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Update on Water Conditions at Carlyle Lake

Just about one week out from the first ever IHSA State Bass Fishing State Tournament, the Sectionals are complete and teams are preparing for their trips to Carlyle Lake. Part of that preparation is bound to include some research on weather and water conditions around Carlyle Lake.

Back on March 12, 2009, in an article in which Corps Rangers Doug Wasmuth and Jody Harris of the Carlyle Lake Corps of Engineers were interviewed, we talked a bit about Lake conditions and the role they will play in tracking largemouth bass here. Doug and Jody reported that lake levels, rising or lowering water, and cloudiness will all play a role.

As of Wednesday evening (4/29/09), the National Weather Service's (www.weather.gov) forecast for Carlyle includes strong chances of rain tonight, Thursday, and Friday. Sunday and Monday of next week also provide for chances of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Jody Harris is on top of the weather forecasts for rain. "It (the rain) is going to muddy up the Lake a bit," reports Jody. "I have been out on the Lake, and the Lake is really not that cloudy, even after the two inches of rain we have had over the last couple of days."

Readers might recall the March 12 article in which Corps Ranger Doug Wasmuth reported that water clarity reports are tough to make given varying cloudiness from spot to spot. Jody reports that the recent rains have only been bringing in muddy water from the local creeks and runoff. The Kaskaskia River at the north end of the Lake will contribute to murkiness "only if it runs really heavy," said Jody.

The forecasts for rain do not worry Jody Harris. In fact, it gets him a little excited. Remember that the Corps' regulations direct them to drop the Lake down to the 443' elevation in the winter while bringing it back up to 445' by May 1. As of Midnight April 29, 2009, the Lake level was 444.31.

"We (the Corps) have been pretty aggressive trying to bring the Lake level down this winter," said Jody. Jody also says that it only takes a few days of rain to bring the Lake level up from its prior level. "Barring a six-inch rain, we kind of want some rain to bring Carlyle Lake up slowly which would be about perfect," said Jody. "Right now, given the rains it seems we've got coming, the elevation may be just perfect."