07/22/2025
Good info about how they remove water from the system.
Why Table Rock Lake Empties First
If you’ve ever spent time around Table Rock Lake when the lake level is high after repeated heavy rainfall events, you may have noticed something curious. The water levels here start dropping before you see any change at nearby Beaver Lake or even the massive Bull Shoals Lake downstream. The gradual drop in lake levels after reservoirs fill up might seem random, but it’s part of a deliberate pattern. Behind this carefully managed drop lies a story of geography, topography, engineering and a flood control strategy that protects thousands of people across northwest Arkansas and southern Missouri. Although Table Rock has more storage than Beaver, it also receives more uncontrolled local runoff, meaning it will fill up nearly twice as fast for the same storm. This makes lowering Table Rock’s flood pool first, a priority.
Table Rock, Beaver and Bull Shoals are three of five major flood control reservoirs located along the White River, each serving multiple roles. These include reducing flood risks, generating hydropower, supplying drinking water and offering popular spots for recreation. These three lakes sit like steppingstones along the main river’s path and work together as a coordinated system. The other two reservoirs, Clearwater and Norfork, also provide these important benefits but sit outside the main stem of the White River.
However, anyone familiar with lake level changes may notice a pattern: Table Rock tends to be drawn down first, well before Beaver and Bull Shoals. This is not a coincidence, it’s a deliberate part of a larger flood risk management strategy controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District.
To read the full article visit ➡️ https://www.army.mil/article/287208
