Recent rains impact flow rates from east Texas lakes

Published March 18, 2016

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sam Rayburn Reservoir continues to limit releases from the lake due to high flow rates on the Neches River. 

Recent rains have resulted in Sam Rayburn Reservoir being 5.8 feet above conservation pool and 164.4 feet above mean sea level, which pushed the lake into the flood pool. As of 8 a.m. today, the pool elevation reached 170.19 feet MSL and continues to function as designed for flood control. 

Currently, releases are from six hours of hydropower generation resulting in 1,043 day second feet. Town Bluff Dam continues to regulate flows near 20,000 cubic feet per second passing water flowing into the reservoir.   

“As flows on the Neches permit, we anticipate making additional releases through hydropower generation and flood gates from Sam Rayburn. The flows from Town Bluff Dam likely remaining near 20,000 CFS for several weeks as we return Sam Rayburn Reservoir to the conservation pool level 164.4 MSL,” said Sam Rayburn Lake manager, Bart Dearborn.  

Impacts to Sam Rayburn Reservoir from current pool levels have required closures to many of the parks campsites and a few boat ramps.  Marinas and county facilities are also experiencing similar impacts. Additional information available at: http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lake/lakefacilities.htm 

 

-30- 

 

About the Fort Worth District: The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established in 1950. The District is responsible for water resources development in two-thirds of Texas, and design and construction at military installations in Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico.  Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and SWF Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Worth-District-US-Army-Corps-of-Engineers/188083711219308
Contact
Denisha Braxton
817-886-1435
Denisha.l.braxton@usace.army.mil
819 Taylor St., Fort Worth, TX

Release no. 16-020