Friday Pre-Labor Day Lil Mo

[Lupe]

The planned Friday, Aug 31, pre-Labor Day Weekend float is a go for all us poor, er I mean LUCKY folks who aren't heading east to paddle bigger, er I mean OTHER waters.

Friday's release is at 2pm. I'm planning to meet at the takeout at 1:30 to drop some cars for shuttle.

Since our office closes early before the holiday weekend, I will NOT end up stuck at work for this one!

I'll add a separate post for Monday, Labor Day if that is a go once the release schedule is posted.

Is it Friday yet?

[jmdauf]

so will issac increase the number of generators they will open on friday?
mitch?

[Steve S]

The SWEPCO spreadsheet shows that for the first 3 hours they will run all 3 generators. During the 4th hour they will run with 2. If they get a lot of rain on Thursday night and Friday, SWEPCO might decide to run the 3rd generator during the 4th hour. But by that time the paddlers should be at or near the take-out and probably won't notice any difference.

Having paddled that section of the Little Missouri with both 2 and 3 generators running, I have to say that I think the Lower Little Missouri is more fun with just 2 generators. More river features are exposed so you have more opportunities to play the water.

[Lupe]

FYI - unless somehow the weather forecast is GROSSLY incorrect, I do NOT expect to be making this Lil Mo trip on Friday. Instead we'll be paddling something "natural flow"...maybe not until Saturday depending on how things look on Friday.

If there are natural flow waters that last until Monday, then I'll be paddling something on Monday as well. If nothing is still running on Monday and SWEPCO does a Labor day release, then I'll still do the Lil Mo trip on Labor Day.

So for now, all trips on hold until we see how the weather develops.

[Steve S]

I sent an e-mail to SWEPCO on Wednesday to ask if they would be generating on Labor Day, and if so, how many generators would be running. I expect to get an answer sometime on Thursday. I'll post their response when it comes in.

[Steve S]

No reply from SWEPCO, but they did post the spreadsheet for the week of 9/3 - 9/9. On Labor Day they will run 3 generators starting at 3 PM.

[Lupe]

Great - thanks Steve.

Then we at least have the Lil Mo as our Labor Day back up plan! We'll see what develops over the weekend to decide where we might go!

[Karla]

I will be also watching what is running for Sunday and Monday. Can't paddle Saturday, have to work but want to Sunday and Monday. Monday, little MO if nothing else is running on Monday.

Will be watching this forum for plans.

Karla

[Cabra Loca 87]

I dont believe I have met any of you guys yet, but would be interested in joining for the dam release on Labor Day. Mind if I join?

Reese

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Wish I had noticed this post earlier so I could tell you that the Corps normally doesn't release water for 48 hours after a heavy rain that has already caused flooding downstream (way downstream). I didn't think this trip was going to take place because of continued rain today. If a lot of rain falls on the lower Ouachita, there may not be a release. It is best to call the powerhouse directly to find out if the 48 hour hold is in effect. I'll have to hunt for that number.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[Lupe]

Reese - absolutely feel free to join us on Monday.

Monday Labor Day trip now officially posted on separate thread.

[Steve S]

Mike, if you find the number for the powerhouse, please post on this thread or the Monday thread. I doubt that there will be any flooding further downstream from the dam by Monday, but it wouldn't hurt to call that morning to ensure the release is going to happen.