RAINS COMING DOWN BRING KERR LAKE LEVEL UP!
Kerr Lake levels have been improving due to upstream rainfall. Today’s lake level was reported at 302 feet above sea level or two feet above normal pool. Philpott has risen about 7 ft and is currently about 1.2 ft below guide curve and still rising slightly. With continued reduced generation next week, Philpott is expected to reach guide curve next week.”
At the end of the week, the US Army Corps of Engineers sent information to Kerr Lake Park Watch about dramatic increases that were discussed and forecast in a meeting of stakeholders earlier in the week.
“Drought conditions/operations at John H Kerr were dramatically overcome this week, with upwards of 5” of rain across Kerr’s watershed. As a result we’re currently seeing inflows greater than 50,000 cfs into the lake. As of noon today, Kerr lake level was 298.6 ft, up over 5.5 ft from a week ago and 3 ft ABOVE our current guide curve elevation of 295.5 ft. Lake levels were expected to peak near 303-303.5 next week based on current inflow forecasts, so flood operations are being initiated tomorrow which should bring lake levels back down near 300 by next Friday (which is the bottom of Kerr’s flood pool). Weekly outflow from Kerr and Roanoke Rapids should average about 14,000 cfs from Saturday (tomorrow) through next Friday, but daily average outflows will vary. Releases beyond next Friday will be determined next week, but do anticipate some additional triton below elevation 300.
It should be noted and noticed that in that same forecast statement and discussions, Corps scientists issued fears about going right back to a dry period.
KLPW has urged the Corps to use great care and discretion in releasing waters downstream or worrying about power generation at this point.
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The Corps projections shows that the lake level will be below 300 soon. Are they expecting more heavy rain in the next several weeks or is this beginning to be a repeat of last year?
Is there a problem of maintaining a lake level of 302 – 304 over the next several months and then start dropping the level in spring and trying to maintain a level of 299 – 298 through Labor day.
For the past several years, the water level management has not being friendly to recreational users. It appears that the Corps is intent on generating as much electricity as possible. Some of these funds from prower generation should be put back into the recreational areas for upgrades and repairs.