Dam release: How do they decide?

[Grumman]

My guess:

1) Shipping- the upper needs to be maintained for the boat traffic coming out of the locks
2) Fossil beds at the museum- I've heard June 1 is the target date to get the upper closed ever year so all the kids, school groups, church groups.....etc that visit the museum have the chance to walk out on the fossil beds.
This year obviously there has been to much water.
3) Electric demand and need for water at the plant
4) I would venture to guess they open the upper to help keep debris away from the hydro plant when it gets up high

5) Is there ever any logic down there??

[Tyme2fish]

1) Shipping- the upper needs to be maintained for the boat traffic coming out of the locks. That, I understand as to how much total dam is being released or kept.

2) Fossil beds at the museum- I've heard June 1 is the target date to get the upper closed ever year so all the kids, school groups, church groups.....etc that visit the museum have the chance to walk out on the fossil beds.
Plausible, but if they can or will do that "for the kids" some sauger fisherman could also use the help in the winter months!!

3) Electric demand and need for water Again, that has to do with total flow and release.

4) I would venture to guess they open the upper to help keep debris away from the hydro plant when it gets up high Plausible, good guess too.

5) Is there ever any logic down there?? . Not that I'm aware of!! Best guess you had

[Drew1233]

From my understanding they really couldn't give two sh**s about the fishing in the river. Fisherman14 told me about all of the dead fish on the river and how there was no water flowing. My first thought was no oxygen in the water. I'm thinking they control the flow because of traffic (barges) energy and the drinking water. Hope this helps

[mhall]

My guess:

1) Shipping- the upper needs to be maintained for the boat traffic coming out of the locks
2) Fossil beds at the museum- I've heard June 1 is the target date to get the upper closed ever year so all the kids, school groups, church groups.....etc that visit the museum have the chance to walk out on the fossil beds.
This year obviously there has been to much water.
3) Electric demand and need for water at the plant
4) I would venture to guess they open the upper to help keep debris away from the hydro plant when it gets up high

5) Is there ever any logic down there??

Bingo......Houston we have a winner!