Dam generation info on the NAFF site is great....except I don't know how to translate the Flow/releases into "safe wading conditions". I travel down from KC area once a month to wade fish below Norfork or Bull Shoals in the C&R areas. Often I am shut out because of high water. Is there anyway to simply look at the flow info on the NAFF site and determine whether releases have been (past tense) allowing wading. For example I notice that they have been generating around 5800 at Norfork the last two days. I assume that is two generators and no wading. But what level is safe wading in the C&R. Similar questions for Bull Shoals and Tablerock. And yes I understand this does not indicate what they will do in the future (or next 5 minutes). Thanks KCDinger
There are others with more experience than I have with this. But my rule of thumb for the year or so that I have lived here is that no generators is good. I generator might be marginal, and I wouldn't wade with 2 or more. Of course I live in the area and can afford to more picky than someone who travel a distance. The other issue that just because there is high water at Bull Shaols state park doesn't mean that there is high water at Wildcat Shoals or Rim Shoals, etc.
I have a map of the river that give this algorithm for computing water level at various locations: Water Speed Downstream: 1-3 Units 2.5 MPH 3-6 Units 3.0 MPH 6-8 Unit s 3.25 MPH To estimate the when water will reach a location divide the distance downstream by the water speed (DOH!) To estimate when the water will fall divide the distance by 2
State Park - 1.5 White Hole - 7 Wildcat Shoals - 11 Cotter - 18 Rim Shoals 24 Ranchettes 28 Buffalo City 32 Chatney 38 Norfork 44 Reds Landing 49
These numbers don't really help much when they have running 7 units for a week straight!
