CONROE, Texas – The San Jacinto River Authority on Wednesday increased the rate of water release from the Lake Conroe Dam to 8,660 cubic feet per second. The additional release is up from last week's release rate of almost 7000 cubic feet per second.
Officials are releasing water so it does not top the spillway. The plan is to keep releasing water at this level for 24 to 36 hours, provided there is no more rain.
The SJRA says the release is based on the combination of saturated ground, high inflows into the reservoir and the heavy rain received this morning.
The increase in the release means communities downstream from the dam will need to be vigilant as the already high water flow will increase even more as the release drains into the West Fork of the San Jacinto river. The West Fork at Porter is already considered at a moderate flood stage at 27.1 feet, three feet above flood stage of 24 feet.
With the recent rain and the additional release from the Lake Conroe Dam, the San Jacinto is expected to rise further, up to five feet above flood stage by Friday.
All communities along the West Fork of the San Jacinto will need to pay close attention as the river is expected to stay in major flood stage for several days.