Turbulent Pickwick

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Torrential storms rolled across North Alabama yesterday, dumping huge amounts of rain in the Tennessee River watershed. All of that water is now dumping into the river, forcing the postponement of Day 1 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake. Here’s a look at the conditions that forced this decision.
Torrential storms rolled across North Alabama yesterday, dumping huge amounts of rain in the Tennessee River watershed. All of that water is now dumping into the river, forcing the postponement of Day 1 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake. Here’s a look at the conditions that forced this decision.
Torrential rains forced the TVA to throw open the floodgates of the Wilson Dam. By 4 a.m., almost 160,000 cubic feet per second, and that increased to more than 167,000 cfs by 11 a.m. Projections are that by tomorrow more than 195,000 cfs will be dumping into Pickwick Lake, and that climbs to more than 208,000 cfs by Saturday.
Torrential rains forced the TVA to throw open the floodgates of the Wilson Dam. By 4 a.m., almost 160,000 cubic feet per second, and that increased to more than 167,000 cfs by 11 a.m. Projections are that by tomorrow more than 195,000 cfs will be dumping into Pickwick Lake, and that climbs to more than 208,000 cfs by Saturday.
The massive amounts of rainfall have swollen the creeks draining into Pickwick, increasing the amount of water flowing into the lake and furthering the risk of flooding around the lake.
The massive amounts of rainfall have swollen the creeks draining into Pickwick, increasing the amount of water flowing into the lake and furthering the risk of flooding around the lake.
Even the creeks flowing into Pickwick are running extremely swiftly.
Even the creeks flowing into Pickwick are running extremely swiftly.
Water already was moving into low-lying areas along the banks this morning.
Water already was moving into low-lying areas along the banks this morning.
High flow rates increased the amount of turbulence in the water flowing into the lake.
High flow rates increased the amount of turbulence in the water flowing into the lake.
Adding to the concerns were the high winds, today forecast to blow sustained at 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 30mph. The real problem with the wind, however, was the direction: It’s blowing out of the west, right up the lake in the opposite direction of the increased current flow.
Adding to the concerns were the high winds, today forecast to blow sustained at 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 30mph. The real problem with the wind, however, was the direction: It’s blowing out of the west, right up the lake in the opposite direction of the increased current flow.
The combination of high water current with opposing high winds have churned up the lake, creating hazardous navigational issues. Unprotected areas of the lake already were punishing local anglers.
The combination of high water current with opposing high winds have churned up the lake, creating hazardous navigational issues. Unprotected areas of the lake already were punishing local anglers.
Areas of the lake resembled a washing machine.
Areas of the lake resembled a washing machine.
Local anglers fishing near ramps were cavitating through the rough seas in the lower end of Pickwick Lake.
Local anglers fishing near ramps were cavitating through the rough seas in the lower end of Pickwick Lake.
There is a further danger in the rough waters of the quickly rising Pickwick Lake.
There is a further danger in the rough waters of the quickly rising Pickwick Lake.
Flotsam is being washed into the lake, increasing the dangers of running in the rough waters.
Flotsam is being washed into the lake, increasing the dangers of running in the rough waters.
A number of logs were found bobbing in the waters on a short foray into the lake.
A number of logs were found bobbing in the waters on a short foray into the lake.
This boat seemed to be swallowed by a high wave.
This boat seemed to be swallowed by a high wave.
That makes it very difficult to detect some large logs floating right at the surface. These navigational dangers were only being visible when they bobbed up at the top of the waves.
That makes it very difficult to detect some large logs floating right at the surface. These navigational dangers were only being visible when they bobbed up at the top of the waves.
And some of the floaters were huge. This massive log was almost as big around as the front deck of my boat, and it floating diagonally in the water with just a few inches of timber above the water.
And some of the floaters were huge. This massive log was almost as big around as the front deck of my boat, and it floating diagonally in the water with just a few inches of timber above the water.
When the huge log surfaced for a few seconds, it was clearly a danger to any boater running hard through the rough lake.
When the huge log surfaced for a few seconds, it was clearly a danger to any boater running hard through the rough lake.
This boater would likely not be able to see some of the larger floating logs.
This boater would likely not be able to see some of the larger floating logs.