Why do lakes release water......

[brymor31]

To lower the level to 'normal'? Why not a keep higher level cuz they know in the summer were not going to get much rain and the lake levels will drop.

I'm sure there is probably an engineering answer here but makes sense to me to not release all that extra water.

[cosmiccowboy]

Canyon Lake spillway, summer flood (July) of 2002.



It flooded out everyone all the way to the coast.

[wlgorman]

That would have been a WILD float....

[Dale Moser]

They have to anticipate spring rains, whether they happen or not.

[KHoes203]

There are different levels to a lake you got your conservation pool, flood pool, and sediment. They keep the water that they want but try there best to keep it in the conservation pool. Some other lakes release water for down stream demand such as rice farmers. Primary rights are taken care of first. Also they have to keep some water down stream for the bays and estuaries on the coast. If you want the bays to be as good as they are they need fresh water in them!

[Goldeneagle]

So Dallas only has to be on Level 1 restrictions while we are on Level 3.

[jimmy o]

Because people own the water rights down stream like citys and other water providers. Thats why most lakes this last summer still relaesed water all summer even though they were going dry.

[Coach W]

Alot of it has to do with your lake isnt the only one on the same river.... If you bogart all the water they dont get any down stream...

Dont Bogart that water my friend..... pass it over to me.

[Mojo]

I think it was early last year when they had to actually release water from Falcon Lake...Falcon State Park was under water. HD and I went kayakbassbustin' either before or after can't remember but we were paddlin' over areas we had to go around when previously there due to mesquites...we were cruizing over the top of them when we went cause the water was so high...very cool...also took the family to the dam to watch the release...the whole dam was shakin' and vibratin' from all that water rushin' down the Rio Grand...it was somethin' else...3 and 4 foot grass carp jumpin' over the tops of the flood gates to only land on the other side of an 60mph flow...amazing to see...

[Dale Moser]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Yv7ov5yqw&feature=endscreen&NR=1"]Possum Kingdom Dam S.W.I.M. Road Tip 7/1/7 - YouTube[/ame]

Possum Kingdom '07, the Brazos is usually about 30 yards across below the dam. The highway 16 bridge is under water in the distance there.

[unclefish]

Some lakes are designated as flood control lakes and others are designated for water storage (drinking water). Flood control lakes will keep more water stored than full pool. Water storage only lakes usually start releasing right away.

Some are both but the flood control portion usually takes precedent (like Lake Somerville right now).

[Choppa311]

power generation for electrical power is why sam rayburn lets out water.

[chief262]

Hydro-generators.

[Deer Tracks]

Canyon Lake spillway, summer flood (July) of 2002.



It flooded out everyone all the way to the coast.

Cosmiccowboy, when I was at Southwest Tx we took a field trip in to the gorge at canyon dam. The amount of solid rock removed by the flood is incredible.

Dams are built for either flood management, water supply or hydroelectric generation. All of which are reasons water must occasionally be released.

[CletusBodeen]

Possum Kingdom Dam S.W.I.M. Road Tip 7/1/7 - YouTube

Possum Kingdom '07, the Brazos is usually about 30 yards across below the dam. The highway 16 bridge is under water in the distance there.

I have some pics of PK at about the same time.