CHick Dam, off limits and how to get to turbines now

[NRG]

Hey Im sure someone has asked this b4 .. but I couldn't find it .. I was up at the dam for a little bit b4 going home yesterday .. I havent been down there since work began on the lock. There is a Big sign that says area is off limits only enter with permission of lock master on the first barge tie up as you enter the lock area, also there are buoys on the other side of the big rip rap mound that say are off limits to boats .

Which set of bridge pilings do I want to avoid to get to the turbines, and are they really serious about no boats in the marked areas ? Has any one been fined for being in the marked areas, or is it just to scare off people ?

 

[TAzGa]

I've been wondering the same thing .... I used to always run to the dam under the bridge in the channel, then cut over towards the spillways, staying left of the rockpile, around it, then straight across. I've heard that there are some "lower-unit-eating" monsters under that railroad bridge and I don't have a clue if there are other spots of interest other than that rockpile in front of the spillways. I do know that there are some pieces of huge concrete rubble next to the locks on the spillway side, just under the surface... I idled over it one day and skeered me to death.

TAz

 

[Dropshot]

I noticed it yesterday NRG, and I decided to avoid it at the time...

 

[Guest]

I have been up near the dam twice in the past week and have seen several boats at the turbines both times. Rsimms can enlighten you on the hazards I am sure.

 

[SpurHunter]

When I locked through the other day, the lock-master gave me some instructions, and made sure to mention the "no boat" section. He said no body listens, and fishes it anyway, but said please avoid it. Yea right.
If I think there are fish there, and they are not working in the water, I am going to fish it.

 

[drumking]

If you want to get to the turbines and avoid the rockpile that will eat your prop up, then by all means do not go between the first 2 bridge pilings just right of the new rip-rap wall. Water there is about 6 inches over the rockpile and it is shallow for several yards downstream. You can safely go between the pilings about mid-way across without any trouble.

 

[akoutdoors]

i talked to a twra officer about two weeks ago and i was told you can fish all of the tailwaters up to the locks just not to fish in the locks or behind the turbines, he could have been mistaken...thats all the info i got.