Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Town Bluff Dam continue flood operations

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
Published May 17, 2021
Updated: May 17, 2021

spillwayThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, in keeping with its flood risk reduction charter, continues to monitor and manage recent flooding at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B.A. Steinhagen Lake/Town Bluff Dam in Texas.

Water releases from Town Bluff Dam were increased due to inflow in the Neches River Basin above the reservoir and weather conditions in the area. Currently, releases out of Town Bluff are approaching 40,000 cubic feet per second.  The Fort Worth District has notified impacted emergency managers of these circumstances and the potential for downstream flooding. 

Sam Rayburn is receiving floodwater runoff from recent storms and is currently operating in flood pool with an elevation of 171.2 feet as of 2:30 p.m. Normal pool elevation is 164.40 feet and top of flood pool is 173 feet.

Operating according to the lake’s water control plan, generators at Sam Rayburn are currently making minimal hydropower releases at the request of the Southwestern Power Administration. The lake is retaining floodwater until conditions on the lower Neches River allow additional releases.

The Corps of Engineers is concerned for public safety and urges boaters to wear life jackets and use caution while navigating. Floodwaters have created unfamiliar boating conditions, changed shorelines, and submerged objects such as picnic tables, signs, and debris.

Several campground sites have been closed. Please follow the link below to see what parks have campsite closures https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lake/lakefacilities.htm.

For additional information, call the Sam Rayburn Project Office at (409) 384-5716.


Contact
Clay Church
817-886-1314
clayton.a.church@usace.army.mil

Release no. 21-026