Current on Ky lake and Barkley?

[Stevens]

I know this has been asked before but i cant find the thread so.. When those bass get on the ledges, how much current does it take to effect the bass in different areas of the lake? How much current does it take to turn on the bass near the dam compared to bass half way down the lakes and so on.. Thanks in advance for any help

[Trophyhunter8]

If I remember, I think 50,000 cfs is where Dave says it starts to get good

[Dave Stewart]

We used to get a lot more current on the lakes in the summer than we now do....no doubt due to the fact that many factories in the area the TVA serves with power have shut their doors and moved operations out of the area. Used to be that I did not consider current a factor until we had at least 50,000 cfs. I have noticed over the past couple of years that around 30,000 now seems to increase the feeding activity on the ledges. I believe the fish get conditioned to react to the enviroment they live in and the fish are now adjusting to the current flows we now average vs what they used to be.

As far as which areas are affected....obviously when current is generated it affects the fish closest to the dam first....then travels upriver....there are also areas along the way where the channel narrows such as around bridges etc and this will increase the effects of the current in these areas somewhat more than wider areas...liken it to the water coming out of your garden hose....when flowing liquids go thru a smaller diameter like the funnel in the handle on garden hose the pressure increases.