Bonneville Dam Water level predictions?

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 4316 Posts Camas Site Lackey **CGKA Member**

Does anyone know how to find out what the planned downstream water level is for Bonneville dam is? I'm not talking long term, I mean like finding out in the morning what the plan is for the day. Or do the operators even know? Confused

westender · Since 09 Aug 2008 41 Posts Portland/Stevenson

Here's the Bonneville graph. http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr&gage=bono3&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6&type=0

Here's Vancouver. http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr&gage=vapw1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6&type=0

Nak · Sat Sep 27, 08 5:47 pm

Thanks for answering! Yea, I have those. The problem is it shows what Bonneville has done, but not what they plan for the day. That high up, dam operations have a bigger impact on water level than the tide does...

westender · Since 09 Aug 2008 41 Posts Portland/Stevenson

They said they were holding water back for the salmon run?? Till that's done with or it rains some more I expect you'll have the sand bars to play with. I never figured out what was going on above the dam this year. The biggest fluctuations I ever saw in 20 years.

Nak · Sat Sep 27, 08 7:11 pm

My main concern with this is beaching my boat. I've already had to dig it out off of a beach when the water dropped quickly over a 20 minute period. Shocked

If I know the water level is going to go up over the next few hours, I can just beach the boat and ride. If it's going to go down, I need to spend a lot more time securing the boat. Unfortunately, it does the reverse of what you'd expect from the tide predictions sometimes upstream of Camas. (Due to dam operations.) It would be really great to have a phone # or a website to find out the days plans... Very Happy