Real Time Release for Denison Dam
Knowing the current waterflow is useful when planning a trip to Denison Dam. Typically, the Striped Bass tend to be more active when there is current flowing in the tailrace. The flow could be from opening the floodgates, generating power, or a combination of the two.
If you live reasonably close to the area, the information posted by the Corps of Engineers (COE) Hydropower Operations could be considered near real time.
If you do not live nearby, it is a good starting point for comparing the planned generation times scheduled by the Southwestern Power Administration to the hydropower release data posted by the COE Hydropower Operations.
Although the schedule can change without notice, we have found the information has helped us plan trips and prepare for faster or slower current flow when we fish the area!
Method of Procedure
Step 1. Go to the Corps of Engineers Hydropower Operations website for Denison and Lake Texoma [Click COE Hydropower Operations].
- a. Note the "Red Fan" in the top section of the page. Is it turning?
- Yes, then turbine(s) are online and power is being generated.
- No, then the turbines are offline.
- See picture below for reference.
- b. Next, proceed to the middle section of the page titled "Latest readings for Denison/Texoma Lake Hydropower" and annotate the following for reference:
- 1. Data Processed - March 14th 2023, 1:20pm
- 2. Gage(s) - DENI - abbreviation for Denison Dam
- 3. Latest 1 hour data - Today at 1:15 PM latest available data
- 4. Number of turbines online: 2 / 2 units
- 5. Latest outflow (turbines only): 12784 does not include water released though the gates
- 6. Optional - Total hydropower generation: 94 MW optional, mainly reaffirms the turbine outflow
- See picture below for reference
- c. Then, proceed to the bottom section of the page and review the following:
- 1. Time Series data for DENI - section provides data posted every 15"
- 2. Time - Date - INST - data posted for a 15" interval
- If blank, data has not been reported yet as it is the next interval to occur
- If "missing" indicated, interval has passed but data has not posted yet
- Else, not blank, then refer to the next step 1.C.3 below.
- 3. Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) - column provides the reported waterflow produced by the turbines for the 15" interval unless blank or "missing" is indicated
- 4. Optional - Click on the link "Latest observations for DENI." which will take you to the Flood Control Status page.
- See picture below for reference.
Step 2. Go to the Southwestern Power Administration - Generation Schedules page [Click SWPA Generation Schedules]
- Select the day you would like to review.
- In the example, we review Tuesday, March 14, 2023 to determine when the power plant intends to generate power.
- Refer to the picture below, note that DEN represents Denison Dam, and review the following:
- 1. Column DEN indicates 24 of the one hour intervals for Tuesday, the plant plans to generate 94MW of electricity.
- 2. Denison Dam's plant has 2 units that can generate 80MW and produce 10,400cfs which is less than the 94MW planned per the schedule
- 3. Brief explanation on how to read the table and an example for a given one-hour interval.
- Next, select the following day to determine the "generating schedule pattern".
- In the example, we review Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
- Refer to the picture below and review the following:
- Column DEN indicates:
- 16 of the one hour intervals units will be offline.
- 8 of the one hour intervals, the plant plans to generate 92MW of electricity.
- Column HR indicates:
- Units will be generating power from 0500-1000 in the morning
- Units will be generating power from 1900-2200 in the evening
Step 3. Collate the information obtained from the COE Hydropower Operations' and SWPA Generations Schedules, summarizing as follows:
- As of March 14, 2023 at 1:20PM:
- Two units are online generating power and producing 12784cfs of waterflow.
- The power plant has been online for more than 24 hours continuously.
- The power plant is scheduled to run all day Tuesday until midnight.
- Anticipating March 15, 2023:
- Units will remain offline until 0500 Wednesday morning.
- Between 0500-1000, the power plant will be generating power.
- Afterwards, units will be offline until 1900 Wednesday evening.
- Between 1900-2200, the power plant will be generating power.
- Subsequently, fishing plans are as follows:
- If we plan to fish Tuesday, we will bring surfcasting gear and work the strong current flow since the river will up and the Stripers will be holding in the current.
- If we shift to Wednesday, then we will also bring fly fishing gear and waders to work the slower current as the waterflow draws down when the power plant is offline.
- Additionally, we will plan to work the deeper pools that will form as the river drops between 1000 and 1900.
- Moreover, we will bring bait fishing tackle as well. And, worst case scenario fish the Oklahoma Wall with float and jig rigs.
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