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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 105
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 105 |
One question for the group....water level....when is it the lowest? Right now? As we hit winter but havent hit the winter storms?
The reason I ask is the water level on the new property is down a few inches from a 3-4 weeks ago. I assume as the temps cool and evaporation slows down it will regulate and then fill over the winter and spring? Sound right?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 347 |
I would think it is highly variable on so many factors. Seems like rainfall is so chaotic here that is always different from year to year.
To Dam or not to dam That isn't even a question
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712 Likes: 3
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
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Mike, I've lived in VA/WV for nearly 40 years. Most years -- depends on tropical storms and hurricanes, but mid-July through early September usually have the lowest water levels in ponds, streams, and rivers. Here is a link to average rainfall over a 30 year period of time. 30 Year Average Rainfall for Cities in US Monthly average rainfall stays pretty consistent year around in Virginia, at 3-4 inches per month, but there there are major differences in what happens with that water during different times of the year. The rains in July through early September are more typically from thunderstorm activity instead of two to three day light rain/snow at other times of the year. I tried to find historical average river flow charts from USGS, but I don't know where they went. But, in years gone by, I've looked at them closely, and it is very interesting to see how much the flow rate drops in rivers like the James, the Rappahannock, the Shenandoah, etc., during July, August and September. There will be two or three day spikes from thunderstorms, but in general they are down considerably from other times of the year. Regards, Ken
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,712 Likes: 3
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2006
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I didn't find exactly what I was looking for above, but this website Estimated Monthly Streamflow Entering Chesapeake Bay shows quite a bit of data. The link above is for 2010 compared to long term averages, above normal, and below normal. You can use the right-left arrows to look back about 30 years at the graphs, and they stay pretty consistent. I believe that the Chesapeake Bay Watershed very accurately represents the expected average water levels throughout Virginia. As I mentioned above, the lowest periods are basically July through September -- and from personal experience, that is really from about the second week of July through the second or third week of September. If I was going to build a new pond, that would be a good time to start moving dirt. In the eight years we've owned this place, our pond/s have generally always been above full pool until early July, and are back at full pool by around mid October. Except for this year, they have always been below full pool from sometime in July to sometime in late September. Ken
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 105
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OP
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 105 |
I know this is an old old thread but I finally made it back out to the property this past weekend....WOW the water level is as high as it can go and my 2.5 acre pond is probably 3 acres now. It is actually running out of the overflow (not a lot).
This is a great sign because the dam isnt leaking and the water levels are high, I guess it was only the drought in South Central VA!
The other good news is I actually saw some fish surfacing to eat, the first sign of fish I have had.
It was exciting to spend the weekend out there. It was cold (Mid to low 30's) but camping next to MY POND was pretty awesome and waking up to the pond views was even better.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910 |
Great news NCMike, we did have a dry year so maybe this year your pond will stay close to full pool.
Two ponds, 13 and 15 acres on the Mattaponi River.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
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If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Sep 2009
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In a drought.. Or when your ponds being drained
Last edited by Bluegillerkiller; 03/27/13 05:23 AM.
I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease.. BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Posts: 28,575 Likes: 852 |
Typically at the end of summer. But what is considered typical anymore?
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Joined: Jan 2012
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....water level....when is it the lowest? Before the dawn? Wait that's darkest not lowest....
Dale "When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water." - anonymous
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544
Hall of Fame Lunker
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Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,544 |
Dlowrance whats the specs on those fish in your avatar they look nice.. One looks like it has bulging eyeball syndrome as I call it..
I believe in catch and release. I catch then release to the grease.. BG. CSBG. LMB. HSB. RES.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 910 |
Water levels in our area of Va. is lowest right before the first hurricane that comes through,usually mid-Aug.-Sept. If we don't have a hurricane then you are screwed.
Two ponds, 13 and 15 acres on the Mattaponi River.
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Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
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My First
by Fishingadventure - 05/05/24 09:16 PM
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