The Power Authority sucks the Lower River down starting November 1st, Does this affect the bass fishing? I have never been bass fishing this late in the year, once the Salmon and Steelhead start running in August all my fishing is focused on them! 

 

 

How do they suck the lower river down?  Do they start filling the holding reservoir?   That isn't huge so it can't take that long with the volume of water heading down the river.  I just don't understand where the water goes, either it goes over the falls or through the power plants, but it's got to go somewhere and it all ends up in the lower river.

How do they suck the lower river down?  Do they start filling the holding reservoir?   That isn't huge so it can't take that long with the volume of water heading down the river.  I just don't understand where the water goes, either it goes over the falls or through the power plants, but it's got to go somewhere and it all ends up in the lower river.

They suck it down with two 50 foot diameter pipes just above the falls.

They suck it down with two 50 foot diameter pipes just above the falls.

 

 

So where does that water go?

So where does that water go?

They run it through turbine generators at the power authority, and fill the reservoir. It comes out at the bottom of the power authority. 

They run it through turbine generators at the power authority, and fill the reservoir. It comes out at the bottom of the power authority. 

 

 

So it really doesn't affect the levels downstream of the power plants?   How long does it take to fill the reservoir?

So it really doesn't affect the levels downstream of the power plants?   How long does it take to fill the reservoir?

Yes, and starting Nov 1st they basically run as much water through the plant as they can. They do the same at night time during tourist season, they have to run so many gallons per minute over the falls during tourist season. They use the reservoir during the day to make up for the lack of water during the day. I'm pretty sure it doesn't take long to fill but the level stays low the whole winter.

So do we know yet how this affects the bass fishing this time of year?

So do we know yet how this affects the bass fishing this time of year?

I have some free time tomorrow ill do some research and get back to you. 

I have some free time tomorrow ill do some research and get back to you. 

Cool, looking forward to what you found out.  I went out on Lake Erie yesterday around me, and absolutely slaughtered the smallies.  It's not often on Erie this late in the year you can get a yak out.  So I am really looking forward to coming back up for one more swing at some smallie action before I completely switch over to steelhead.