Lake Conroe to reopen at noon following high water levels, other potential safety risks

CONROE, Texas – The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) and Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 have announced that Lake Conroe will reopen at noon after being closed as a result of the heavy rain that pushed through the area Friday and overnight into Saturday.

According to the announcement, the lake closed because the rain created issues like “high lake levels, the possibility of submerged objects, floating debris, and other hazards that could pose safety risks.”

The SJRA is working to release water from the dam in order to get the water back to the normal level. SJRA and Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 said they will monitor any additional rainfall events throughout the weekend.

As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the lake remained about two feet above the normal level, according to SJRA. Officials said the water was released at a safe and steady rate.

“The LC Watershed received an avg of just over 1 (inch) of rain in the last 24 hrs. With already saturated soils, there is considerable runoff into the reservoir,” the agency wrote on Twitter.

The announcement said in part:

“With basin-wide rainfall up to five inches in a span of several hours, rainfall and resulting runoff has positioned the lake level at approximately two feet over the lake’s normal conservation pool of 201′ mean sea level (msl). At this level, many docks, bulkheads, small islands, and other structures are fully submerged and can create a dangerous situation for boaters. In addition, high winds and rapidly-flowing water from local streams can result in a large amount of floating debris on the reservoir. With bulkheads becoming submerged, lake area residents should also be cautious of electrical outlets and equipment coming into contact with water.”

For additional information, visit SJRA’s website at www.sjra.net or call the Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 at 936-856-6329.