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Post by golferjeff on Nov 14, 2017 16:38:58 GMT -6
"Many of you by now have noticed a reduction in the flows from spillway. The reduced flows are not a result of the bridge construction as many are attributing to. Last week, as part of scheduled maintenance, the USACE conducted a visual inspection of spillway structure components. This inspection required the flow to be lowered for a brief period. Following the inspection there was an issue with the valve that has prevented further operation. The USACE have measured the current release spillway at approximately 59 cfs.
The USACE is working hard to address the issues and make the repairs in a timely manner, however, given the nature of what needs to be done, repairs will likely take several weeks to complete. Upon placement of the bulkhead, flows from the spillway will be turned off entirely for an undetermined amount of time. Although, it is undetermined it may range from a day to a few days. ODWC will be working closely with the USACE to minimize the amount of time of no releases in order to provide as much water as possible to the spillway reach.
Temperatures in the stream are currently in the mid to upper 60s depending on locations within the spillway. The USACE is willing to spill water through the tainter gates if ODWC requests it.
Given the current information that I have been provided by the USACE, I will not request an additional release from the spillway at this time. Stocking will continue to primarily focus on the lower sections of the trout stream to make up for a lack of stocking in these areas during late summer into fall. I have also asked that the State Park leave the stop logs in place at this time. Although, this may not be popular with many, I believe it is the prudent thing to do under the circumstances.
I still anticipate mitigation fish from the USFWS the first week of December. Stocking of these fish will be focused on Zone II and III. Also of note, we received two truck loads of nice browns from a trade with Wyoming on Oct 17th. I sent one truck to Zone III below re-reg and scattered a few from the other truck in the lower sections of spillway creek with the majority going into upper evening hole.
I will update the group as details evolve."
Respectfully,
Don Groom
Region Fisheries Supervisor
ODWC
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Post by golferjeff on Nov 14, 2017 16:51:33 GMT -6
So the USACE screwed it up again.... no shocker there. Here's an idea, let's shut the water off when the trout are spawning. Why do fish need water anyway?
Looks like stop logs are staying in... that sucks. The lack of water is a bigger problem though. We may be sight casting to dying fish. Trout camp may be in ZoneIII.
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Post by hankinsfly on Nov 14, 2017 16:56:40 GMT -6
Lots of questions as to the fishing in a few weeks at Trout Camp. One thing is for certain, though, we will have a good time!
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Post by hankinsfly on Nov 14, 2017 17:07:07 GMT -6
I don't understand why ODWC wouldn't take some extra release though if it's an option.
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Post by fwood on Nov 14, 2017 17:52:34 GMT -6
Not sounding good to me. No flow at all into the spillway area doesn't sound good even for one day.
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Post by jonbo on Nov 14, 2017 18:02:08 GMT -6
One thing has been made obvious since the 2015 floods. For the USACE: trout fishery = low priority.
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Post by slim on Nov 14, 2017 18:23:00 GMT -6
Will keep my expections this is going to work as low as possible so I’m not disappointed.
In the meantime, Mr. Groom is going to need support
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Post by mirvc17 on Nov 14, 2017 18:48:18 GMT -6
Bummer, but can't say I'm surprised. Typical government explanation. I don't understand why he won't request additional flow, especially with spawning fish.
Let's hope the fish sense the water change and make it to deeper/safer areas. One thing that has kept happening with all of these foul ups and disasters is the fish continue to amaze me when it comes to survival.
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Post by mirvc17 on Nov 14, 2017 18:49:23 GMT -6
Woa check out my post count...  |
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Post by mirvc17 on Nov 14, 2017 18:49:53 GMT -6
Sorry, I just had to do it here... One-thousand! Yeehaw!
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Post by turfdawg on Nov 14, 2017 18:50:54 GMT -6
does anyone know when they will shut it off completely?
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Post by fvanek on Nov 14, 2017 20:08:30 GMT -6
does anyone know when they will shut it off completely? ODWC + USACE = The worst possible time. |
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Post by breeden3 on Nov 14, 2017 20:08:33 GMT -6
It is really saddening to once again have to go through something potentially catastrophic. The river just can't catch a break. Like always, it will rebound though. We will just have to hope for the best.
