Officials today with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Worth District at Sam Rayburn Reservoir announced they are beginning coordination of a controlled drawdown of water from conservation pool to complete remaining dam embankment repairs.
There will be minimal anticipated impacts to recreation areas although some boat ramps will need to be closed during this time to maintain safe access to the lake.
The initial dam embankment repair began in late 2023, with contracted work continuing through spring 2024. Heavy rainfall within the Neches River Basin watershed forced the work to be put on hold. To complete the remaining work, a managed drawdown from conservation pool at 164.4 feet mean sea level to a targeted elevation of 158.0 feet msl is needed.
Work will be completed in-house by USACE personnel and equipment to make remaining surface repairs and place additional riprap armoring. The work will begin in July 2025 and is expected to be completed in December 2025. The lower lake elevation level will likely not be needed for the entire duration of the repair, as it is only necessary to complete a portion of the riprap placement.
Conservation pool level at Sam Rayburn is 164.4 feet msl, but levels do fluctuate as the lake meets its multiple mission requirements, including flood damage reduction, hydropower generation, water supply, public recreation, and environmental stewardship. The controlled drawdown is not near the lowest pool level of record of 150.83 feet msl experienced in November of 2012.
The lake, dam and associated power plant and other infrastructure will continue to operate as intended and designed, but the construction work is necessary for maintenance of the dam structure and safe operations of the project. The public’s understanding and patience during the repair time is appreciated.
For further questions or concerns, please contact the Sam Rayburn Lake staff at 409-384-5716, Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by e-mail at SRPO@usace.army.mil.
Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and social media at: https://about.me/usacefortworth
Release no. 25-014