Official 2020 - 2021 Lakes Whitney and Aquilla hunting and fishing thread

[Texas Grown]

Hold on to your britches folks! PK is releasing 16,664 cfs.
Granedbury is releasing 15,939 cfs at the moment. I expect that to increase to accommodate what PK is currently releasing.


W lake is 8.6 feet above normal. With the above releases, and the possibility of more rain soon, the W lake could hit 20 feet above normal pending how much they release before they really open the gates. The W lake is currently releasing 506 cfs.



Waco is holding water back as well as many of the lower Brazos projects. Many are above normal. And many are much smaller lakes sized like the A lake.



A lake is 6.27 feet above normal. And releasing 990 cfs, into the Brazos as well.

[roadscholar]

W is almost 10 feet high now. Looks like everything will be shut down until sometime in July.

[Texas Grown]

PK is currently releasing 15,725 cfs. Grandbury is currently releasing 17,780 cfs.



W lake is 10.17 feet above normal. And releasing 13,558 cfs.


A lake is 5.01 feet above normal. And releasing 974 cfs.


Many of the smaller impoundments in the middle and lower Brazos valley are releasing some water. ACE has been doing a great job trying to keep folks down stream from flooding. Hats off for ACE!

[Buckshot-73]

Mike, I heard on the mighty BAP yesterday, they issued a local disaster emergency for Hood county.... said PK was opening a 3rd flood gate, and to expect flooding for Granbury area.

That doesn’t sound good for the Brazos valley.

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 28,360 cfs at the moment. Granbury is releasing 27,336 cfs. Granbury will have to open more gates to accommodate the inflow. PK is barely below normal of .07 feet. With today's storms in that area, I'd expect PK to open a bit more.

The fish are biting, and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

[Texas Grown]

PK has dropped it's release back from this morning to 17,767 cfs. Grandbury has increased it's release to 31,619 cfs.


The W lake is rising. And currently sits at 11.86 feet above normal. It is releasing 21,396 cfs.


A lake sits at 4.93 feet above normal. And releasing 973 cfs.




How high to you think the W lake will go? I think they will try to hold the release rate back as much as possible to keep from flooding down stream. There is over 30K cfs being released into the river system at the present (not counting Grandbury or PK), with other projects combined with the W lake's release. That's quite a bit when you get down by Rosharon, Texas. But that poor little town has seen 54 feet above normal too. And it's pretty flat down there. Lots of room for the water to spread out before it hits the delta.

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 17,636 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 31,570 cfs.


W lake is 12.76 feet above normal. And is releasing 25,352 cfs.


A lake has dropped a little to 4.53 feet above normal. And is releasing 968 cfs.

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 17,636 cfs still. Good news is it hasn't had any inflow. And is slightly below normal. This should mean it should shut the gates down soon. Grandbury is releasing 19,856 cfs. Down from my past posting. It will have to continue releasing after PK shuts down for a few days. Then it will shut down too. This is providing there is no more rain in the area.


W lake is 13.21 feet above normal. It is releasing 25,006 cfs.


A lake is down to 3.53 feet above normal. It is releasing 955 cfs.


Everybody, have a safe and wonderful weekend! And don't forget to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids with the heat that's out!

[jnd1959]

Well I hope it shuts down soon. Granbury is log central right now.

[Texas Grown]

Coworker who lives on the Grandbury lake said it was really flowing. Channel markers were turned sideways with the current. Logs coming in as fast as they go out from one end to the other.

[Paycheck]

Can't wait until Whitney pinches down a little.

[Texas Grown]

Hope and praying for yall Paycheck! I've had family property looking like that on Lake Worth a few times. We never got flooded out though, in the 76 years we owned it. On the light side, I could sit in the yard and catfish in the yard. They were in there eating all the earthworms, grubs, and other insects in the yard.



No release changes have been made except the A lake is releasing 4 cfs less than yesterday evening.


