Where did the Columbia River Water go?

Tar Heel · 06-24-2007, 12:54 PM

I fished for smallies the Bonneville pool last Tuesday,and the water was already dropping from a week earlier. Then I went Saturday, and it was the lowest and muddiest) I have seen it in my two years of fishing for smallies there. Some of my fave spots were 4' above the water line, and the water was turbid as all get out. I know the Corps. keeps messing w/ water levels at the dams, but it's also been blowing HARD from the west now for over a week, and according to the weather.com, blew 50mph at The Dalles Friday night. I have seen the wind blow water out of duck hunting marshes and shalow estuaries before, but never thought of it doing that in a big lake/river like the Col.R. Anyone know if the wind could have contributed for a 3-5' drop in water levels between Cascade Locks Hood River? Hope it clears some this coming week, as fishing was poor in the low muddy water.

team doyle · 06-24-2007, 01:22 PM

fished out of cascade locks this morning (sunday).
it's down 2 feet from friday's level.
lots of prop-busters out there today.
i got blown off the water around 11:30.
my trolling battery had darn near given up...

joe

Pete · 06-24-2007, 02:27 PM

Columbia River water is managed for multiple purposes. In the spring the river runs high to help move salmon smolts to sea. Once the smolts are clear of the river, they start retaining water so there will be adequate supplies later in the year to release water to help keep the river from becoming toxicly hot of upstream fish and for electric generation. Very complicated, since transportation, irrigation and flood control are also factors in river management. Add to that that there are different rules at each dam, depending on their founding legislation.

Trout,myster · 06-24-2007, 02:29 PM

Not sure about the water, but watch the river, guys! I've been at Rufus when the river whips to 8 foot swells in less time than you can stow the bowmount. I rode two of them out to get back across the creek in my Crestliner, but I wouldn't do it again if given an option.

Hunt'nFish · 06-25-2007, 09:31 AM

Humm... that explains why the CR was so dirty this weekend.
Man I had a tough time on spots that normally produce well.
Only picked up about 10-12 fish w/ no size to speak of.
Everything just seemed "off" if you know what I mean.
Hunt'nFish

Tar Heel · 06-25-2007, 04:25 PM

Looks like there was a Tournament out of HR on Sunday, and the results didnt look as good as one would expect. It is too bad-- those tourney guys must have had a heck of a time w/ the wind. I still wonder if that huge wind blew a ton of water upstream through last week and Friday night. All That b4 I get up at 4am to go fishing again, sure would be nice to know the River is so muddy and low.

B-RUN STEELIE · 06-25-2007, 05:42 PM

Ummm.. guys... you need to know where it came from before you can wonder where it went. It didn't "go" anywhere.. it never came. You following me on this ??

Sublime · 06-25-2007, 06:30 PM

My guess is The Ocean...

boblag · 06-27-2007, 07:28 AM

I'm thinking about heading up there today. Does anybody know if it's cleared up?

Tar Heel · 06-27-2007, 03:48 PM

SORRY, I DIDNT MREAN TO IMPLY IT WOULD STAY THAT WAY LONG. IT PROBALY CLEARED UP REAL QUICK AT LOW FLOWS. AT LEAST I HOPE SO, AS I AM GOING THURSDAY. sEE YOU ON THE WATER!

boblag · 06-28-2007, 06:56 AM

I went to Bonneville Pool on Weds. and the visibility was pretty good.

Tar Heel · 06-28-2007, 06:06 PM

Fished Ceilo today. Pretty good bite early, slowed down early afternoon- summer! Weeds are becoming a problem for c baits, so tried swim bais. Not to many strike, but lost a nice one on my stinger hook. The one that got away! What do people do about late summer weeds on the mighty columbia? Just 2d season on Col. R.