So, what is KY lake going to do with all this water :)

[GeoFisher]

I'm expecting it will be up and a little stained..........

Dave Stewart, what do ya think?

Later,

Geo

[Dave Stewart]

George

I expect the water to be stained for sure. The lake levels are down near winter pool right now with gates open at both dams pushing a lot of water through. Most of the heavy snow was in Ky and north Tn with rain further south. Typically if the lake levels are going to rise it would be more due to the TVA holding water back to keep from adding to floods on the Ohio River and Mississippi River down stream. Right now the levels on these rivers are below flood stage with only a few pools projecting some minor flooding over the next few days....as long as this continues I do not expect levels to change much on the lakes over the next few days. Yes we did get a lot of snow and it will be melting this week, but the rule of thumb is that 10 inches of snow is equivalent to one inch of rain so we are only talking about the equivalent of a couple of inches of rain running off when the snow melts. As long as the Ohio and Mississippi rivers downsteam of here can handle it...I would expect the TVA to continue to push this runoff through the dams here at the lakes. I could be wrong and projections can change but this is my best guess. You can monitor the Ohio and Mississippi river levels downstream from us on the NWS Paducah website.

Dave

[dabassking]

Mr. Stewart, you are the MAN! I, like many on this site, have a trip to KY lake soon and the amount of HONEST information you give out is awesome and helps us all out more than you know. On behalf of all of us, thanks!

[GeoFisher]

George

I expect the water to be stained for sure. The lake levels are down near winter pool right now with gates open at both dams pushing a lot of water through. Most of the heavy snow was in Ky and north Tn with rain further south. Typically if the lake levels are going to rise it would be more due to the TVA holding water back to keep from adding to floods on the Ohio River and Mississippi River down stream. Right now the levels on these rivers are below flood stage with only a few pools projecting some minor flooding over the next few days....as long as this continues I do not expect levels to change much on the lakes over the next few days. Yes we did get a lot of snow and it will be melting this week, but the rule of thumb is that 10 inches of snow is equivalent to one inch of rain so we are only talking about the equivalent of a couple of inches of rain running off when the snow melts. As long as the Ohio and Mississippi rivers downsteam of here can handle it...I would expect the TVA to continue to push this runoff through the dams here at the lakes. I could be wrong and projections can change but this is my best guess. You can monitor the Ohio and Mississippi river levels downstream from us on the NWS Paducah website.

Dave

Hey......Much, MUCH thanks.......

I'm definitely still planning on a trip come hell or............high water. . I sure hope it is only high water......

Later,

Geo

[Dave Stewart]

Mr. Stewart, you are the MAN! I, like many on this site, have a trip to KY lake soon and the amount of HONEST information you give out is awesome and helps us all out more than you know. On behalf of all of us, thanks!

I am humbled by your kind words....thank you.

Dave

[kc]

Dave,

What about water temps? Hancock is showing 40 which is quite cold for a week into March. Plus the snow melt isn't going to help water temps this week as well. I suspect any fish that may be active will be oriented to the main lake. Are you see any activity on the big lakes yet? Or maybe a better question is has anyone been out to speak of? Like Geo I have cabin fever something fierce and may have a chance to get away next weekend but I have a feeling the fish are not ready and everything is pushed back 2 to 3 weeks this year. Normally things are getting started about now.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. And I second the motion on "you are the main"!

kc

[dabassking]

It looks like the area is going to get some rain towards the end of the week. Maybe that will help the water temps come up a bit.

[Dave Stewart]

It looks like the area is going to get some rain towards the end of the week. Maybe that will help the water temps come up a bit.

The water is cold for sure and we are running about 11 degrees below normal. I have not received any reports this past week because all the ramps were closed with ice and snow. I have not been out yet but will be getting out this week. A couple of ramps were cleared yesterday and a few boats are out there this weekend but not many. Last reports I had was last weekend and tough bite was reported. I expect this will continue until it warms up some....hopefully the water will warm up some this week..I expect it will. We are supposed to get quite a bit of rain on Tuesday and more later in the week.this should clear the ice in the creeks and also clear the snow and ice off the ramps....won't do much for the water color though.

Dave

[mhall]

Good stuff guys the only thing I might add is there a lot of raining coming this week. Many locations and most of Kentucky could be looking at 1 to as much as 3 inches plus of rain by Saturday morning just throwing that out there fellas not trying to be a debbie downer just a heads up is all..