Levels varied according to the west point dam schedule, the cities downstream continued to stay here. The first ramp that you will encounter on a float from the dam is a newly constructed ramp on the eastern shore of the river downtown the small town of West Point, Ga. Due to continuing construction, the lake would not be allowed to fill any higher until April 30, 1975, after another power unit was completed. During low-water conditions, my best advice is to travel slowly and be mindful of obstructions lying just beneath the surface. Press enter or select the go button to submit request. StubHub Ticket Marketplace. This act provided that the project be constructed for flood control hydroelectric power generation,recreation, navigation,and fish and wildlife management. A Project funded in part through the Alabama Tourism Department. Surrounded by deep forests and rolling fields, West Point Lake, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, extends 35 miles along the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia state line. Why aren't the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layers showing on the ESRI Map?Possible reasons: Note: Your zoom level may have changed. During the summer, convective thunderstorms are the leading source of rainfall with the occasional tropical storm. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek Park, Rocky Point Park, and McGee Bridge Park. Official E-Mail of Army West Point Athletics. 0 As a result, the United States Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1962. In additionflooding spreads further into Lanettwith South Gilmer Avenue and 11th Street flooded. [17] This had the ability to damage the economics around the 1996 Olympic Games and further increase the amount of daily fines by $10,000. Locked padlock The Chattahoochee River flows in a southwest direction for 235 miles (378km) to arrive at the West Point Dam after starting in the Blue Ridge Mountains in north Georgia. This access also has a nice concrete ramp and gravel parking area. Prior to West Point Dam going into operation in 1975, West Point had experienced an average of one flood a year every year since 1900, a flood being defined as having water in the street on West 3rd Avenue in front of the present location of CenterState Bank. West Point Lake begins at West Point Dam, 201.4 river miles (324.1 river km) north of the mouth of the Chattahoochee River, which is just north of the Jim Woodruff Dam or 3.2 river miles (5.1 river km) north of West Point, GA. West Point Lake is within 50 air miles (80 air km) of many semi-major cities in Georgia and Alabama. Another very enjoyable way to catch these feisty river bream is with a long road and popping bugs. 1-877-TIX-ARMY (849-2769) E-Mail - Register Today! Index to Web Pages - Find dams, gages, water management subjects, etc. This flooding caused much property damage in the local area. The most important item in the boat for this type of fishing is a good foot-controlled trolling motor and fresh batteries. Its not uncommon to catch 30-plus bream on a short trip, and Ive salvaged more than one tough day of bass fishing with a good, old-fashioned bream-catching extravaganza. Flood waters enter parking lots near Fire House and 911 Center. Expect 200 to 300 businesses and homes in West Point to be flooded out. A good day can yield a catch of all three species. For my springtime recreation, theres nothing like heading to the river, hoping that this is the year that my 10-pounder will come. 20 Up-and-Comers to Watch in the West Point Dam Generation Schedule Industry First Aid For Eye Emergencies Certainly not known physical habitat will attempt to meet this point dam at location The author fishes this small lake from his kayak. Equipment needs to be moved. Only one bird is on this tracked list, the bachman's sparrow, along with 19 plants that include a sunflower, azalea, and a strawberry plant. The West Point Dam and Powerhouse at sunrise in March 2012. Major flooding occurs. The stretch of the river that I fish from my kayak most frequently lies between the tailrace of West Point Dam and the Airport boat ramp at Shawmut. This beautiful stretch of tailrace, perfect for a kayak or jonboat, offers good fishing for a variety of species. West Point Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the West Point Dam on the Chattahoochee River. The purpose of this booklet is to help parents understand and meet the unique challenges of having a son or daughter attend West Point. Highway 29 on left bank22 city blocks of West Point businesses floodand 5 blocks of residences on left bank flood. The river level below the dam can rise significantly due to the release of water used in the generation of hydropower. This ramp is about 3.25 miles downriver from the ramp in the town of West Point, Ga. The schedules are updated. Theres almost always a panfish hanging around, and Ive been pleasantly surprised many times with a sharp strike from a bass cruising the shallows for his next meal. Also in 1966, a team discovered sites of archaeological significance and important sites were studied until 1971 before the lake was filled. WEST POINT LAKE NEAR WEST POINT, GA Important Legacy real-time page Monitoring location 02339400 is associated with a LAKE, RESERVOIR, IMPOUNDMENT