On Tillery, supposedly a law/rule every 5 years drop it for dam maintenance.
On Tillery, supposedly a law/rule every 5 years drop it for dam maintenance.
2B576211
The water level at Wylie is unintended. A combination of factors have caused it. (Norman too I suppose). A month or so they took the hydro generators off line at Lookout Shoals for maintenance. (The lake above Norman) This slowed down the inflow into Norman, and below for a few days. I also suspect they "leaned on" the generators down stream for additional electricity due to Lookout Shoals hydro being off line. The recent dry weather happened about this time, and compounded the low water levels.
This is a quote from Duke Energy regarding the level at Wylie.
They have the same basic message post for several lakes. I haven't been to Norman. Wylie isn't "that" low, maybe 18 inches or so below "normal". It doesn't look like much on the steeper banks, but it's a BUNCH around flatter shorelines. I caught a 5 pound 3 ounce Largemouth at Wylie last Thursday. (a rare weekday fishing trip for me). I also caught a Spot Sunday that was 4 pounds even.Dry weather conditions continue to persist and have resulted in lower reservoir levels for Lake Wylie. It will take time for the lake to return to the Normal Target Elevation, which is dependent on additional rainfall. Duke Energy Hydro Operations will be minimizing hydro station releases while staying in compliance with our federal operating license. For information on current lake levels and conditions, please visit duke-energy.com/lakes, download the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app or call 800.829.5253.
Wylie gets pounded during the Summer, but many people who fish during the Summer are hunting, or doing other things now. I suspect Norman is less crowded now too.
Wateree has been low forever. They're working on various things there. (I haven't been to Wateree lately, just going from what I've been told)
FWIW they have the hydro generators offline at Rhodhiss for maintenance, but it's not went up much at all due to the dry weather. IIRC Lookout Shoals spilled for a half day or so when the generators were offline there.
Norman looks WAY lower than Wylie. Wylie is a little low but did not look any worse than other normal low water periods. I have not seen Norman this low in many many years.
Wylie is fishing OK I would say normal considering it is not cold enough yet to really set them up.
I thought I would try Badin tomorrow to see what is up there. Any one with a recent report on Badin?
John Walker - Matthews NC
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Couldn't figure out the bite at Badin this morning. There were isolated blowups on bait balls over deep water but not much shallow. By the time I caught run down the activity it was gone. Caught one burning a lipless thru an area like that. Caught one more nice one deep with a small blade bait basically crappie fishing. Threw a lot of topwater, lipless, jerkbait, Carolina rig. Tough.
I fished Wylie Monday afternoon into darkness and it was SLOW. Water still warm. I fished Norman in the high winds Tuesday morning on the southern portion hoping the wind would get them going. Also very slow never found schooling or feeding fish but I will add navigation was tough. Norman was clear and too warm
Duke updated their low water talk today.
I caught 11 at Wylie Sunday. No BIG ones, but at least none were tiny. They were scattered. I've got a friend who live up the South Fork a bit. It's 10 to 15 feet from his boat lift to the water. I suspect some landings will be closed if we don't get substantial rain soon. Duke has already posted low water warnings for Allison Creek, Buster Boyd (Wylie) and Ramsey Creek Park (Norman). There's still plenty of ramp in the water at South Point (Wylie).On Nov. 1, 2023, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin entered Stage 1 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) due to continued dry conditions and lack of rainfall in the area. The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG), which consists of representatives from Duke Energy, large water users, and federal and state resource agencies, is closely following conditions in the basin. As these dry weather conditions continue, the community is asked to be mindful of its water use and to consider conserving energy which also saves water. Residents using water from a Duke Energy lake for landscape irrigation are asked to limit watering to Tuesdays and Saturdays. To ensure the safety of boaters and protect property, some boat ramps will close temporarily due to declining lake levels. Any closures will be listed on the Duke Energy Lakeview app and Duke-Energy.com/Lakes. Updated lake levels are available any time at www.duke-energy.com/lakes, by calling 800.829.5253, or on the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app.
Stop asking for rain......it did nothing but come monsoon after monsoon for 9 straight years. This is the longest we have gone without a major rain event in a decade thank God. Enjoy it. I sure am.
Don't farm do you. Well most folks that do sure would like some rain. Most of the folks that have beef cows are already feeding their winter supply hay a month early. Meaning if it gets super cold and the cows need more hay this winter it may be all gone. Farmers planting now for spring crops may not have the seeds sprout thus when the ground gets cold the seeds are gone, no crop next spring. No grain, short supply of beef, short supply of feed to poultry farms increasing the price of feed which will get passed down the line to consumers. But by all means enjoy the your drought. Don't forget to water your lawn now. I hear lots of places in CA are becoming available nowOriginally Posted by kb_rn87
Not enjoying it. My fescue lawn is needing some rain, too.
Thanks RB...Some don't understand......
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Crops did great this year everywhere in the state. Farmers I know are thankful not to be destroying their fields trying to travel through them. This definitely not a drought. We just haven't had a monsoon in the past month but don't you worry we will pay for this. Monsoon season is the new norm for nc specifically central nc. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Be fine with me if we didn't get a drop for a year.
Talk about first world problems lol....My lawn as as green as it can be thanks to the most recent flood and so are all of my neighbors and no we don't water them.
Catawba river basin is in Stage 1 drought conditions
They keep norman low all the time regardless of how much rain we get because of all the lawsuits on the upper end that have taken place due to high water and damage to docks and property over the last 9 years. This is nothing new for that lake. But I'm sure if y'all talk about the "drought" we're in long enough the gubner will figure out how to get us in a "state of emergency"
Bless your heart. Everyone here on this thread I started cannot wait for the next kernels of knowledge you share. You have truly helped us all better understand how our area lakes are fishing which was our topic.
The lack of rain is absolutely horrible for the fishing. You all should stay in the Deerwoods and winterize your boats and not come out on the water until we get at least 12 inches of rain in a week like we normally do. There, does that make you feel better?
Do you feel better? ...SB...
2006 Ranger 188 VX with 150 E TEC and I EAT BASS!!!
Do you feel better? ...SB...
Robert fished Tillery last Saturday. He got a bunch of grown ones. He Facetime me as he was turning them back. Everything I saw was 6+. At that time Lily Bridge was still open. He went to Norman on Sunday and it was a little tough
Sounds like I need to put Tillery back in the rotation. I am sure Robert is a better fisherman than me though.
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