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Post by greenman on Nov 14, 2017 21:31:50 GMT -6
The bad thing about shutting down flows at this time of the year is upcoming rains. How will this affect the flood pools and are we looking to have HEAVY flows again right after the USACE complete their work on the spillway??
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Post by danimal on Nov 14, 2017 21:46:55 GMT -6
You have got to be freaking kidding me.. wow...
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Post by Fenwick on Nov 14, 2017 22:19:19 GMT -6
Like Peter says, the river just can't catch a break. Wouldn't it best to NOT mention the dry day(s) so that those who are less than our ranks won't know when to go wild dashing up and down the rocks netting and scooping up trout caught in shallow pockets and pools along the Spillway? "Quick! Run back to the truck and git me another bucket Bubba! This one's full! I never seen so many trout! We're gonna have us a big ol' fry tonight!" Then picture the rod n' reel crowd in Zone 2 at that time.
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Post by darrelln09 on Nov 14, 2017 22:23:30 GMT -6
If the spillway gates are closed for repairs, can they not release water from the other gates? Doesn’t the flow through that set of gates join up with flow from the spillway right above The Bluffs? It wouldn’t stop Bubba in Spillway Creek but at least it would provide flow through Evening Hole and below that.
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Post by danimal on Nov 14, 2017 22:44:33 GMT -6
If the spillway gates are closed for repairs, can they not release water from the other gates? Doesn’t the flow through that set of gates join up with flow from the spillway right above The Bluffs? It wouldn’t stop Bubba in Spillway Creek but at least it would provide flow through Evening Hole and below that. No sir, doesn't get any additional flow until it meets up with the powerhouse inlet a short distance below the swim beach bridge.
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Post by darrelln09 on Nov 15, 2017 0:11:29 GMT -6
So on the park map, what is that creek-looking “stream” that runs from the Dam to just below Cold Hole?
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Post by turfdawg on Nov 15, 2017 5:41:39 GMT -6
So on the park map, what is that creek-looking “stream” that runs from the Dam to just below Cold Hole? The Devils Backbone. It’s just swamp, frog and snake water that backs up from the river. |
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Post by ranger1965 on Nov 15, 2017 6:13:57 GMT -6
So on the park map, what is that creek-looking “stream” that runs from the Dam to just below Cold Hole? I've always understood that to be the original LMF river bed. The dam was built and water outlet was diverted to the power plant. Spillway creek was just a feeder creek to the river. |
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Post by darrelln09 on Nov 15, 2017 6:27:20 GMT -6
Thanks for the info and the history lesson! The Tenkiller Dam is different. Water can be released from both sets of gates as well as through the powerhouse. First the main outlet meets up with the powerhouse tailwater, then the “spillway creek” joins in. There it seems like the spillway is rarely used though.
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Post by kovaku on Nov 15, 2017 8:00:11 GMT -6
This is a bummer for me. I have never been trout fishing before but I'm taking my first fly fishing trip up to Cherokee, NC with a buddy I work with the last week of November. Living in Louisiana the closest place I can find to fly fish is LMFR. I was getting all excited about being able to drive up and make a day trip out of fishing when I could. Does this mean that the trout fishing is going to be nonexistent until the valve is repaired?
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Post by danimal on Nov 15, 2017 9:05:30 GMT -6
This is a bummer for me. I have never been trout fishing before but I'm taking my first fly fishing trip up to Cherokee, NC with a buddy I work with the last week of November. Living in Louisiana the closest place I can find to fly fish is LMFR. I was getting all excited about being able to drive up and make a day trip out of fishing when I could. Does this mean that the trout fishing is going to be nonexistent until the valve is repaired? Little Missouri River above and below Lake Greeson in Arkansas would be another option for you. |
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Post by danimal on Nov 15, 2017 9:06:41 GMT -6
So on the park map, what is that creek-looking “stream” that runs from the Dam to just below Cold Hole? I've always understood that to be the original LMF river bed. The dam was built and water outlet was diverted to the power plant. Spillway creek was just a feeder creek to the river. Correct, that's the old river channel.
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