Lake Whitney Dam

[Marion]

I drove across the Lake Whitney Dam earlier today and the sulfer smell was pretty strong. I smell it nearly every time I cross it.

Where does it come from?

[BosqueTech]

Smell it every weekend. Fish me thinks.

[KIETHSTONE]

The buzzards smell it also. It seems each time I cross I see them.

[12 point]

Yeah, I remember the first year that I experienced that smell at Whitney. It appears to get stronger as the weather heats up. Read somewhere that it's common at power generating dams, but I'm curious if it's just normal around any dam with a certain depth of water.

[Texas Grown]

That smell comes from the bottom of the lake where all the decay is. It is stronger in the summer months because of the bacteria that consumes the decaying matter. When a gate is opened, or a turbine is used, the water comes from the bottom most portion of the depths where the decay is. If you ever go diving there, or in other deep water lakes. you will notice this in the deeper ones. During the winter months, the water is slightly clearer due to less growth and decay. and less smell then too. Most divers prefer the cooler months due to better water clarity.

[Smokeater]

Yep..what he said. We've always been told it's cuz the lake is "turning over"...