Time to enjoy the outdoors!

David Casaletto

I test water on Table Rock Lake for the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program. My first test date for 2011 was scheduled to be the week of the big flood so I was not able to get out to my dock. Last Saturday, I inflated a tube and we floated ourselves and a generator out to the dock. The electric box was under water so we needed the generator to operate the lift. Then we headed out on the boat. It was a great day with temperatures near 80 degrees and the water looked fantastic! The Secchi disk depth was 41" which is fairly normal during regular lake levels. It seems the sediment had already moved downstream. Water testing can be hard work and it was a hot day so Madison and I decided to cool off with a swim in the lake. I will say it was refreshing.

David & Madison take a break from water testing last week

Last Monday night, I attended a public meeting in Rogers, AR given to update citizens on Beaver Lake. The meeting was hosted by the 

Association for Beaver Lake Environment (ABLE) with speakers from Beaver Water District, US Geological Society (USGS) and US Army Corps of Engineers. Topics included historical water testing and also current lake conditions. I have included a satellite image taken on May 7, 2011 of the White River chain of Lakes that was shown by the USGS presenter.

Left to right: Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals & Norfork Lakes, May 7, 2011

It is interesting to note how the brown water is moving down the lakes towards the dam. The picture is fairly small here in the newsletter but if you CLICK HERE it will take you to a full size image that I have posted on our facebook page.

I have been talking about the Ozarks Water Watch's facebook page for a few weeks now. On there you can find upcoming events, many pictures, and I keep it updated daily with water quality news stories and other events and information. When I talk about this page, I frequently encounter resistance from people who do not want to have a facebook page and I fully understand. But what I need to tell everyone is that you DO NOT NEED to be a facebook member to view the Ozarks Water Watch facebook page. You can just visit the page any time just like a website. You can look at the pictures, events, and current postings without ever becoming a facebook member. Try it now: CLICK HERE.

I know everyone has been ready for some outdoor activities and here are a few events to put on your calendar:

Branson Phonebook Recycling Kickoff Event at the Branson Rec Plex on Thursday, May 19th: This event will be from 4 pm to 6:30 pm with free Pizza, drinks, cookies, door prizes, kids activities, child ID kits and more!

Kings River Cleanup at Kings River Rapids, Saturday, June 4th:The cleanup will be from 9 am to noon and is sponsored by the Kings River Watershed Partnership. For more information or to volunteer, rayandkarenwarren@gmail.com or call 870-654-4134.
 

River Cleanup couple

Crooked Creek Cleanup Sunday, June 5th: A great chance to float the waters of one of the best small mouth bass fisheries in America - one of Arkansas' two Ozark Blue Ribbon Smallmouth Streams. Learn some history of the stream and the gravel mining that threatens its quality. Departure is set for 1 p.m. starting at Kelly Slab ending at Yellville City Park. Contact Mike Tipton, michaeltipton@centurytel.net, or Ben Levin, benlevin00@hotmail.com for more information.

Kid's Fishing Derby at Quarry Park below Norfork Dam Saturday, June 11th: Fishing will be open to kids 15 years and under, including a stocked pool for the youngest fishing group. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the fishing begins at 9:00 and lasts until noon. Participation is free to kids and adults. Food will be provided for everyone and all the kids will win a prize with the overall winner receiving a special prize. Volunteers needed: Fish Marshals, registration personnel, cooking assistants, prize giver and general host. Contact Joe Salisbury 870-321-2456 or

trout548@aol.com .
 

1200 kids came to Roaring River Fish Hatchery

Family Fishing Fair at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery Saturday, June 11th: Whether you have been fishing for years or have never been fishing, this FREE event is just what you need to improve your fishing experience. This family event is part of the Free Fishing Weekend across the state and is sponsored by the MO Department of Conservation and Trout Unlimited. There will be several learning stations at which everyone can learn new skills. The stations include: Fly Tying, Fish Filleting, Knots, Fish Prints, Fly/Bait Casting, and Water Critters. A pond will be stocked with catfish and bluegill for fishing. Bring a cooler with ice if you want to keep your fish. There will be free give-aways during the event. There will also be a special appearance by the Fishin' Magicians at 12 noon. If you would like more information or directions to the Hatchery please call (417) 334-4865 ext 0. Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be available!
 

River Rescue group

Lower James River Cleanup Saturday, June 18th: Come join Joe Templeton, Mayor of Galena, MO and citizens for a morning of floating and cleaning up the lower James River! The group will clean up between the Kerr Access on Horse Creek Road down to the "Y" bridge in Galena. The group will meet at the James River Outfitters in Galena at 9:00 a.m. for assembly, instructions, canoes, and supplies! Please contact Joe at (417) 527-0913 with any questions and to sign up!

This is just a sampling of the many great events waiting for you and your family to enjoy the great Ozark outdoors! Be sure to check our EVENTS page on our website or facebook page to be updated on future happenings.

Taming floods a familiar, contentious job for Army Corps
 

Reuters, May 12, 2011

As floodwaters have surged across the central United States over the past month, the names of the towns in danger have changed: Grand Forks, North Dakota; Cairo, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee.

But no matter where the waters were rising, the name of the agency scrambling to minimize the damage has remained the same: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To read more on the history of the Corps...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/12/us-flooding-us-army-idUSTRE74B5SC20110512

Corps of Engineers say lakes helped manage flooding
 

Missourian, May 13, 2011

BRANSON - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the six lakes it manages in the White River Basin have done their job during recent flooding.

... Without Table Rock Lake in the Branson area, the crest on the White River would have been an estimated 20 feet higher. He says that would have inundated hundreds more homes and business. For more...

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/05/13/corps-engineers-says-lakes-did-job-flooding/