Quote Originally Posted by dkv View Post
Craig was at Pomona outlet yesterday, release rate of 1500 cfs. The smell of waste water sewage was so overwhelming coming right of the tube overspray! I've been to many outlets when dumping and never smelled anything close to what we experienced that day. Any ideas or referrals, I am very curious! Thanx, DK
dkv,

Sorry for the slow reply.

Like others mentioned, the smell was likely caused by all the decaying plant material that the flood waters covered and killed. The outlet provided a place for the deeper water discharged from the lake to get "stirred up" making the odor more noticeable.

Probably somewhat conditions specific also as I didn't experience what you describe at El Dorado during our flooding. I'm not overly familiar with Pomona's limnological details, but if stratification had occurred and water was being released from the hypolimnion then that could cause the more intense sewage/hydrogen sulfide smell.

The COE may have a better answer if you would want to ask them. Their contact info is Phone: 785-453-2201 Email: [email protected]