Generation FPS question - Cumberland River

[culprit7.5]

I'm wondering about the current on the Cumberland River around Opryland. Would anyone be able to share their experience with 12000 fps flow. Is this considered a lot or a little current? Would I be able to fish without battling the trolling motor all the time? I'll be in my fish and ski 17.5 ft fiberglass boat. Thank you in advance for your help.

[Halli]

I don't know the flow rates but the river is out of the trees below the Old Hickory Bridge so you should be just fine.

[culprit7.5]

Excellent, thanks Halli.

[Buccaneer]

Depends entirely on your trolling motor thrust and whether it is a 24V or 12V system. I have an 18.5' Stratos with 70lb 24V trolling motor and I consider 12,000/13,000 CFS to be the optimal flow rate to fish below the dam. Optimally, you're on the water when the flow rate increases from one generator to two, or from sluice flow to one generator. The triggering moment for fish is the step up in flow rate. Based on my experience, anything over 20,000 CFS is difficult to manage and your batteries will run down in just a few hours.

[Buccaneer]

Keep this link in your computer and smart phone - http://www.tva.com/river/lakeinfo/index.htm

[culprit7.5]

Thanks Buccaneer. I have the app on my phone and they are saying 12000 for average discharge for tomorrow and with you saying that is optimal for below the dam, I believe I'm all good. I don't fish the Cumby that much but as the lakes start getting crowded, that's one of my escapes. I only have 12V for trolling motor but I should not have any trouble for the day. On prior trips with my friend in his boat, we seem to just drift and fish as we go using the trolling motor for positioning. The catch is that I have never been concerned with the discharge levels...when he says let's go, we go. Every once in a while set up below structure or point to cast back at it. That's where I was wondering how difficult it would be to hold position. My trolling motor is 54# but I should be ok for tomorrow.
Thanks again for your info.

[Andy M]

Buc is right, fishing conditions with 12k is close to perfect, but 54lbs thrust will probably drain the battery pretty quick if your fighting the current consistently. I fish the river often during the summer nights and it's one of the most overlooked fishing spots in middle tn.

[blink]

Looks like its going up right now and will crest around 19.5ft downtown. that is about 24kcfs. Looks like it will go down quickly though!

[blink]

i use the NOAA data.

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=ohx&gage=nast1

[CreekWalker]

Buccaneer's advice couldn't be any better.

I love it around 12,000cfs. Conversely, it's almost worthless when they're not pulling any water.

Blink - how accurate do you find NOAA's forecast? I love the TVA's app and despite the unknown of "or more" within the "2 or more" generators they've been pulling 12,200cfs consistently for awhile now. Adding some flow for a few feeder creeks it's 13,000cfs downtown right now according to RiverFlows. We did get a little storm shower that ran through last night but I'm curious if you think it'll really get to 24,000cfs?

[blink]

Buccaneer's advice couldn't be any better.

I love it around 12,000cfs. Conversely, it's almost worthless when they're not pulling any water.

Blink - how accurate do you find NOAA's forecast? I love the TVA's app and despite the unknown of "or more" within the "2 or more" generators they've been pulling 12,200cfs consistently for awhile now. Adding some flow for a few feeder creeks it's 13,000cfs downtown right now according to RiverFlows. We did get a little storm shower that ran through last night but I'm curious if you think it'll really get to 24,000cfs?

I have known them to be pretty accurate in the past, but this was in Georgia. I imagine they are letting water out at the dam because if you look at the gauge at the dam you can see how the release has gone for the past few days. The nashville one is the only one with a "forecast" but i look up at the ones toward the dam to get a better idea.

You gotta take Mill Creek into consideration though. It floods from a sprinkle and dumps in right above shelby park. that might have something to do with the forecast also.