December Rain Report
Here's a little bit about what is going on around the White River System after the persistent rain we have received.
"A release of 91,150 cubic feet per second is being made from Beaver, which is the second largest release of record. The lake level elevation is 1,131.6 feet with 116 percent of its flood capacity in use. The lake continues to rise and is expected to crest today near 1,132.5 feet. All seven spillway gates are open nine and one-half feet." (Army Corp)
"This morning ten spillway gates were opened four and one-half feet releasing 58,500 cubic feet per second in addition to the 8,500 c.f.s. being release through the turbine generators. The total release is 67,000 c.f.s. The lake is expected tourist tomorrow between 935 and 936 feet above sea level. Hourly inflows into the lake are currently 300,000 c.f.s." (Army Corps)
If we don't receive any more rain, the Corps says Bull Shoals Lake will crest at 686 feet by mid January, 9 feet below the top of the 695 foot flood pool.
With flows exceeding 140,000 cfs below the confluence of the Norfork and the White at Calico Rock, much of the Norfork Tailwater is backed up with water from the lower White. This is, in part, due to the 25,000 cvs flows from Crooked Creek (which crested at 33.59 feet and has already dropped back to 25.85 feet), and 97,000 cfs flows from the Buffalo River (which crested at 45.52 feet and has dropped back to42.99 feet).
It looks like a high water winter and at least the early part of the spring season will have higher flows, depending on how much precipitation we receive in the next several months. Nevertheless, the fishery will grow stronger as it always does in high water periods, feeding the fish heavily, and also reducing a lot of fishing pressure. Just remember, high water is not a bad thing, only different and requires different techniques. If you are wanting to learn how to fly fish in high water conditions, nows the time to give us a call!
(870)-421-8960
Flood gate releases from Beaver Lake Dam- Brock Dixon