Flood operations result in 24 hour a day power generation at Sam Rayburn Reservoir

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District
Published May 28, 2021
Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

Flooding at Sam Rayburn Lake

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District Officials, in keeping with their flood risk reduction charter, continues to monitor and manage recent flooding at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Texas.

Sam Rayburn is receiving floodwater runoff from recent storms and is currently operating in surcharge pool with an elevation of 174.69 feet as of 10:00 a.m. May 28.  Normal pool elevation is 164.40 feet and top of flood pool is 173 feet. Engagement of the labyrinth spillway is at 176 feet.

Operating according to the lake’s water control plan, hydropower releases out of Sam Rayburn will increase to 24 hours per day beginning tomorrow, Saturday May 29, releasing approximately 8,000 cubic feet per second. Flood gate releases, in addition to the releases from power generation could also begin over the weekend.  All releases from Sam Rayburn Reservoir will continue to be passed to the Lower Neches River by B.A. Steinhagen/Town Bluff Dam. 

Public safety is the number one priority for USACE and we urge all visitors during high water events who are on or near the water to wear life jackets and use caution while navigating. Floodwaters have created unfamiliar boating conditions, changed shorelines, decreased height to overhead powerlines lines across the water, and has submerged objects such as picnic tables, signs, and debris.

Multiple campgrounds, boat ramps and day use areas have been closed due to flood waters. For additional information on facility closures visit https://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lake/lakefacilities.htm, www.recreation.gov, or call the Sam Rayburn Project Office at 409-384-5716.

Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and social media at: https://about.me/usacefortworth  


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

Release no. 21-031