San Jacinto River Authority keeping Lake Conroe at level capacity

CONROE, Texas -- The rainfall over the past two weeks has helped fill Lake Conroe to capacity for the first time in four years. Last week’s 5.1 inches brought the lake to the capacity level, but the Memorial Day and Tuesday thunderstorms have taken it over-capacity, requiring assistance from the San Jacinto River Authority to bring the lake down to an acceptable level.

Two of the five flood gates have been open, one at just six inches, another ‘just a crack,’ according to SJRA sources. The current level is 201.34 ft.; normal is 201, thus the reason for the adjustment. (See graphic). The release of the overflow from Lake Conroe will feed into the San Jacinto River and will not affect the surrounding area, nor result in street flooding. Any street flooding will be due to the heavy amount of rainfall in a concentrated time frame, overwhelming the drainage infrastructure.

Sources at the SJRA said they opened the gates a little after last week’s rain, just to level the lake. The heavy rainfall Monday, and the additional 2-4 inches on Tuesday, with more to come on Wednesday, will require closely monitoring the situation for any further assistance...thus keeping a finger on the pulse.’

County residents are urged to proceed with caution when approaching underpasses, freeway ramps, and low-lying areas, a plan alternate routes.. Allow plenty of time for your morning commute in the event an alternate route is required.