The Smart Report: Go Jump in the Lake

Freedom — July 28, 2009 — So far most of the summer has been cool and wet. Water level has been at or above plan since May. At times it was a foot or more over plan. In early July the level reached 2.5 feet over plan and did not get back to plan until nine days ago on the 18th.

During this decline the state Dam Authority was concerned that the level would go below plan, so they did a partial closure of the dam on July 13, 15 and 17. Then the rain returned and they did a partial opening on July 21 and then a complete opening of all five-flood gates last Friday for a return to the flow rate of 11 days earlier.

Net result today is that the level came up last Friday and Saturday and is approximately nine inches above plan.

I recorded 2.5” of rain late last week. The big storm we were warned about yesterday did not get this far north. If the rain predicted for this week is light, the level should crest soon and then return to normal early in August.

Because of the high water, wave action and wakes from powerboats there has been much debris floating near shore and a significant decline in water clarity.

As for temperature, the water next to my dock hit 76 late yesterday. This is the highest reading so far this summer. Most readings have been 70–72 degrees.

The bottom line is: “GO JUMP IN THE LAKE.” Winter is not that far away.

5 Comments

  1. Don Macleod 15 years ago July 28, 2009

    With the added partially submerged junk in the water and the accelerated erosion risk to the shoreline would it be unreasonable too suggest reduced wake operations for times when the lake level exceeds some defined measure above plan?

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  2. bob roy 15 years ago July 28, 2009

    having sent a similar message two weeks ago, I urge reduced wake during high water It would also help for boaters to understand “headway speed” it is not going slower than full speed too many people are driving near shore without being on their bow wave , thereby creating the largest wake possible

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  3. Diane C 15 years ago July 28, 2009

    The amount of property damage and shoreline damage has definitely increased. We’ve nearly lost our dock twice and have very little sand on our beach. Higher water seems to be an excuse for boaters to expand their range regardless of speed.

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  4. Chris 15 years ago July 28, 2009

    I am glad others recognize the increased shoreline damage caused by the recent high water on the lake & strongly feel there should be mandated wake / speed restrictions during high water periods. I wish boaters would be conscientious and slow down when the know their wake is causing a problem, or when they get close to shore.., but that raises another point not relevant to this topic..
    Enjoy the summer I think it has arrived

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  5. eric 15 years ago July 28, 2009

    it was a tough situation because its hard to tell people during the 4th of july to only go headway speed all day when everyone has been waiting to even use the lake, on the other hand I understand people pay alot of money to have lake front property and when it gets damaged it must upset them. but maybe we wont need to worry about this the rest of the summer…. see you at the sandbar!

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