The Why Store | October 11th, 2025

Regarding Inclement Weather:

The Madam Carroll cruises rain or shine. However, it is the sole discretion of this vessels captain and ownership to determine if inclement weather could create hazardous conditions in which case the ship will remain at dock and this event will continue as scheduled.

Regarding Lake Levels:

After nearly 100 years of keeping Lake Freeman and Lake Schafer level, the US Fish and Wildlife Department intervened and mandated that the water flow leaving the Oakdale Dam be maintained to a specific cubic foot per second to protect an endangered mussel species below the dam on the river. In times of drought, the water levels in Lake Freeman are dropped to maintain constant river flows below the dam. In this event, it becomes unsafe for the vessel to cruise. If this is the case, the ship will remain at dock and this event will continue as scheduled. You can learn more about this erroneous calculation on behalf of the US Fish and Wildlife Department and how you can help the Madam Carroll continue her operation in this article.