I am trying to watch the Lower Illinois water level for trout fishing. I have found sites that are giving me conflicting information. It is probably me not reading them correctly. I have attached the 2 charts I was looking at. One shows no turbines running but the other shows a flow of 1108 CFS which seems like a lot. I called the toll free number and it stated there were no turbines running. I thought no turbines running was a good thing for the next days fishing but I was surprised at the CFS. What am I missing. Thanks for your help.
It appears that the turbine and gate cfs totals the 1108 cfs.
That is my question. Why does one chart show no turbines running and the other one show they are generating 972 CFS? What are you fly fishers looking at to determine whether to go or not?
52 minutes difference between the 2 readings. Maybe they shut down between 1900 and 1952?
That’s a good point but I called the toll free number about 2100 and they stated none were running.
Just use nightcrawlers from the bait section at Walmart and you'll be good.
(PS: they are cheaper if you go after 10 PM (and can find anyone to unlock the bait cabinet).
(PS: they are cheaper if you go after 10 PM (and can find anyone to unlock the bait cabinet).
That makes sense if they were shut down at 1900. At 1900, they show turbines running. At 1952, they show no turbines running. At 2100 it is likely they would still be off. They often run during the daytime when demand is higher for electricity.
Thanks, you are right. The time difference on the charts makes sense and I missed it. Thanks again.
I am sorry I can't tell you anymore about fly fishing the lower Illinois river. I wish you luck
!
Thanks. I’m going to have fun figuring it out.
