FORT WORTH, Texas – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, in keeping with its flood risk management charter, continues to monitor recent flooding at Lake O’ the Pines and the Cypress Basin in Texas. Lake O’ the Pines is receiving floodwater runoff from recent storms and is currently operating in flood pool releasing approximately 3,000 cubic feet per second with an elevation of 237 -feet as of 8 a.m.
Fort Worth District will release water from Lake O’ the Pines when the flow of Big Cypress Bayou at Karnack is below 7,000 cubic feet per second or when the Lake O’ the Pines water level exceeds 236 feet. As of this morning, the flow at Karnack was 4,900 cubic feet per second. Based on current runoff upstream of Lake O’ the Pines, the lake level is expected to crest near 238 feet. Lake O’ the Pines floodwaters will be released as safety permits; however it may take several weeks for the lake level to return to conservation pool. Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at www.swf.usace.army.mil or the Water Management Section Web Site at http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil for up to date information.
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 and increased flows into the reservoir have flushed a large amount of invasive aquatic vegetation into the main body of water below the Hwy 155 Bridge. Boaters are reminded to CLEAN, DRAIN AND DRY YOUR BOAT, TRAILER AND GEAR! Please avoid or minimize boat travel through any mats of vegetation to limit the spread. Invasive species information is available at http://www.texasinvasives.org/.
Release no. 15-056