Patoka Lake

[Chance1]

Talked to the Army Corp. office and they said to there knowledge they would try to get the lake to summer pool not back to winter pool. They said it would be a slow process to get it down just the three feet can't let very much out and with the spring rains it may stay above pool for awhile.

[tr186man]

I was just curious if anyone knows for sure why the water lever last year (summer/fall) never got to summer pool? It seem to stay constant around 1.5ft over winter pool all year. Did the Corp/DNR keep that way or was it simply Mother Nature? I do remember some good rainfalls up that way that should have had some impact on the level. As I said, I am just curious.

Thanks.

[HoosierDon]

From what I recall hearing about last years low level is this. The lake was lowered more than normal for maintainence work and we received less than normal rainfall, hence the level never recovered to summer level.

[HoosierDon]

In your opinion what impact will the high water have on the bass????

[NFC]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-06 AT 07:58PM (EST)[/font][p]If I'm not mistaken, the higher the water the better the food source. The shad and minnows will move to cover in the grass that is now under water and I think the bass will follow but with the cold front coming through, the bass may stay deep for the warmer water. It's a toss up on what they'll do.

[Moose1am]

Along with all that new territory that is now underwater the upper reachs of the Old Patoka River and the inlet creeks will be full of warm water (relative to the cold water in the main lake) That is flowing off the warmer land into the lake. This rain will flush lots of new food (earthworms and other aquatic insects) down into the lake out of the overflowing streams. This new food source may not last long. Fish may move up into the small steams or to the point where those streams empty into the back end of coves and then feed for a while and then return to deeper waters.

Regards,

Moose1am

[Moose1am]

Guess I'll have to wait until next spring to see the lake at 353 in April again.

We just had way too much rain is such a short time. I heard that Patoka was over 358 already. I bet it will take a long time to get it back down.

Regards,

Moose1am