Why does Possum Kingdom Lake have to release water for people to canoe down the River?
Possum Kingdom Lake was built to produce hydropower, which requires releasing water from the Lake through the turbines and into the River. The Morris Sheppard Dam hydropower electrical generating facility is considered a peaking plant. This means that if there is a need in the statewide power grid for an increase in voltage, the hydro-plant is put on-line, often with only 10 minutes notice. The power grid runs low on voltage during times of peak usage of electrical power, such as in the afternoons of hot summer days. Since the Morris Sheppard Dam hydropower electrical generating facility is called into service frequently in the summertime, water is released frequently. Water released into the river goes directly into Lake Granbury, making it appear to be constant level since it receives this continual inflow of water, however, water is not released solely to replenish the level of Lake Granbury or to allow canoeists to have water in the River.