W lake has dropped a few inches in the last 24hrs. And sits at 13.01 feet above normal. Bad news is: PK level has come up a bit in the last 24 hrs, about 3". And is slightly above normal by 2.5 inches.



A lake has dropped a few inches also. And sits at 3.26 feet above normal

[Texas Grown]

Good news: None of the lakes have had an inflow in the last 24 hours. And all are releasing something except Georgetown. It is 3.30 feet low and not releasing. PK is releasing 17,636 cfs still. Grandbury is still releasing 19,856 cfs.



The W lake sits at 12.59 feet above normal. A little down from the past 24 hours. And has dropped it's release rate to 23,806.


A lake is 2.69 feet above normal. And is releasing 943 cfs.


With the expected warm weather to come this coming week, we should see more decline in lake levels.

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 1,520 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 2,656 cfs.


W lake is down to 9.56 feet above normal. And is releasing 23,780 cfs.


A lake is 1.15 feet above normal. And is releasing 620 cfs.

[Razorback01]

TG, what is your prognostication for return to normal at Whitney, impact on campgrounds, striper and hunting?

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 2,588 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 2,218 cfs.


The W lake has dropped to 5.97 feet above normal. And is releasing 23,780 still.



A lake is sitting at .20 feet above normal. And should be shutting it's gate down soon.



Lot's of water still going into the Brazos down stream. Waco, Belton, and Somerville are well still above normal levels for smaller lakes. Aquilla, Stillhouse, Granger, and Limestone are near normal levels. Georgetown is the only project below normal. All the smaller lakes except Georgetown and Limestone are releasing what they can into the Brazos to draw them back down to normal or below in case the area gets a good rain again. Those factors are what's limiting Whitney on it's release rate.


The good news is some of the smaller lakes are nearing normal again. So I expect they will be shutting down the release rate soon to join Limestone and Georgetown. Of those near normal again are Aquilla, Stillhouse, Granger, and Limestone (Limestone not releaseing). Waco, Belton, Whitney, and Sumerville still have a way to go. Seeing how Proctor (6.63 feet above normal) feeds Belton (8.93 feet above normal), I expect those two to take a while. However, Belton may open the gates more once the other smaller lakes start shutting down their gates. That would give Belton and Proctor a chance to release more and get back down to normal quickly in case more rains come to their areas. Whitney will most likely be the last to shut down. As it has the biggest "catcher's mitt". And can easily handle 20+ feet above normal.

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by Razorback01

TG, what is your prognostication for return to normal at Whitney, impact on campgrounds, striper and hunting?

If the rain stops, I'm thinking it's still going to be near Aug or in before the W lake is near normal again. This shouldn't have much effect on the stipers on the lower end (as it's shown in the past). What will make the difference is the thermal-cline. July and August are near some of the toughest months on fishing because the oxygen saturation rate in the water becomes less. And the metabolism of the fish has increased due the warmer waters. However, stipers still need to feed. But will be deeper through most of the day. You can find them in shallower waters and surface feeding very early in the morning and sometimes late in the evening. But they and the sandies will be holding that thermal-cline most of the time. Once we get through August, things will start to pick back up in September. October being usually one of the best months as the fish start to forage for the winter.


As to the parks, I don't expect Plowman or Kimball Bend to be open for camping come fall. There is just to much cleanup and manpower needed, with the limited budget they have. ACE may let the boat ramps be open though. Hamm's Creek should get theirs cleaned up pretty quick. They've done a good job of that in the past. And of course there is Chisholm Trail that is nearly never shut down except when it's flooded. Most of the other "free" parks should be open once the water levels drop back to normal, and roads get cleaned up. As well as the ones that are usually open on the lower end during their respective season per park.


Hunting should be back to the norm come the season. Lots of new green browse will grow giving lots of options for the critters as the water recedes. Providing the lake doesn't flood again .

[Razorback01]

Impressive TG, and thanks! You rival FND as the "legend".

At the current lake stage, did it flood the flat areas (dove areas)?

Take the mask off!

