Part of it may be how much rain we have had the last two springs. Nickajack can release more water than Chickamauga. What happens is when the water goes through the river gorge it is restricted because it is so narrow and it backs up on the upper end of Nickajack. From around Mullins Cove down it drops the bottom out of it. I agree I hate showing up and a lot of the places I like to fish in spring are almost dry.