MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. -- The Army Corps of Engineers began releases this morning thought one sluice gate of Norfork Dam to augment water releases from a hydropower turbine.
The sluice gate releases began around 11 a.m. today and will occur for up to 10 hours per day, Monday through Thursday, until the lake is lowered to elevation 553. The total release mirrors a typical release through both hydropower turbines at full power. The one hydropower turbine will remain in constant full power throughout the day.
Corps personnel will reevaluate the release schedule if heavy rains occurs in the watershed.
Corps personnel will continue monitoring water quality. Dissolved oxygen levels have been boosted with sluice gate releases.
One of the two hydropower turbines at Norfork Dam is undergoing rehabilitation work on the intake gate. One lane of the Highway 177 across Norfork Dam was closed to allow for equipment used in the rehabilitation work. That closure has been lifted. Once the lake level is lowered enough to allow work to continue, a notice about an addition lane closure will be published.
Boaters near the dam are advised to use extra caution since sluice gate releases are higher velocity than hydropower releases and very turbulent.
For more information about Norfork Lake call 870-425-2700.
Release no. 16-073