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by Razorback01

Impressive TG, and thanks! You rival FND as the "legend".

At the current lake stage, did it flood the flat areas (dove areas)?

Take the mask off!

When we look at the lake water level as "normal" conditions on the W lake, we are referring to a level of 533 feet above sea level, also known as "conservation level". This is where you will normally find most of the older shoreline Willow trees growing (last 50 years or so). Although there have been newer growths from the lake having sat in a receded state for some time. Just look for the older taller trees. Their trunks will give you an idea of where the conservation level starts.


After some research in recent W lake history, I have found that the W lake reached a maximum height of 13.36 feet above normal on June 10th, 2021. That is as close to today's date as the ACE database would let me get. It may have gotten slightly higher. But not by much from what I can remember.


After comparing the USGS TOPO (circa 2019 of Morgan-USGS) of the area I believe you are referencing to, it should have covered part of it at 13.36 feet above normal. It certainly flooded 1/2 the creek area making it 2/3rds the way to the highway. And some of the lower laying areas were flooded as well. There is a median TOPO line that runs mostly vertical through that property. It's set at 550 feet above sea level. Maximum height is slightly avbove 560 feet above sea level near the highway. And runs down as it gets closer to the water.

[Texas Grown]

And I'll change my avatar soon.

[Texas Grown]

And I can't be a Legend when FND is already "The Legend". No way to "rival" that feller!

[Razorback01]

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

And I'll change my avatar soon.

You are avatar-less.

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by Razorback01

You are avatar-less.

Well, I changed it, didn't I?

The fish are biting, and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

[Razorback01]

No sir, no avatar. May I suggest some?

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by Razorback01

No sir, no avatar. May I suggest some?

Sure!



Although I have some ideas for one, I just wanna see where this goes.

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 1,190 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 3,542 cfs.


The W lake sits at 3.43 feet above normal. And releasing 9,887 cfs at the moment.


A lake sits at .22 feet below normal. And is not releasing anything of worthiness.

[Texas Grown]

And just for the record, today has the most daylight of the year. So, you can say: "It's been a longggggg day!".

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 371 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 1,339 cfs.


W lake sits at 1.88 feet above normal. We might make it to normal before July! (pending rain, of course). And it's releasing 7,512 cfs.


A lake is .23 feet below normal. and releasing "3" cfs.

[jnd1959]

Ok. Today is June 25th. This has gone on too long. Texas Grown has been without an avatar for at least 5 days. I propose a "Save the Avatar" campaign for TG. We could start a gofundme to help design one. Maybe apply for a federal grant. In this day and age, in a county as wealthy as we are, no one should be without an avatar. We can't let one of our own twist in the wind.

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by jnd1959

Ok. Today is June 25th. This has gone on too long. Texas Grown has been without an avatar for at least 5 days. I propose a "Save the Avatar" campaign for TG. We could start a gofundme to help design one. Maybe apply for a federal grant. In this day and age, in a county as wealthy as we are, no one should be without an avatar. We can't let one of our own twist in the wind.

The fish are biting, and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 371 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 1,340 at the moment.


W lake is 1.06 feet above normal. And is releasing 4,384 cfs. Looks like we might hit normal this weekend if we don't get much rain or the gates stay at current release rates. But things can change with the expected rain forcast for this Sunday through Tuesday.


A lake sits at .26 feet below normal. And is releasing 3 cfs.

[Texas Grown]

Data has not been updated on the W or A lakes on the district website. Someone musta forgot to go to work . But...


A lake sits at .29 feet below normal.


W lake sits at .65 feet above normal.

[Texas Grown]

Finally! And update! PK is releasing 391 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 898 cfs.


W lake sits at .30 feet above normal. And is releasing 4381 cfs. I expect they will start shutting down the releases soon. And try to conserve for the summer. We are about to enter what is our traditionally two hottest months of the year.


A lake is .26 feet below normal still. And had an inflow of .03. It's releasing 3 cfs.

