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Cold Water Fishing Reports => Miscellaneous Cold Water Rivers Streams and Springs => Elk River => Topic started by: David L. Darnell on September 08, 2008, 06:06:03 PM

Title: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: David L. Darnell on September 08, 2008, 06:06:03 PM

Shiloh Bridge, Tuckers Creek Rd.    72.5,     4:15pm

Old Dam Ford                                  69.9,    4:35pm

Farris Creek                                    65.9,     5:02pm

Dam                                                57.3,     5:13

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: czkid on September 08, 2008, 08:15:18 PM

Most agree that once temps hit about 68 degrees you start having problems.  I suspect your measurements are surface or near surface temps, so that with any depth they might be slightly cooler.  Even at that, we're above critical temps at Old Dam Ford, especially without any mixing to provide oxygenation.

Ahhhhhhhhh!!! TVA..........

Ralph

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: David L. Darnell on September 08, 2008, 08:17:39 PM

digital probe, 4" deep

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: MikeA on September 09, 2008, 08:25:01 AM

Wow I didn't think it was that far to Old Ford. Is there alot of warm feeder creeks or is TVA just not letting water out?

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: David L. Darnell on September 09, 2008, 08:41:47 AM

just shy of 14 river miles from Tims Ford Dam to Old Dam  Ford.

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: Luke Warmwater on September 09, 2008, 11:04:52 AM

Here's some info to compare on the water temps. We were at the Elk on 8/16 and took these temps:
 
Farris Creek                                    62,     7:30 pm

Dam                                                58,     8:30 am

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: David L. Darnell on September 10, 2008, 04:06:36 PM

Farris Creek at 1:30pm

61.9

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: czkid on September 10, 2008, 07:46:48 PM

I fished Farris Creek Bridge area this AM and found the fish lethargic.  Caught about 4 or 5 before I headed up to the dam, but it was like they were doing me a favor to put in any action at all.  Sort of like reeling in pond scum.

The fish at the dam weren't much better... just sort of a slow day all around.  The temps that I took today tally with yours.

Ralph

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: bd on September 11, 2008, 09:10:00 AM

I don't know the Elk well, but someone had told me that late summer temps occasionally got to critical levels at Old Dam Ford even before the recent changes.  Anyone have any information on that?

bd

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: czkid on September 11, 2008, 01:37:04 PM

Totally dependent on the amount of generation.

Ralph

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: wil2hike on September 19, 2008, 07:57:00 AM

Any current reports on temps with running just the 200 cfs?

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: czkid on September 19, 2008, 02:20:51 PM

Inching upwards.... I haven't been up this week due to other commitments, but the cooler weather has probably helped the temps, but not the snot.

Ralph

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: David L. Darnell on September 19, 2008, 08:22:14 PM

went to the meeting last night, look for as little generation as possible, 200 cfs give or take a little, will tweak it for 2 to 3 years before they get it right.

Did learn that Tims Ford Dam has 4 ways to release water out of the reservoir.

Title: Re: Elk River water temps, 09/08/08
Post by: wil2hike on September 20, 2008, 02:23:16 PM

What did they say that means for the trout?  Thanks