[Cliff Hilbert]

Does anyone have any idea when the lake levels in Arkansas will be down enough for us wade fishers? On the White they are running 6-8 generators 24/7, and on the Norfolk they are running 2 generators from 6:am - 9:00 pm. I'm getting withdrawal pains from not being able to get there.

[Flyman]

Cliff, you may see a few months of this if it keeps raining and keeps the lakes full. You might try Beavers Bend, Oklahoma. You can fish the spillway run and not worry about generation. Visit http://www.beaversbend.com/

[dougm]

Cliff:

I’ve asked a few guides in that area to respond to your question. Hopefully you'll get some more expert opinions real soon. You may also check out the White River Web Site at http://www.whiteriver.net/index.asp :lol: :lol:

[dougm]

OK, THE DEAL WITH WATER FLOWS RATES AMOUNTS TO A NUMBER OF THINGS WHICH INCLUDE.
DEMAND FOR POWER.
THE LEVEL OF WATER IN THE LAKES
HOW HIGH WATER LEVELS ARE IN THE LOWER LYING AREAS OF THE STATE. WHICH WOULD DETERMINE IF WATER RELEASE CAN BE HIGH OR LOW.
THE RECENT RAIN FALLS WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED AT THAT END.

AS YOU SAY AS OF NOW WE HAVE 8 ON THE WHITE AND 2 ON THE NORFORK. I AM NOT ABLE TO TELL YOU WHEN THAT SITUATION MAY CHANGE AT THIS TIME.
YOU CAN ACCESS INFORMATION CURRENT AT 870 431 5311.
YOU CAN EXPECT AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR FOR A HIGH DEMAND FOR POWER.
FOR OUR GUIDE ACTIVITY WE HAVE NO CHOICEBUT TO KEEP UP WITH CURRENT GENERATION TRENDS ABD DETERMINE LOCATIONS TO FISH BASED ON THAT INFORMATION.

[Fish Bones]

Thanks for the reply Davy... btw Davy Wotton is one of the best fly fishing guides in Arkansas and specializes on the White. He also offers world class fly fishing instruction… You might need that Cliff.

Check out his web site at http://www.davywotton.com/

[dougm]

YOU MIGHT ALSO TRY FOR FURTHER INFO VIA.

GENINFO@SWPA.GOV.

THERE IS ALSO A WEB SITE AVAILABLE FOR SCHEDULES.

WWW.DAVYWOTTON.COM

[Cliff Hilbert]

"You might need that Cliff" - You know that you'll pay for that remark Steve. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Julie Raines]

Hi, Cliff.
As you've already heard, there are many factors that influence flow conditions on the White & North Fork Rivers. My best advice is to look for short term trends. But, let me do a little explaining first... :-)

For example - in Bull Shoals Lake, 654 feet is what is referred to as "top of power pool". When the lake level is above it, the Corps of Engineers is responsible for getting the lake down to that level as they see fit.

From 654 down to 628.5 is the "power pool". Southwest Power then has their finger on the button, and for the most part, can do as they see fit.
As a general rule, less water is run when you're at 654 or below, because SWPA maximizes their profit by selling primarily "peak demand power".

Because the Southwest power grid covers such a large section of the country, they can pretty much sit back until someone has a problem somewhere, and then SWPA says, "OK, we'll sell you power - but it's going to cost you..." :-)

In other words, they don't want to run it just to run it on a daily basis. This is why typically there is less water run when the lake level is at or below 654, because SWPA is in charge of it then.

Below 628.5 is "conservation pool". We'd be in a pretty serious drought to see levels that low. If we did, they would not generate at all. I don't know how long it's been (if ever?) since the lake's been that low.

First, go to our website where we've dedicated an entire web page to this subject - http://www.hisplaceresort.net/river.htm and take a look at how to interpret the information that is available.

Second, start watching it on a daily basis, or every few days. For example, if you were watching right now, you'd see a lake level of 663, substantially up from 654, and constant water running at near capacity.
Only if there is trouble downstream, like excessive rain that causes the Newport guage to rise for example, would they be inclined to shut off the water. What you are observing is a short term trend. When they get around 654, the trend will change.

I understand being bummed about no wade access. I love to wade, too. However, I encourage you to consider that great trout waters out west do not have wade fishing either, and it certainly doesn't keep them from fly fishing!

Nor does it have to discourage you, if you are willing to try something new. We have excellent fly fishing guides that can give you a great trip at any water level, at a price where you can still afford to put your children through college... :-) Yes, you'll fish from a boat. Yes, you'll use different techniques and different flies. And yes, you'll catch fish!

Have a great day! Call me @ 866-435-6535 if you ever want to chat...

Julie

[Fish Bones]

Thanks Julie!!!

Great response and explanation!!!

Steve

[Cliff Hilbert]

Thanks for the great info Julie!