As remnants of Gustav finally move out of the White River Basin, officials of the Army Corps of Engineers continue to operate the federal lakes according to plan to minimize flooding in the White River valley.  Also, officials say no large releases from the Corps dams will be necessary because of this rain system.

The National Weather Service has forecast the river stage at Newport to rise from 14.6 feet on Thursday to a crest of about 25.6 feet on Saturday.  Flood stage is 26 feet.  This rise is coming from tributaries downstream of the Corps dams, primarily the Buffalo River.

On Tuesday, the Corps reduced releases from Bull Shoals, Norfork and Greers Ferry, and the lakes are rising as they capture flood water.  The Corps further reduced releases to zero beginning Thursday afternoon through Friday from Bull Shoals and Norfork. 

This is helping reduce the peak stage downstream that would otherwise have been caused by the rain.  After downstream river crests begin falling, releases will be timed to allow the river stage at Newport to return to and hold at 12 feet as water is evacuated from the lakes to make them ready should another round of heavy rain occur. 

Rainfall totals upstream of Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork and Greers Ferry lakes were significant, though the dams will be able to contain this floodwater without making large releases.  Those in the vicinity of Table Rock Dam will see some spillway releases this week but the total amount will not be unusual and will not affect downstream homeowners. 

Public safety is always a concern of the Corps, and people working or engaging in recreation downstream should remain aware of the potential for changes in river flows and take appropriate precautions.  Anglers should be vigilant that escape routes are not cut off by rising water.  Downstream dock owners should ensure their docks are properly secured.

 Those further downstream along the White River or its tributaries should stay abreast of National Weather Service river stage forecasts.  The Weather Service posts river stage forecasts at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/. 

Information regarding lake levels and power generation is available at www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil, under the Daily Reports (Little Rock District Lakes Pool Forecast) or Real-time Data (Reservoirs) headings.

Edited news release from Taney County Office of Emergency Management, 2:30 p.m. Thursday: BRANSON, Mo. -- As a result of the substantial rainfall resulting from Gustav, the lakes in the area are rapidly filling. Table Rock Dam is currently releasing 9,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the generators.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers anticipates that Table Rock Lake Levels will crest on Saturday at 923 feet (above sea level). When the lake reaches 920 feet, probably sometime Friday afternoon (later than earlier estimates), the spillway gates will be opened and water released at rate of 20,000 cfs. (Oller says that's less than half the flow of last spring, when water was flowing through Table Rock Dam at 48,000 cfs.)

From our experience with releases earlier this year, we expect Taneycomo lake levels to rise, but not threaten homes. Once Table Rock Lake has crested and returned to the 920 foot level, the spillway gates will be closed. (Oller says the spillway likely will be open only several days, not a month as it was last spring.)

Although we do not expect flooding like we experienced earlier this year, people with interests along Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes should monitor the news closely in case higher release rates become necessary. In addition, lake level and release information can be obtained on the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District Web site.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your local Emergency Management Office at:
Taney County - (417) 334-3440
Branson - (417) 337-8580
Hollister - (417) 334-6565
Forsyth - (417) 546-4763
Rockaway Beach - (417) 593-1490
Bull Creek - (417) 561-1111