River Stage reports?

  • aabfeh
    QCA
    Posts: 68
    May 28, 2004 at 6:11 pm #1214683

    What info do you guys use when evaluating river stages? I’ve really never cared about the posted stages because I’d just go if I had time. Still don’t have any time but would like to learn how to read the reports. As an example, I went out yesterday and the posted stage for Fulton (pool 13) was 6ft higher than the week before. The mid-pool areas that I fished were only 1-1.5 ft higher. I’m trying to keep better records of my trips but stage levels are worthless until I have a better understanding.

    fishman1
    Dubuque, Iowa
    Posts: 1030
    May 28, 2004 at 8:46 pm #306596

    Many times the reports you might see are a day or so old. Check this address http–water.mvr.usace.army.mil- That is the page I check from the Army Corps of Engineers. I believe it is the Rock Island district and it is updated hourly. I believe it has river levels and flow from Guttenburg on down the river.

    mountain man
    Coon Valley, WI.
    Posts: 1419
    May 30, 2004 at 3:48 pm #306738

    Whoa… another 2 feet by Friday. Getting real close to flood stage. I noticed small sections of Lower Blackhawk Park,(tent camping sites), had picnic tables or benches standing in water and most of the backwater up on pool 8 has some newly flooded trees. Boy does it feel good to have a day off.

    aabfeh
    QCA
    Posts: 68
    May 30, 2004 at 5:29 pm #306749

    That’s the problem I’m having with the river reports. When you say it’s coming up two feet, do you mean at the top, middle, or bottom of the pool. In order to get any meaning from these stage readings do you have to know exactly where the reporting station is?

    mountain man
    Coon Valley, WI.
    Posts: 1419
    May 30, 2004 at 10:37 pm #306760

    Good question… I am usually just looking for a trend

    bassbaron
    eldridge, ia
    Posts: 709
    May 30, 2004 at 11:37 pm #306764

    It tells you on the website where the station is located. Just based on my own experience i find the ones located in the pool to be more reflective of what is happening, i agree that the ones at the lock and dam dont seem to jive with what i am finding on a foot for foot basis. for example, pool 10 at mcgregor, beaver slough on 14, etc. Mt man is right, you do need to follow trends – the real issue for fishing is rising, falling, stable and by how much. i have been including river stage in my fishing log for 2 years now and make notes on depth of backwaters and “navigability” at various stages for future reference.

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