Outdoor Adventure

Area lake levels have been around the 355ft mark, and are predicted to remain there through the end of March. However, if we see a significant amount of rainfall into the Tennessee River Valley, expect the lake to rise. Normally TVA will begin filling the lake starting April 1st, and have the lake at summer pool by the end of April. Flow rates in our area have moderated, as of this past weekend, rates have been averaging in the mid 70,000cfs. The Duck River saw a slight rise last week, with levels at 4.5ft mid week, and expected to rise over the weekend to around 7.5ft, and slowly dropping back to normal. The Buffalo also came up last weekend and is expected to return to normal if we don’t see much in precipitation this week. The Cumberland River at Cumberland City remained stable, with a level of 3.8ft over the last week. Most of the area has seen surface water temps holding in the low to mid 50’s, but with the warmer air temperatures returning, expect to see a quick increase over the next week.

Lake levels were at 357ft on Monday, March 13th. They have been dropping quickly, and as of Thursday, lake levels at NewJohnsonville were just over 355ft, and TVA is predicting a fall into the 354ft range by Wednesday. Flow rates continue to be strong, with most of last week having over 100,000cfs moving through our area. Flow rates will drop off as TVA gets the lake back to winter pool of 354ft. Surface temps have been in the low to mid 50’s most of this past week. TVA usually will start raising the lake through the month of April, starting near 354ft on March 1st, and having the lake up to spring pool by April 30th. Of course, if we experience abnormal rainfall, everything might change. March is a time of unsettled weather, as old man winter dukes it out with summer, leading to some quickly changing weather. Both the Duck and Buffalo Rivers are returning to normal as of this weekend, but if we see more rainfall, expect the rivers to once again come up. The Cumberland River at Cumberland City was at 3.73ft on Friday.

Area lake levels on Friday were at 357.7ft, with TVA predicting a crest on Saturday at 357.8ft, and beginning a slow fall back to 356.3ft by Wednesday March 15th. Flow rates continue to be in the ‘strong’ category, with over 160,000cfs moving through our area. Water temps have remained somewhat stable, with average surface temps in the mid to upper 50’s. Cooler weather is predicted over the next few weeks, I do expect the water temps to fall back towards normal temperature for this time of year. The Duck and Buffalo Rivers did see a rise last week, but are now falling back towards normal, with the Duck expected to reach 3.3ft by Monday. Water color is stained in most areas of the lake, but I do expect most areas to clear if we don’t see much precipitation over the next few days.

Area lake levels on last Friday were at 355.5ft, with TVA showing a slight fall over this past weekend, but with a slight rise through Wednesday to a level of around 356ft. Kentucky Lake flow rates have been on the strong side, with flows averaging over 120,000cfs over this past weekend. Both the Duck and Buffalo Rivers saw a significant rise, with the Duck reaching 11.5ft last Saturday, and the Buffalo cresting at 10.5ft. The Cumberland River at Dover was at 56.8ft Saturday. Area lake water temperatures have responded to the warmer than normal temperatures, with average surface temperatures around the mid to upper 50’s (57degrees) this past week.

Lake levels at New Johnsonville have continued to fall slowly. The current levels, as of last Friday, were at 357.4ft. With the added rainfall, TVA has been trying to keep the lake near winter pool levels, and the lake has continued to fall. Flow rates have been in the strong category, with flow rates averaging around 100,000cfs to 120,000cfs. Water temps have started to creep up with all the warm temps and strong winds. Average surface water temperatures are in the mid 50’s. Both the Duck and Buffalo Rivers came up last week, but are on their way back down, barring any large amounts of rainfall we may receive after this article was written.