in TROUP COUNTY, GEORGIA. Water enters into West Point Fire Headquarters. While its very possible to have a successful outing during periods of generation or when no generation is occurring, your approach will need to be altered accordingly. A couple of my favorites are Senkos and Trick Worms. For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov. Major to serious flooding occurs. Wood and vegetation that stood high and dry is now flooded. Typically, a simple Texas rig is my go-to. Bankfull is reached in many locations especially on the Alabama side or right bank of the river downstream from the river gauge. There are two ramps directly downstream of the West Point dam, and either one will make a fine exit point for a float trip. CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER BELOW WEST POINT DAM, GA. Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps, Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps, Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks, Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks. It has a 321 feet (98m) long and 164.5 feet (50.1m) deep power generation building which houses three main 48.8 MW units and one small 3.3 MW unit on the western portion of the dam and a 350 feet (110m) spillway on the eastern portion, both which are controlled via microwave link at Walter F. George Lake with a local override. Another option is to put in and paddle upriver before you begin fishing. Construction of the dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1962 for flood control, hydroelectric power, navigation, fish and wildlife development and general recreation. I use the lightest bullet-head sinker I can get away with that will still give my worm a nice, smooth fall. Evacuations are required. Preteens and visitors with disabilities can also fish in a pond at Hardley Creek Park. Annual (Year by year) My all-time favorite technique during periods of generation is to troll against the current and pitch soft plastics against flooded brush. Atlanta continually failed to reduce pollution and was threatened by the GEPD with fines and sewer bans. In my experience, lower units and props yield before underwater rocks and logs. The next closure was on June 21, 1973, as the river was routed through an opening for a future generator. Just be aware that the gate to the ramp is locked each night at 9 p.m. and is not reopened until the following morning. The lake and other parts of the region contains soils with high iron-oxides and are clay-rich that make Georgia famous. The river level below the dam can rise significantly due to the . It would cost more than $100 million but would provide for flood control, a source of hydropower and public recreation. This ramp in the town of West Point is about 3 miles downriver from the West Point Lake Dam. At West Point Lake there are downstream flow requirements that must be met. Two snakes known to the area that are venomous are the copperhead and cottonmouth. Heading south from the ramp in downtown West Point, you will encounter the next access on the western shore of the river in Valley, Ala. at the Shawmut Airport. Hydroelectric generation keeps the river in a constant state of flux, so the old adage that you never fish the same river twice is especially true here. West Point Lake is a man-made reservoir located mostly in west-central Georgia on the Chattahoochee River and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The smaller percentage uses are: flood control, Fish and Wildlife, Area Redevelopment, and Navigation. The river is scenic along this stretch, and fishing opportunities are very good. George, Andrews, Woodruff. During the springtime, my presentation is slow, and my baits are on the smaller side. Hydropower Generation Schedules Hydropower Generation Schedules To view a hydropower generation schedule, select a power plant and date from the dropdowns. West Point Lake has the highest shoreline mileage and percentage of total shoreline miles allocated to public recreation areas of all USACE lakes in the ACF river basin. A goal of the ACF river basin is to maintain a 9 feet (2.7m) deep waterway on the Apalachicola River. Used for everything from hydroelectric power generation, drinking water and of course angling, the Chattahoochee is a vital resource. Predatory species will hide in these newly flooded areas and pick off tasty meals that pass by. GDEcD. I use my general purpose 5 weight fly rod and balsa popping bugs. Getting on the river in low-water conditions is an excellent way to learn the best paths between rocks and shoals, what types of cover are present, and learn potential areas to fish when the water rises. The road across the dam is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern time. For website corrections, write to [email protected], An official website of the United States government, National Environmental Policy Act and Planning Process, Effects Determination Guidance for Endangered & Threatened Species (EDGES), Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Depending on water level, the dam holds back anywhere from 442,295 to 774,798 acre-feet (545,563,000 to 955,699,000m3) of water. Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page All Rights Reserved. Official website of the Georgia Department of Economic Development 2023. All times are listed in local time. As stated above, the generation schedule is subject to change at anytime. [7] The purposes of the reservoir are to provide flood control, hydroelectric power, and water storage to aid the navigation of the lower Chattahoochee. Minor flooding begins. Big Hart McDuffie County, GA (706)595-2152 : MUNICIPAL BOAT LAUNCHING AREAS. This stretch of river lies between the Langdale Dam and Riverview Dam. Before hitting the river, check the current generation schedule. is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates If fishing or otherwise using the area below Hartwell Dam please use extreme caution. Mainly low places on West Point City Streets are flooded. As of 2012, 97 percent of sewage from the 1990s was removed and expected to keep improving. This resulted in a total of 56,638 acres (22,921ha) of land being acquired and owned by the USACE. Deliver vital engineering solutions, in collaboration with our partners, to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk. As the cities downstream continued to grow with new homes and businesses, the need to protect lives and property from flooding increased as well. USACE West Point Conducting Federal Boundary Line Inspection, West Point Lake Project Office Generation Schedules Southwestern provides a current day schedule - online using the links to the left and by telephone at 866-494-1993 - to keep the public informed about estimated generation at the projects from which we schedule power. Each year, thousands of anglers from across the southeast visit the lake to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Before hitting the river, check the current generation schedule. All of the piers provide access for persons with disabilities. Army A Club. The lake is surrounded by deep forests and rolling fields extending 35 miles along the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia state line. River levels varied according to the amount of rainfall, and flooding was not uncommon. In total, the lake has approximately 525 miles of shoreline. One of the highest crests of modern times prior to West Point Dam was 24.9 feet on February 261961. The West Point Lake Dam controls flooding of the river by managing seasonal variations in water flow. Upon hearing the horn, immediately get out of the river area and get to land on the side of the river. Lock Due to swift currents and underwater obstructions, a Carolina rig or even a shaky head will get hung often and cause lots of frustration. The easiest way to check is to call the corps generation information line at . All Rights Reserved. West Point Lake was filled from the river level at 565 feet (172m) above mean sea level (aMSL) to 617 feet (188m) aMSL. A clear, shallow, rocky flow quickly swells to a wide deluge. Prior to the construction of West Point Dam, the Chattahooche River flowed freely through the Valley area, including West Point, Georgia, and Valley and Lanett, Alabama, in its journey downstream. Generation is always subject to change from the recorded information, so always be aware of current conditions. YouTube Video of flood release, West Point Lake and upstream w/roadmap There is a small boat ramp at Langdale, also in Valley, Ala. Additionally, the rocks can be slippery. One of my favorite things to do on a hot summer afternoon is wade the shallows and cast my popping bug to exposed wood structure and deep pools. When the lake was flooded, the floodplain would contain two historic covered bridges that would be inundated. With the exception of personal property (a boat dock) and the prohibited areas, the public is allowed anywhere on this buffer as an issued permit does not allow private exclusive rights anywhere on USACE property. I typically focus on bass fishing during periods of generation, relegating my bream fishing for low-water conditions. Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and In 1998, two Federal Consent Decrees were ordered for the City of Atlanta to address its under-maintained wastewater system. West Point Lake is a man-made reservoir located mostly in west-central Georgia on the Chattahoochee River and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). [4]:4.2-4.3. United States. LnRiLWZpZWxkcy1hbmQtdGV4dFtkYXRhLXRvb2xzZXQtYmxvY2tzLWZpZWxkcy1hbmQtdGV4dD0iNTk3ZjcyZmExMGUwNjYwNDM2NTUxMzk4NmUzOWYwZGMiXSB7IG1hcmdpbi10b3A6IDVweDttYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tOiA1cHg7IH0g. Construction began in the mid-1960's and was completed in 1975, taking about ten years. 2023 Georgia Outdoor News. During the summer, a temperature difference of 15 degrees is normal, and the water is oxygen-rich, which can make the bass much more aggressive than their counterparts on the main lake. This was not done earlier out of fear of flooding downstream during heavy rain periods. The large nearby reservoir, Lake West Point, was created by the Army Corps of Engineers by the building of the West Point Dam for water storage and hydroelectric power generation. Phone. I enjoy the cooler waters, scenic landscapes and lower fishing pressure that a river offers. Its not uncommon to land healthy 3- to 5-pounders, with larger bass possible. [3]:6, In 2016, West Point Lake recorded 36 parks, 2 marinas, and 7 campgrounds.