Lake Taneycomo (Table Rock Tailwater): Flow, Generation Schedule & Trout Report

Dam release (actual)

cfs = cubic feet of water per second (about 7.5 gallons each).

Table Rock Dam release schedule

Planned: Today, Sunday November 08, 2026

Generation scheduled 9 of 24 hours, peak 150 MW (≈9,848 cfs).

Planned: Tomorrow, Monday November 09, 2026

Generation scheduled 9 of 24 hours, peak 150 MW (≈9,848 cfs).

Actual release, last 24 hours

MW = megawatts of power the dam plans to make. More MW means more water released. What these terms mean

4 turbines, 230 MW, about 15,100 cfs at full generation. SWPA plans are in megawatts and can change without notice; cfs figures are estimates. Official SWPA schedules.

All dam release schedules →

River gauge

No USGS gauge is reporting river flow below Table Rock Dam right now. The release figure above is the Corps of Engineers' measured dam outflow, which is the water coming into this river. For a second check, see the official SWPA schedule or call SWPA at (866) 494-1993 (lake number 12).

Lake Taneycomo level

Water temperature & clarity

🌡️ Water temperature

💧 Clarity

No clarity reading this week (no USGS turbidity gauge here and no guide note on clarity in the AGFC report).

USGS readings below the dams are the temperature of water released from deep in the lake, which is what keeps the river cold enough for trout. They are not the lake surface temperature. Turbidity: under 5 FNU is generally clear water. Guide observations are quoted from the AGFC weekly report.

Trout fishing outlook

Missouri doesn't publish a weekly report for this water, so this is MDC's annual fishing prospects for Lake Taneycomo.

Lake Taneycomo is primarily a trout fishery. Approximately 90 percent of the fish that anglers catch are rainbow trout, with brown trout comprising another 6 to 7 percent of the catch. A limited fishery for other species is present within the lower part of the lake, primarily below Rockaway Beach. Rainbow and brown trout populations in Lake Taneycomo are maintained through releases of hatchery-reared trout. Approximately 560,000 rainbow trout and 15,000 brown trout are stocked annually into Lake Taneycomo. The first 1.5 miles of Lake Taneycomo is heavily influenced by hydropower releases. During heavy generation periods, this reach contains deep, swift-moving water. Safe fishing is restricted to shoreline areas and drifting in boats at these times. During non-generation periods, the entire area becomes a series of shallow, slow-moving pools interspersed with a few short, shallow riffles. Boating is difficult and hazardous under these conditions and nearly all anglers either wade or fish from the bank. Deeper water limits further downstream wade fishing and boat fishing becomes progressively more popular downstream. Cooper Creek Access, Rockaway Beach Access, and Empire Electric Park each have covered public fishing docks that are accessible to disabled users. Several fishing docks are also available to the public in the Branson Lakeside RV Park and along the lakefront at the Branson Landing. Numerous privately-owned docks and resorts offer additional fishing access.

Table Rock Dam to Fall Creek: Due to bait restrictions and a 12”-20” protected slot limit, this area consistently maintains a higher fish density than the portions of the lake below Fall Creek. Here, anglers are required to immediately release all rainbow trout between 12” and 20". Quality sized rainbow trout are abundant in this area as a result of the slot limit and have increased even more in recent years. When surveyed in September 2024, the percentage of rainbow trout greater than 13" and 16” in this reach was 77% and 31%, respectively. In addition, several of the rainbow trout sampled were greater than 20”. Only artificial lures and flies may be used in the upper three miles from Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek. Soft plastics and natural and scented baits are prohibited in this area. No trout are stocked within this reach; however, densities remain high due to low harvest and fish immigration. Fly fishing is a popular form of angling in this part of the lake and scuds, sow bugs, and soft hackles are popular fly patterns. Fishing at night with streamers and stickbaits are effective methods for catching the larger sized trout in this area.

Below Fall Creek: Due to increased harvest and shorter retention time, the size structure of rainbow trout within this area reflects a put-and-take fishery. Stock size (greater than 11”) rainbow trout comprise the majority of the population below Fall Creek, however quality fish are still present. When surveyed in September 2024, 17% of rainbow trout sampled in this area were greater than 13" and 6% were greater than 16”. Routine stockings keep fish densities adequate throughout this area and the absence of a length limit for rainbow trout in this area improves the likelihood of keeping a limit of trout. Fishing with natural and scented baits is popular in this area in addition to artificial lures and flies.

Brown trout numbers in Lake Taneycomo have increased compared to previous years and quality size fish are abundant. During the September 2024 electrofishing sample, 94% of the brown trout were greater than 13", 55% were greater than 16”, and 20% were greater than the minimum length limit of 20”. Anglers are encouraged to practice good catch and release habits for the trout they catch in the lake, especially in the fall when dissolved oxygen levels are low. Reducing excessive handling of fish and minimizing fight time will help to ensure fish remain healthy for future years.

From the Missouri Department of Conservation Lake Taneycomo Prospect Report.

Official sources for this water

• Southwestern Power Administration generation schedules (Table Rock Dam is lake number 12)
• USACE water data (actual dam outflow, hourly) and the USACE Little Rock District water management page
• USGS 07053450: White River below Table Rock Dam near Branson, MO (water temperature only)
• USGS 07053500: White River near Branson, MO (flow, when reported)
• National Weather Service Springfield lake levels
• MDC fishing regulations (Lake Taneycomo has special trout rules)
• MDC Lake Taneycomo prospect report