[slabnabbin]

Whitney gave up some good ones today



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Texas Grown]

Nice haul slabnabbin!

The fish are biting, and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

[Texas Grown]

Ut-oh! Here we go again. PK is releasing 9,326 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 2,214 cfs.


The W lake has almost made it back to normal. It sits at .02 feet above normal . And is releasing it's normal 25 cfs. This is just in time for Grandbury to open it's gates over the next day or so. There by creating a larger inflow into the W lake than what is going out.


A lake is still .26 feet below normal. It has not had any inflow or out flow. And is releasing 3 cfs. Someone needs to fix those leaks and conserve some water!

[Razorback01]

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

Ut-oh! Here we go again. PK is releasing 9,326 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 2,214 cfs.


The W lake has almost made it back to normal. It sits at .02 feet above normal . And is releasing it's normal 25 cfs. This is just in time for Grandbury to open it's gates over the next day or so. There by creating a larger inflow into the W lake than what is going out.


A lake is still .26 feet below normal. It has not had any inflow or out flow. And is releasing 3 cfs. Someone needs to fix those leaks and conserve some water!

Possible pre-planning, checking the weather this morning, chances for rain thru next week.

[NannySlayer]

Radio check... is this thing on???

[Texas Grown]

Nanny Slayer!

[NannySlayer]

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

Nanny Slayer!

Howdy TG!

Went to Benbrook on Tuesday. The water has come down QUITE a bit. Launched at the Marina and scooted over towards Mustang to check out the parks. Everything was still closed. I'm not sure as of today.

I will be headed down to Whitney Saturday! Haven't been down there in a hot minute. I hope life is treating yall well!!!

[Texas Grown]

Thanks . Hope all has been well on your end too. Good to see you post-n . I'm just trying to stay out of the heat. Catch a bunch if ya get a chance!



Most of the ramps at Whitney will be open tomorrow. As well as several parks. They have been "scheduled for July 2nd" to open.



To all, have a safe and fun 4th weekend!

[Texas Grown]

And I've still got a bunch of frozen shad, FREE, if anybody needs some.

[Razorback01]

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

And I've still got a bunch of frozen shad, FREE, if anybody needs some.

Catfish bait bump.

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 2863 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 14,700 cfs.


W lake sits at .35 feet above normal. And is releasing 4826 cfs.


A lake is .06 feet above normal. And is releasing 3 cfs.

[jnd1959]

Were up in the mountains but if the videos of 4th parades in granbury and Weatherford are any indication we got a lot of rain yesterday.

[Texas Grown]

It's not to bad here yesterday and today, JD. Bit humid today. Yall stay cool up there!


And a Happy B-day U.S. of America!

[Texas Grown]

PK is releasing 2,863 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 3,700 cfs.


W lake is 1.01 feet above normal. And is releasing 4,828 cfs.



Looks like the A lake came up over 2 feet in the last 24 hrs ! It sits at 2.23 feet above normal. And is releasing 3 cfs still.

[NannySlayer]

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

And I've still got a bunch of frozen shad, FREE, if anybody needs some.

Count me in on them there fish sticks. I’ll put them to work real quick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Texas Grown]

Originally Posted by NannySlayer

Count me in on them there fish sticks. I’ll put them to work real quick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any time you want some, your welcome to some. Just send me a text and let me know your coming.

[KactusKiller]

Originally Posted by Texas Grown

PK is releasing 2,863 cfs. Grandbury is releasing 3,700 cfs.


W lake is 1.01 feet above normal. And is releasing 4,828 cfs.



Looks like the A lake came up over 2 feet in the last 24 hrs ! It sits at 2.23 feet above normal. And is releasing 3 cfs still.

I think I saw it rise as I sat under the bridge, lol. 5 min after putting in the bottom fell out and it never quit or let up. We sat there for over an hr and got soaked. Finally decided I could t get much wetter so made a run for the ramp and load. I was wrong, I got a lot more “wetter”! Bad gamble on my part for sure.