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🎣 Tailwaters (trout) · below Norfork Dam

Norfork Tailwater: Flow, Generation Schedule & Trout Report

Right now: Not generating now (348 cfs at 11:00 AM CT, USACE).

Updated

The lake above Norfork Dam: Norfork Lake level and bass report →

The North Fork River from Norfork Dam to where it joins the White River at Norfork.

Wading? Water below the dam can rise several feet fast when generation starts. Check the schedule below before you go in, and get out when the water starts rising. Wading safety →

Dam release (actual)

348 cfs
Latest hourly outflow from Norfork Dam, 11:00 AM CT, Sun Nov 8 (USACE). 24-hr peak 1,253 cfs, low 252 cfs.
Not generating now: minimum flow (under 1,000 cfs)

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

Last 12 hours
Sun 11 AM348 cfs
Sun 10 AM1,078 cfs
Sun 9 AM890 cfs
Sun 8 AM639 cfs
Sun 7 AM257 cfs
Sun 6 AM252 cfs
Sun 5 AM257 cfs
Sun 4 AM257 cfs
Sun 3 AM270 cfs
Sun 2 AM356 cfs
Sun 1 AM1,253 cfs
Sun 12 AM1,218 cfs

Norfork Dam release schedule

Not generating now (minimum flow): 348 cfs
Actual release last updated 11:00 AM CT, Sun Nov 8 (USACE). Generating = above 1,000 cfs.

Planned: Today, Sunday November 08, 2026

Generation scheduled 7 of 24 hours, peak 33 MW (≈2,583 cfs).

Hourly plan
MW by hour ending, CT (SWPA)
1 AM0
2 AM0
3 AM0
4 AM0
5 AM0
6 AM0
7 AM0
8 AM33
9 AM33
10 AM33
11 AM0
12 PM0
1 PM0
2 PM33
3 PM33
4 PM33
5 PM33
6 PM0
7 PM0
8 PM0
9 PM0
10 PM0
11 PM0
12 AM0

Planned: Tomorrow, Monday November 09, 2026

Generation scheduled 6 of 24 hours, peak 33 MW (≈2,583 cfs).

Hourly plan
MW by hour ending, CT (SWPA)
1 AM0
2 AM0
3 AM0
4 AM0
5 AM0
6 AM0
7 AM0
8 AM33
9 AM33
10 AM0
11 AM0
12 PM0
1 PM0
2 PM0
3 PM0
4 PM33
5 PM33
6 PM33
7 PM33
8 PM0
9 PM0
10 PM0
11 PM0
12 AM0

Actual release, last 24 hours

Hourly releases
cfs, newest first (USACE)
Sun 11 AM348
Sun 10 AM1,078
Sun 9 AM890
Sun 8 AM639
Sun 7 AM257
Sun 6 AM252
Sun 5 AM257
Sun 4 AM257
Sun 3 AM270
Sun 2 AM356
Sun 1 AM1,253
Sun 12 AM1,218
Sat 11 PM1,169
Sat 10 PM1,099
Sat 9 PM1,010
Sat 8 PM890
Sat 7 PM744
Sat 6 PM568
Sat 5 PM257
Sat 4 PM252
Sat 3 PM252
Sat 2 PM252
Sat 1 PM257
Sat 12 PM270

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

2 turbines, 92 MW, about 7,200 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 Norfork 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 14).

USGS gauges on this water
  • USGS 07060000: North Fork River below Norfork Dam (water temperature only)

Water temperature & clarity

🌡️ Water temperature

56°F North Fork River below Norfork Dam: water tempUSGS 07060000, 11:15 AM CT, Sun Nov 8

💧 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.

Wading and boating safety below Norfork Dam

  • Check the plan before you go in. Look at today's schedule above. Plans change without notice, so keep watching the water too.
  • Water rises fast when generation starts. It can come up several feet in a short time, and the current gets much stronger. The rise reaches you later the farther downstream you are.
  • Know the warning signs. Water creeping up the bank, rocks going under, more floating leaves and sticks, or a faster current mean it's time to get out. Don't wait to be sure.
  • Horns or sirens mean leave the water. Some dams sound them before generation starts. Get off low gravel bars and islands right away.
  • Wade with a partner, use a wading staff and good soles, and wear a life jacket in a boat. The water is cold all year, so dress for a fall in.
  • In a boat, anchor only from the front, and never in fast current.

Not sure? Call the SWPA generation line at (866) 494-1993 and enter lake number 14, or the Corps' Bull Shoals and Norfork release recording at (870) 431-5311.

This week's trout fishing report

Norfork Tailwater

Note: On Feb. 1, 2026, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission changed trout limits for Norfork tailwater. Anglers in the Norfork tailwater may keep two rainbow trout daily; all trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately.

From the AGFC Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report, 2026-11-05. Quoted as published; AGFC's separate lake and tailwater entries decide which page each part appears on.

🐟 Fish care tip · Trout
Watch your line with bait

With live bait, set the hook before the trout swallows it. Deep hooking sharply raises mortality.

Source: AGFC: Keep your trout healthy for the next angler on the line · All trout care tips →

Official sources for this water

Trout ID: rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook →