Low Lake Levels Provide Sights Seldom Seen

Douglas Lake Winter, January 2014 – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

While summer is still several months away and local lakes are much lower than their full pool, this month, lake levels for both Cherokee and Douglas Lakes are lower than the same time last year. On Sunday, January 12, 2014, Douglas Lake was at 952.80 feet, 37.20 feet below full pool. Cherokee Lake was at 1,042.60 on Sunday, which is 30.40 feet below full pool. While both lakes levels are under the 2013 numbers, the gap may be slighter than it appears. On the same date in 2013, Douglas levels were at 953.20 and Cherokee was showing 1,043.9 feet. There was a larger discrepancy between the 2013 and 2014 levels earlier in the month of January, however, it appears that the gap may be closing. Traditionally, lake levels will remain low until late spring, when the local lakes begin to fill. In recent years, TVA has made an effort to have local lakes at full pool before the Memorial Day boating season kick off. Until then, some local fishermen have been taking advantage of the increased shoreline to drop their line in some, generally, hard to reach spots. Those that are looking to brave the cold and pass a little time fishing should check generation release times because they vary from dam to dam. Locals that are missing the full pool beauty that can be found on the local lakes during the warm weather months can find solace that soon the waters will begin to rise and until then, there is a very different type of majesty in winter by the lakes.

Douglas Lake Winter, January 2014 – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew