Checked the Corps numbers this morning and we're at about 454.8 feet, which puts us roughly 7 feet under full pool. Here's the page I keep refreshing if anyone else likes to watch it: Corps real-time lake data for Greers Ferry
What gets me is how fast it went. We topped out around 462.7 back in late June and the low so far this year was 454 on Feb 2. So it's not the worst we've seen, but it's still dropping. I went back through my notes and the fall lows were 453.6 in Nov 2022 and 453.95 in Nov 2024. If it keeps sliding another foot or so, this year lands right in that same company. I'd bet on that more than I'd bet on a wet November.
I've been around this lake a long time and a seven-foot drop in fall isn't anything new. It still catches people every year, though, and I notice the ones who didn't get their pontoon out in time are the loudest about it. Anybody still have one sitting on a lift or tied up? A couple of boats I walked past last week looked like they were hanging on by the bumpers.
Two questions for those who've been out recently:
1. Which ramps are still usable at this level without dragging bottom or having to back the trailer halfway to Missouri? I've heard mixed things and would rather hear it from somebody who was actually there than guess.
2. Did you get your boat out already, or are you leaving it in till it gets cold? I'm in the "pull it before Thanksgiving" camp, but my neighbor says that's too early.
On my end, the old dog still thinks the pontoon is hers and sulks at the door when I load the truck with the cover and the tie-downs. I've been spending my evenings re-stitching the seams on the boat cover so it's ready, which beats standing on the bank staring at the waterline.
So what are you all seeing out there? And does anyone remember a year when it came back up before Christmas? My memory says it's rare, but I'd like to be proven wrong.