Water flow

[DoneObject]

Hello everyone. New member here. Just wanted to say hi and ask a question as well. So I'm new to the Tennessee river system and open water fishing. I understand that water flow on chickamauga can make a big difference in the bite. I found a TVA app for my phone and thought that would help me know when their pulling water and how much. I've been watching the app for several weeks now. According to the app, They have been running two or more generators everyday. Starting to doubt the info on the app. Just not sure if I'm interpreting the info right. So I'm wondering whats the best source for the water flow on chickamauga. Thanks for any replies guys, and hope to meet y'all sometime

 

[finbully]

The app you have is the best information. Why do you doubt it?

 

[richg99]

I know very little about how the water flow actually affects the fishing so I will be watching this thread closely. I do, however, remember fishing some mats last Fall.

The dam's generators were running XX miles or so upstream. The mats were moving; my boat was moving; .....it was surreal to this saltwater flats kind of guy. richg99

 

[BRamsey]

I doubt the app sometimes too when it says they are moving 25k to 30k cfs all day long as you are fishing ledges along the main river channel and can't tell that the water is moving at all. How many cfs does it take to be noticable?

 

[rsimms]

The App is perfectly accurate, to a degree. "2 or more" is as detailed as they ever get on specific generators at Chickamauga Dam. You have to learn to watch the "Daily Average Outflow," and monitor specific hourly patterns over a period of time to learn how to interpret the data. There's a learning curve, but it's possible. It benefits me GREATLY, as I fish primarily in the tailwaters.

However, how generation schedules impact water flow upstream, in the lake, is a different matter. There are many dynamics and variables at play. How far are you from the Dam? If you're a mile upstream from the Dam, you'll see changes quickly. If you're 20 miles upstream, not so much.

What are the releases at upstream Dams (Watts Bar, Apalachia, Ocoee #1)? And what time are those releases? [FYI, impact of those releases come hours, or even days afterward.] Has a huge thunderstorm crossed Wolftever Creek added a little "natural flow" there?

It's a complicated jigsaw puzzle and I can't begin to tell you how to interpret it lakeside. I can tell you that the limited information provided on the TVA App is accurate. But again, there's a learning curve to figure out how to interpret it for your specific fishing situation. It must often be based upon careful observation and correlation over several months, if not years.

 

[porthos33]

^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^ Also I've noticed current in a narrow area of the lake and then gone down river a couple miles and I was literally floating back up stream in a much wider area! Kinda like being below chick dam. Tons of current at the generators and close to the golf course the south wind completely kills the drift!

 

[DoneObject]

Thank you. Great replies.