There could be a negative effect changing the dam . When high water backs up to the dam and gates are open , do you not get fish swiming up from the river ? Heard some say there were Threadfin Shad in Conway and shallow as it is how could they survive a hard winter there and die off in Dardanelle some years ? I used to know guys that fished hoop nets in Palarm Creek years ago . Think some of the Flatheads and such don't swim up in high water with gates open ? What's your thoughts on this ?