Low Water on Chilhowee Lake

Here are some good pics of the draw-down on Chilhowee Lake (9-25-08)

This is taken at the Calderwood Community at the end of the boat ramp on the peninsula. Notice that downstream from here all you see is rocks. I have noticed the past week or so that when there is no water being released from Calderwood Lake that between here and Tabcat there is really NO water moving. In fack looking from Tabcat upstream you see this same patter...no water...just rocks. Also in the foreground note the 16' log. There are several of these trees along the shore. I suspect these are from a log float or barge with logs. They are all about the same length and diameter.

There are four bridges at Abrams Creek. Here you see the old highway bridge and the railroad trestle next to it. To the right and out of sight is the current Hwy 129 bridge. Just upstream in Abrams Creek is the 4th bridge...actually just four iron pilings and two rock structures which began and ended the span. So, there are FOUR bridges which have spanned Abrams Creek!

This is Abrams Creek. Here the water is only about 4 inches deep and the stream is only 3 feet wide. From here all the way into Chilhowee Lake the water is colored with silt. Apparently what is happening is farther up stream the water is clear and running over polished rocks. Now as the level has been brought down the water is moving therefore Abrams Creek is flowing where it hasn't since 1957 causing the 51 year build-up of silt to be washed into the lake. If you or I did this we would be fined!

Here is a 1974 Ford Econoline van west of the Parkway Boat Ramp. In front of it are the remains of an older Ford sedan, possibly a Galaxy 500 type of car and we found a boat all in the same area.

Stacked rock walls on the Monroe County side across from Abrams Creek.

Today (9-29-08) the lake is 29' below normal pool (874').

Ballplay Creek on Tellico

I can't tell you the numbers of Great Blue Herons I have seen on the lakes. They are always at waters edge and seem to be territorial. We also saw several geese, kingfishers and heard several ducks in the brush along the creek.
This is at the back of Tellico on Ballplay Creek. At the end of the lake proper, contune paddling to the left of center and you will find the creek. It is a small body of water with a tunnel of trees so you can get out of the heat. Just as you enter the creek there is a mowed patch of land just enough to get on shore.
I counted three beaver dams and one small lodge in the creek. This one is the first I found. It is on the left about a 100 yards up stream. A tree had fallen across the stream or we would have gone farther. Phillip and I only made it to the 2nd set of power lines.