Thread: High Rock - Did you Know This.........

I don't know how many of you have kept up with the relicensing and all the ALCOA lake level stuff at High Rock that has been going on but did you know that ALCOA has to keep the water level within 2 feet of full pond until May 15th!!!!

For spawning reasons they have to keep the water level within 1 foot of the water level on April 15th for a period of 1 month. This year April 15th came right after that monster rain and the water level was only 1 foot down.

Just something ya'll might find interesting.

I knew that they could only draw down so far but not the 2 foot for spawning reasons.

So what happens after the 15th of may? Are they free to draw down as much as they want?

Originally Posted by hooverman

So what happens after the 15th of may? Are they free to draw down as much as they want?

Just about as much as they want. They follow a rule curve, but it isn't pretty. About the only thing it does is save the lake from a repeat of 2001. Here is the rule curve:

It is hard to read and pretty much open to Alcoa's interpretations. Basicly as we approach July 2nd they have more responsibility to keep more water in the lake but if we hit drought conditions again you will very quickly 10 foot below full pond.

They will probably behave pretty well this year because in early 2008 they renew their 50 year license. The current standards that are in place even for the license renewal are not adequate. You can read more here:

www.savehighrocklake.org

- this is a very good not for profit group trying to save the lake.