Richland Chambers Lake Level Nerd Alert!

If you've been on Richland Chambers very long you've seen  ups and downs, highs and lows and in-betweens.  Some folks came here and built just in time to see 5 tough years. While some have been here only long enough to enjoy very good years. One thing for sure, fluctuation is a part of life on RC Lake. Actually folks on pretty much every Texas lake experience fluctuation. When we have normal rainfall, lake levels are good.  Less rainfall means lower lake levels. It's really pretty simple. The Great State of Texas could not support even close to today's population without man made reservoirs catching the rainfall. The ability to store water in many places in the United States allows large populations to thrive. Our modern standards and lifestyle require vast amounts of the most precious natural resource we have, water.  Richland Chambers lake, like most every man made lake, has had its ups and downs depending on water falling from the sky.

Time on Richland Chambers can be measured by pre-March 11, 2015 and post March 11, 2015.

March 11, 2015 was the day the lake hit 315' and stayed after almost 5 long years of Texas drought. During the period from late 2010 to March of 2015 we experienced 3 of the lowest lake levels in the 30 year history of Richland Chambers. Then a lot of water fell from the sky and regularly continues to do so.
So here comes the nerd part... The average lake level during that time was 309', 6 feet low. Since March 11 2015 the average lake level has been 313', a level we can all appreciate. But,

Half of the time for the last 30 years Richland Chambers Lake has been less than 1 foot below Full Pool

The chart above is made up of 11,003 daily lake levels, dating back to Jan 1st 1990. The average of all of those levels is 313.01'. So can we say these last 4 years or so have been normal?
Since Jan 1st 1990 we have experienced 3274 days above 315' (full pool) and 5526 days above 314'.  
So half of the time for the last 30 years Richland Chambers Lake has been less than 1 foot below full. Think about that! 
313' and above - 6893 days and one more just for fun: 
Less than 3ft down, 8134 days or 74% of the last 30 years. 
So yes there have been and will be ups and downs in the life of the lake but remember, They built the lake here for a reason!

#richlandchambers. #richlandchamberslake  #richlandchamberslakelevel

The Shrimp Man Comes to Richland Chambers

There are lots of cool things about the Richland Chambers Lake Community. There are large and small happenings all over the lake. Impromptu gatherings on the water, at The Harbor Restaurant or on a friends dock all the way to the big Poker Run going on this year on September 1st. (more about that later).

One cool thing that has been going on since we've been here the last 10 years is the Shrimp Man.  Kyle Kimball from Nederland TX comes every fall and has a big freezer trailer full of  large, fresh caught, flash frozen, gulf shrimp for sale.  Every time he's here people come by land and by water from all over the lake with their coolers and line up to buy shrimp.

A gentleman by the name of Glynn Holloway used to live over in The Point on Richland Chambers.  When we first came out here it seemed like everybody knew Glynn.  Glynn came here in the early 90's when the lake was new.  He built a house and had a business building docks and walls and various other things. Glynn is quite the guy.  He knows "Kyle the Shrimp Man" and Kyle used to bring the shrimp to Glynn's house and folks all went there to get them.  Glenn has since sold his house and moved so now the shrimp man comes to Bob Capallo's house over in Fowler's Point

 The shrimp comes whole, head on and frozen solid. I usually just leave mine in the cooler overnight, (because Kyle comes on Saturdays) and Saturday afternoons in August is lake time!  Then on Sunday morning or afternoons go out to the dock, turn on the water hose, some music and clean shrimp.  I just toss the heads and anything else into the water as chum for the fish.  When you buy the shrimp they are diligent to tell you how to preserve them.  They tell you to clean them, put in freezer bags, cover in water with a tablespoon of Karo syrup mixed in.  I'm not sure how it works but the Karo syrup in the water does a great job of preserving them.  We've had them sit in the freezer for a year+ and they are always in great shape when we want them.
There is a shrimp list to let everyone know when he's coming.
If you would like to be on the shrimp list for next year, let me know!  johnteelremax@gmail.com

These shrimp are always super fresh and delicious, right out of the water! So however you like your shrimp: boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp scampi, shrimp burger, shrimp soup, shrimp gumbo, shrimp sandwich, shrimp salad.... this is a good thing!!  And by the way, this year these beauties were only $6.00 a pound!  Richland Chambers is a great place!!

 #richlandchambers

Richland Chambers Real Estate August 2018

 The Real Estate Market around Richland Chambers is in a state now that we have never seen before around the lake.  There have been as many waterfront homes sell in the last 90 days as are for sale today. Yes. 34 homes on the water have sold in the last 90 days and today 34 active listings make up the available waterfront home inventory.  Think about that for a minute.  If all things were equal and the current rate continued (perfect world kind of stuff) every available waterfront home would sell and there would be nothing for sale by November.  Wow, that is a crazy thought.  We've been out here for 10 years and the real estate home market is the best it has been in that time and probably ever.  We are a relatively young market (the lake filled in 1989) so the number of homes on the lake ten years ago compared to today on the lake was much less.  So there weren't as many homes to sell as there are today.

There have been as many waterfront homes sell in the last 90 days as are for sale on the lake today.

In 2015 we saw as many as 110 waterfront homes on the market in July of that year.  The lake had just filled that spring and the housing market in general was improving all over the country.  Since then there have been  a total of  213 waterfront homes on Richland Chambers sell through today. So if you have a home on or around Richland Chambers and are thinking about selling now may very well be best time ever.  Simple economics tell us that low supply and high demand means increased value.  

As a buyer if you have been searching for a waterfront home on any lake in Texas Richland Chambers still represents the best value for waterfront property anywhere.  The unspoiled beauty, uncrowded water plus getting in on the early stages of what is destined to be the best waterfront community in the State make this area the best waterfront investment available.

Call us for more info!!

Ever heard of Matterport 3D?

This thing is way cool!!....Matterport 3D Imaging is the latest, cutting edge, Real Estate  Marketing tool for showcasing homes and other spaces.   

Doll House View

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Richland Chambers Lake Level Feb 2018

So if you live on Richland Chambers or any other Texas Lake the lake level is always on your mind.   Somewhere in your thoughts, whether the lake is up or down, you're thinking about the lake level.  Sometimes in the summer you jump off your dock and its a long way to the bottom.  And then  you're out on the boat one day and you see a sand bar you haven't seen in a while.  Or, you wake up one morning and the water is up to your dock!  

So what's the lake level now?

Here is a chart of Richland Chambers Lake Level  up to February 11, 2018 for the last five years. 

Richland Chambers Lake Level

 Taken from: http://richlandchambers.uslakes.info/Level.asp

This chart represents more than 9,000 daily lake level entries and tracks the lake since January of 1990. It shows the majority of lows occur in the winter, this time of year. Also Richland Chambers fills very rapidly. The average fluctuation for this chart is: 312.46 which is a 2.54 ft fluctuation. 
To see a bigger version of this go to:  BuyRCLakeLakeLevelHistory 

So where does it need to rain to fill the Lake?

Like most Texas lakes, Richland Chambers is a rainfall dependent lake.  There has to be appreciable rainfall in the watershed to keep the lake full. 

Here is a map of where it needs to rain to fill Richland Chambers Lake.

Richland Chambers Lake Watershed

The orange area is out of the 100 yr flood plain and any major floodway

This map is a work in progress and shows the approximate boundaries of the Richland Chambers Lake Watershed. Also all the creeks that need to fill and flow in order to fill RC Lake. The watershed is approximately 1947 square miles, stretching into 6 counties.  It can be divided into two major sections by following the creeks. 

The Richland Creek Watershed and the Chambers Creek Watershed  These two can be further divided by major creek sections and both include a Corps of Engineer Lake, Lake Bardwell and Navarro Mills Lake. These lakes are used to hold back flood flood waters and control the amount of water going downstream to Richland Chambers and ultimately the Trinity River. 

In the life of the lake the average fluctuation is less than 3ft.  

They built Richland Chambers here for a reason, a lot of water comes this way to form the 3rd largest lake in Texas!!

So far we seem to be in a rainy groove this winter, let's hope it continues!

Welcome to Richland Chambers Video, tell us what you think!

This is our new "Welcome to Richland Chambers" Video.  Let us know what you think, we appreciate your comments!  Email us below...

johnteelremax@gmail.com or  julieteelremax@gmail.comjulieteelremax@gmail.com

Life at Richland Chambers

It’s January on Richland Chambers lake.  Time to implement those New Years Resolutions.  Move your body more and swear off sweets, booze and all things toxic for your body for a season.

You may be wondering, what is there to do at the lake to keep you active?  Well, there are so many things that you can do to keep you in shape. 

There are ladies that carpool to Corsicana for Yoga and Zumba class.  These classes are great but I can’t do the travel time and join these fun ladies since I’m still working. So we run down to the clubhouse (we live in The Shores) for a workout. On those occasional beautiful winter days we just take a walk or bike ride in the subdivision.

Once Spring is upon us, in just a short while, John and I will take the kayaks out for adventure.  We cruise the shorelines and enjoy the nature.  Now THAT is a great upper body workout with many benefits.

John and Kelsey on a winter day 2015

When the weather turns a bit warmer, we will get out our paddle boards. Talk about a workout for your core! Standing up on those things is a chore for this girl but I will go as long as I can and then just sit on them and use a kayak paddle to navigate.

Another sport we love is jet skiing! Those things will work you out too. You don’t realize how many muscles you use on a jet ski until you ride one a few hours without stopping.  

But one of our best favorite activities is tubing! (Ouchy Wawa!)

That is like skiing for the old folks! I love seeing my friends in their 60’s water skiing but that is a sport that I could barely do in my twenties.  

So probably not in the cards for this girl at this ripe old age of 54.

I will have to say one of my favorite water activities (if you can call it one) is blowing up our big 8 person float and just float down the cove or tying  it to our dock when it is warm and sunny and just soaking up the rays and the good conversations with friends and family.(I know. Not many calories expended there) But still a personal fave!

Regardless of your fitness level or sporting fortitude, there is 

Something for you at Richland Chambers!  ....Julie

Summer fun!

The Shores Clubhouse.
(This is an older picture, a couple of the machines are different now)

Update: Fuel the FireFighters!!

Members of 287/RC Fire and Rescue VFD cooking burgers

The Fuel The Fire Fighters Fund Raiser is gaining momentum and shaping up to be a great event! Our community has already donated more than $16,000 in cash and silent auction items as of today to support the lake shore area Volunteer Fire Departments.  We are having people calling and offer to volunteer to help on event day and lots of people pre-registering to make the Poker Run.  (By the way if you would like to pre-register just come by RE/MAX LakeSide Dreams to fill out the form and get your wrist bands.
We are very excited about this year's event and are looking forward to this Saturday!  Last year's Poker Run had 111 Poker hands played and 4 8's took the winning prize.  The best thing of all was the community donated almost $23,000 in cash and an $8000 boat lift to "Rescue the Rescue Boat".  We had people from all around the lake come together and a good time was had by all.

It looks like the weather is going to be good according to the latest NWS forecast. 89 degrees for the high with 5-10 mph winds.  So everyone be safe on the water and remember it's not a race, just a chance to enjoy the lake, meet some new friends and draw for a winning hand.  See you there!
For details check out  www.FueltheFireFighters.com 

What about the Green Boat?

I blogged last summer about the "Green Eyed Lady of Richland Chambers".  It's a 1978 model, lime green "The Deck Boat, Gatesville, Texas".   I acquired it very cheap and now I see for good reason.  But nothing ventured, nothing gained right?   So what about it?   Well as Paul Harvey used to say "and now, the Rest of the Story..."

Old boats are not always what they are cracked up to be.  But the coolness factor is very enticing.  I have great memories as a kid running around in these kind of things with my dad at the wheel.  He always had some old boat he was working on. We would launch on Lake Arlington, Ray Hubbard or Lake Dallas (now Lake Lewisville) and have fun.  Plus retro is in these days so what could be cooler than a vintage 70's model boat (one they don't make any more) running around on Richland Chambers?   Sounds great, right?  Yeah, well all true if the boat is worth the effort.  Most old boats are not worth a lot, of course there are exceptions, but if you want an old boat I bet I can find you one real cheap!

Saying all of that, the saga of the "Green Eyed Lady" has come to an ignominious, inglorious end.

When we first got it we cleaned it up and took it to TJ with Lakeside Boat Service. He checked it out and made sure she was somewhat lake worthy.  So one afternoon we put it in the water and ran around the cove a few times.  All was well and heading towards what seemed to be a fun project with a lot of coolness factor.  Feeling confident, Julie and I headed out one afternoon last fall.  We took off out of the cove and headed up the Chambers arm of Richland Chambers.  Julie was on a Seadoo with a tow rope just in case.  I got some interesting looks and comments from some friends on their docks along the way.  We made it up as far as the pump station and decided to head back.  After a few minutes all of a sudden she lost power.  I turned and looked back saw  smoke coming from the engine compartment.  Of course I shut her down.  I now know I had spun the connector between the engine and the outdrive.  Good thing we brought a tow rope!  We made it back to our dock, tied her up and the next day went to see TJ.

Being towed in 

back to the shop...

To shorten the story a bit, back to the shop, new engine connector some other things and early last March back in the water.  Our son Parker and I took off again.  Same thing, around the cove a few times and then headed out to the open water past the jetty.  We didn't get very far and I turned around to come back in.  Then the same thing happened, we spun the motor connector.  After a lot of paddling and somewhat favorable winds we made it to Northshore Marina and tied it up in a slip.

Towing her to the ramp

this turned out to be the final inspect

The bottom line turned out to be the condition of the boat itself.  A lot of older fiberglass boats have a considerable amount of wood in them surrounded by fiberglass.  We knew there was some wood rot in the transom and now feared it was in really bad shape.  We could tell by the 'play' in the transom and the fact that the motor connector had failed twice.  When TJ opened it up the whole transom was basically nothing but mush.  He did some checking around about repairing it properly (so it and yours truly would not wind up at the bottom of Richland Chambers Lake!).  However, it turns out to repair the transom and surrounding hull properly was going to be very expensive.  All of a sudden the "Coolness Factor" diminished dramatically. Funny how it works that way sometimes.

