Arizona Crappie Association

Fishing and Dock Talk => General Discussion => Topic started by: TRITOON on January 11, 2018, 12:38 PM

Title: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: TRITOON on January 11, 2018, 12:38 PM
 The Corp of Engeneers is planning on a devestating drop of lake level at Alamo Lake for what they call required maintenance. This is to replace the gate that was removed late last year. This release of 5000 cfs for 20 days in late February and early March would be very detrimental to the spawn this year and effect the fishing for several years. They were able to remove the gait without a drawdown and divers assured us that putting it back could be done in the same manner.
The Corps is asking for public comments so I implore everyone to voice their disapproval of these actions.
Comments capn be mailed to
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Los Angeles District
ATTN: Pam Kostka, CESPL-RGN-L
Los Angeles, Ca 90017

Or email
Pamela.k.kostka@usace.army.mil

Comments will be taken up to February 10 so send them now and often.
Thanks for the response I know this will bring
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: azbohunter on January 11, 2018, 01:29 PM
The craziness of Government continues, when that lake was so close to being in a dire situation because of low water levels for the past several years, we get one great year of moisture in the area to raise the lake to level that offers hope for the future. Now they want to drain it down again when we are in a exceptionally dry year! Only Government agencies seem to be some crazy to do something like this!
Thanks for posting this.. it needs to be shared too. I will post it on AZ Fishing Forum also.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: IAMMAC on January 14, 2018, 04:29 PM
Who wants to make a "form" letter that we can all send in?  I also think that a letter should be sent from each of the officers on behalf of the club.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Metalbndr on January 14, 2018, 06:54 PM
Fished Alamo on Saturday the 13th.  Free day because of the Martin Luther King Holiday. Free was a good bonus to good fishing.

When we got minnows at the store we got the hand out for the Corps Environmental impact statement.  Here is the link.  Please take a few minutes to read it. 

http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Portals/17/users/117/09/1909/Alamo_dam_PN.pdf?ver=2018-01-09-181714-643

From what I read in there, they plan to take the lake down to the level it was at at the end of 2016 using the water release to clean the silt out of the tunnel under the dam.  If I remember correctly they let out more water that fall to get the lake down and then it rained.  Deja Vu all over again.

The rational is that is the level the lake has to get to for the divers to be able to work without a decompression chamber.  The releases in February are to protect the endangered plants and animals below the dam. 

Since the lake has been this low before they don't see any issues with the fishing (see paragraph 3.2)  The crappie spawn doesn't hold a candle to a few Willow Fly Catchers. Fishing at Alamo is completely off the Corps radar on this.   

What I don't see in the document is if they will stop the draw down at 1085 or if they will lower it more to do the repairs they expect will be required. 

Do we have any old timers that fished in 1990 and would know if the lake was drained for the repairs then?

Unfortunately I don't think we have a snowball's chance in hell to keep this from happening.

My letter to the Corps is to ask that they don't lower the level below the 1085 and that if repairs are necessary that they be performed without draining the lake.

Sorry for the negative analysis but when you read the Environmental statement is clear what their priorities are.

Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on January 17, 2018, 05:22 AM
I fished the lake since it filled with water and it was a bass and bluegill meca I do not remember the lake being completely drained in the 90's? :dontknow: might have been lowered a bunch but not drained that I remember. I know for years g and f and state parks attempted to negotiate with the CORP to increase the minimum pool from 8% to 10 or 12% and the CORP refused to yet the first 5 years the lake was at 35% and was a big lake (the corp said to cure the dam :dontknow:) and it was unbelievable in years past if we got a winter storm approaching when it started to rain in LA (where the CORP) offices are they would start to release from Alamo, someone finally explained to them that not all rain that gets to LA makes it to AZ.

This draw down I fear is a disguise as maintenance (they could flush the spillways and drains in a few hours with big releases.) I am trying to confirm but my suspicion is that the environmental group is pushing for the big releases to wash out the Bill Williams river which they have been pushing for years and they are using the excuse of the "bulk head" and maintenance as an excuse.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on January 18, 2018, 04:47 AM
This is the history of Alamo lake level since the dam was finished at no time was the lake drained as you can see not even close in 1990. Maybe Piscolli can turn the graph right side up?
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: cousinlll on January 18, 2018, 05:24 AM
How about this....  See the attached
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on January 18, 2018, 06:33 AM
Thanks cousin Larry
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Piscolli on January 18, 2018, 09:39 AM
I just emailed Pamela and I hope everyone reading this will also. All I asked is that the draw down doesn't happen during the spawning months of Feb, March and April. Whether our words have an impact or not it is crucial that the CORP hears from us!
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: TRITOON on January 18, 2018, 12:50 PM
Keep it up everyone. Mark is getting calls from Pamela today because of the flack coming in to her. A meeting with Mark, G&F, and a bunch of others is being held right now at Wayside to see what else can be done. The letters and calls are really making an impact so well done.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on January 18, 2018, 05:09 PM
good news glad they are rattling the cage already.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: craigm on January 19, 2018, 07:51 AM
Sent an email ,basically mirrored Piscolli , mentioned membership in Sun City Conservation and Sportsmans Club and Arizona crappie Ass , fingers crossed
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on January 20, 2018, 05:13 AM
Need you comments sent in by Feb. 8th, as their "steering committee" meeting is on the 10th of Feb.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on January 29, 2018, 05:19 AM
If you haven't sent in your email or letter to the CORP protesting the plans to drop Alamo lake this spring please do so as soon as possible. It appears this proposed lake drop has very little to do with dam maintenance and more to do with the environmental group that wants the river below the dam "washed out". If you read the COPRS plans etc. they put very little importance on fishing and recreation on the lake. Lake has suffered through years of drought and now that it has some water they want to grab it. If you look at procedures the reason the releases from Alamo are year round 25cfs during the winter and 50 during the summer which has caused the lake to drop continuously in order to water the riparian area on the river.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on February 02, 2018, 05:33 AM
Only a few more days to send in your concerns about the lake being dropped, I got word last night that if the CORPS plans go through BOTH ramps will be out of water, if that happens you better make sure you have a 4x4 vehicle in attempts to launch anything bigger than a car topper boat.
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Stevert on February 02, 2018, 10:22 AM
Here is what I e-mailed Pamela

Dear Pamela;

My name is Steve Seivert.  Recently, I learned of the Corp’s desire to drain Alamo Lake for a period of 20 days at a rate of 5,000 CFS.   Inasmuch as this action could start in the next week or two and extend to a peak by March 15, 2018, my concern is that this draw down will happen right as the Crappie/Bass spawn is in full swing.  An event like this will surely affect the future population of those species unless it’s done after the spawn is over.  It seems to me that if this event truly has to occur, it would benefit everyone to wait until the summer months.  Has that been considered?

Lastly, what elevation will the lake level be at when that release is finished? 

Thank you for your consideration.  I look forward to your response.       
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on February 10, 2018, 06:54 AM
This is your last day to submit your concerns
Title: Re: Alert: Alamo is in jeopardy
Post by: Fishless on February 13, 2018, 12:39 PM
Well everybody hold your breath word is the CORP will make their decision this Friday 2/16 on whether to draw down Alamo :banghead: the rumor and fear is if they decide to go ahead with the draw down they may start to release water immediately :crybaby2: >:(
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