Not sure of the depths exactly, but they are plenty deep enough for a bass boat or similar. The dam has a lock, it is a navigable river for barges, so it has a minimum depth of I think 9' in the main channel, maybe someone can correct me on that. It is deeper than that of course directly below the dam and for quite a ways down stream. Are you going to be drifting in the boils below the dam for the striper? Large live shad or 5-6" skipjack are best, they can be caught below the dam with white jigs, spoons, spinners, etc. A cast net works well for the shad, but I haven't had much luck yet with mine, I think it is a little early yet. When the water temps get higher in the summer the baitfish will really congregate below the dam for the cool water. Melton Hill is fed by Norris, it is usually a few degrees cooler than some of the other lakes around. Live bluegill also work pretty well. I fish below Ft. Loudoun dam for striper some, I have been seeing guys catching them on large swimbaits for the past week or two also. under the "Tennessee Reservoir Info" tab on here you can pull up the generation schedule each day.