So now I've gone through my grieving period and headed off to the next thing.  But I have to say we all found a little bit of joy in the whole idea and for me, the very short time I drove it around I did feel really cool!

Lake Adventures on Richland Chambers

Osprey nest in Mattie Caston

On Mother's Day the weather was great and Julie and I found ourselves at home with little Mother's Day fanfare so it was time for a SeaDoo adventure.  So we loaded up and took off.  We decided to follow the shoreline from our dock heading northwest as far as we cared to go.  We explored every cove and creek we could find and took our time taking in the sights.  
First to Northshore Harbor, then around Moonlight Point to Collins Lane and White Rock.  We headed north under 287 bridge to Oak Cove Marina.  We came around to Paradise Bay and talked to some friends, Brent and Brenda and then on to Hidden Oaks.  Vista Ridge was next and then up the creek in Lakeview all the way to the 3140 bridge.  We came out of the creek, after slight technical difficulty, and headed into Mattie Caston. 
Mattie Caston Cove is kind of tough to navigate in a boat as there is a lot of timber in the water.  We took it easy and slow and made it all the way in.  We came across a huge Osprey Nest with a pair of Ospreys patrolling and defending the nest from overhead.  We saw a lot of homes and docks we have never seen from the water.

Here is our course:

Central Area of Richland Chambers Lake

Our former Bennington

We continued on north through Starcrest and then under the 2859 Bridge around to Hide Away Harbor.  Hideaway Harbor is named very well. This quiet neighborhood is tucked away just north of the bridge.  We came across our old boat tied up to TJ's dock, in good shape.

2859 Bridge, think the blue spot means anything?

Our adventure had started about 2:30 so by now we started thinking about heading back and actually had a couple of destinations in mind.  The first stop was to go find a big nest in the trees we knew about north of Hickey Island and check it out.  The lake was perfect, the wind was fairly calm and the sky was beautiful.  Our Seadoos were running great.  Julie's is a 2009 Seadoo Wake and mine is a 2010 Seadoo 215 Wake Pro.. We bought both of them new and they have been very good machines.

Osprey nest close to Hickey Island

Julie in action, just off of Hickey Island

Our next stop was Hickey Island.  We made our way in to the south side of the island, beached the Seadoos and had a picnic. The seadoos have plenty of room to carry drinks and snacks.   The Island is pretty large (maybe 300 acres?) and we found a pretty nice, small beach area.  Hickey Island is completely grown up and there is all kinds of wildlife running around on it.  We didn't venture too far from the shore, just enjoyed the view and took it all in.  Next we shoved off and headed south.

   

Picnic on the Island

The last big adventure of the day was to visit the Oil Derrick south of the island off of Vista Ridge.   The rig doesn't appear to be functioning, but then again I'm no expert.  There was another big Osprey nest up in the rig and the pair were circling around while we were close.

Osprey nest on the Oil Rig

It was getting late in the day by now so we headed on back to The Shores and docked the Seadoos.  It was a great afternoon!

Gone Fishing...

The big fish broke the lure

Julie catching a double

It's Spring Time and the fishing is on at RC. Julie, our son Parker and I took off last Wednesday afternoon and went fishing.  We went out of Fisherman's Cove Lodge with Joe Moore about 2:00 that afternoon and had a blast.  Joe kept us on fish all day long.

Our catch for the day

We fished out on the main body of Richland Chambers in usually around 30 ft of water.  Joe was following the bottom structure of the lake and knew where the fish would be.  We took home 75 White Bass, 5 Hybrids and a 25 pound Yellow Cat.  It was a great afternoon.

25 lb Yellow Catfish

Julie's blister from reeling in fish

Joe kept us out for about 4 hours until we limited out on keeper White Bass, (25 each).  We probably caught twice as many fish as we kept, we threw back everything that was too small.  Joe used his Fish Finder/GPS  to keep us on top of the fish all afternoon. The catch of the day was the big Yellow Cat. This is some of the best catfish you will ever eat!

Any day fishing is a good day!

Fisherman's Cove Lodge is located off of State Highway 309 off of 287 on the north shore of the main body of the lake.  They offer guided fishing and hunting trips.  Check them out and even book online at www.Fishermanscovelodge.com
Check out Joe Moore at www.HookedupGuide Services.net.
All you have to do is just show up.  They provide everything for the trip and then clean and bag your fish for you when you're done.

Happy Fishing!

Cooler full of fish!

Joe Moore cleaning our catch

Parker in Action

Joe with a Hybryd

Landing the big Yellow Cat