Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Dam
Lake Taneycomo is the White River below Table Rock Dam, held back by Ozark Beach Dam at Forsyth. It runs right past downtown Branson, and its level rises and falls with what Table Rock Dam releases.
| Gauge | Level (ft) | 24 hr | Water temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below Table Rock Dam | — | — | 57.7°F |
| Lake Taneycomo at Branson (College of the Ozarks) | 701.07 | +0.38 | 56.3°F |
| Lake Taneycomo at Ozark Beach Dam (Forsyth) | 700.72 | +0.20 | — |
Table Rock Dam release, last 48 hours
Today's projected generation: 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., up to 80 MW (about 5,300 cfs); 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., up to 125 MW (about 8,200 cfs). Full schedule
Below Bull Shoals Dam
Below Bull Shoals Dam the White River runs cold and clear through Arkansas trout country, past Cotter and Calico Rock. The Norfork River joins it at Norfork, adding whatever Norfork Dam releases.
Bull Shoals Dam release, last 48 hours
Today's projected generation: All day, up to 140 MW (about 9,500 cfs). Full schedule
Norfork Dam release, last 48 hours
Norfork's projected generation today: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., up to 33 MW (about 2,600 cfs); 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., up to 33 MW (about 2,600 cfs).
| Gauge | Flow (cfs) | Stage (ft) | 24 hr flow change | Water temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below Bull Shoals Dam (Bull Shoals) | — | — | — | 58.1°F |
| Below Bull Shoals Dam (near Fairview) | — | — | — | 59.9°F |
| White River near Norfork | 2,000 | 4.73 | −4,590 | — |
| White River at Calico Rock | 2,050 | 2.34 | −220 | 56.3°F |
USGS data are provisional. Release figures are the Corps' hourly tailwater flow at each dam.
How to read it
Flow is in cubic feet per second (cfs). With the turbines off, a dam releases a few hundred cfs or less. With turbines running, the release climbs into the thousands and the river below rises fast.
Wading anglers look for low water, which usually means little or no generation. Boaters and drift fishermen do better when the dams are running. Either way, check today's generation schedule before you go, and treat it as a guide, since it can change without notice.
Questions
Is Lake Taneycomo part of the White River?
Yes. Lake Taneycomo is the stretch of the White River between Table Rock Dam and Ozark Beach Dam at Forsyth, running past downtown Branson. It rises and falls with the water Table Rock Dam releases.
Why is the water so cold below the dams?
Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork dams release water from deep in their lakes, where it stays cold all year. That cold water is why Lake Taneycomo and the White River below Bull Shoals hold trout.
How fast does the river rise when a dam generates?
Quickly. When turbines start, the release can jump from a trickle to thousands of cubic feet per second within the hour. If you wade, check the generation schedule first and get out at the first sign of rising water.
Where do these numbers come from?
Lake Taneycomo levels, river flow and water temperatures come from U.S. Geological Survey gauges. Dam releases come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and generation schedules from the Southwestern Power Administration. We read them every hour.
Sources
- USGS 07053600, Lake Taneycomo at College of the Ozarks, and USGS 07053820, 07053450, 07054502, 07054527, 07057370 and 07060500, read hourly
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CWMS Data: hourly tailwater flow at Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork dams
- Southwestern Power Administration: Generation Schedule, read hourly
This page is independent and not affiliated with any of these agencies. Conditions below the dams change fast, so go by what you see on the water.