is the number of units currently running correct?  If so that should help for sure.  Thanks.  that being said they can release water with out a generator running correct?  If so that could be where my CFS come in to play correct? 

22 hours ago, dpitt said:

You are correct in your desire to understand generation it's key to fishing the White and Taneycomo for safety and good results. I mostly fish Taney, so going to let others chime in on best approach to the white.  But, here's a free app that will make it easier to see current and scheduled generation. 

Just search for CFSWater in the app stores. 

 

 

 

[dpitt]

Each unit produces a set amount of MHW Units this is what the schedule reports. (how much power they plan on producing for that hour).  running units produc CFS mhw.  I think of  units as a turbine that is opened to accept pushed up water that turns the turbines, the total outflow is reported as CFS.     

So you can take the current generation (units or mhw) and divide by CFS to get a feel for how much CFS is scheduled to be produced.

At  Taney,  0 mwh means 20 cfs wil be released and this when you can freely and safely wade up at the dam at Taney.  A half unit you can wad a little, much more than that, no mas.      The white has a minimum release of 7 mhw can't remember the CFS, but is wadable at the dam a other places. Hopefully some folks will chime in, on this post about the white,  at minimum flow for both the white and Norfork there are mutliple places to wade, not sure where to wade if they have a half unit or more running.  Your guides should give you some insight on this. 

 

 

 

[Sean P]

Thanks for for the explanation dpitt! 

[gotmuddy]

Min flow is the best thing to happen to the river ever.  Its good for the fish, good for boaters(with a jet), and waders.  lately they have been sticking more or less to projected discharge from the SWPA page.