UPDATE: SJRA to allow motorized boating on Lake Conroe at sunrise Memorial Day

UPDATE: May 30, 2016

Beginning at sunrise on Monday May 30th, SJRA officials have decided to allow motorized vessels on the reservoir. Boaters should exercise caution and good judgment if they choose to use the reservoir as there is still a high risk of submerged objects and floating debris.

Even though the lake is still near the 100-year flood level, SJRA officials have decided to allow motorized vessels on the reservoir beginning at sunrise on Monday morning. Boaters should exercise caution and good judgment if they choose to use the reservoir as there is still a high risk of submerged objects and floating debris...San Jacinto River Authority

See Official Press Release.



UPDATE: May 29, 2016

At the present time the SJRA has decreased the release at Lake Conroe from 22,246 CFS to 13,765 CFS (cubic feet per second) has increased the release from Lake Conroe to achieve normal pool level of 201.98 ft. SJRA stated that Lake Conroe reached its highest level since November of 2002 (203.8' MSL on November 5)

Lake Status...Lake Conroe is temporarily closed to motorized vessels as of 1:00 p.m., May 27, until further notice. Canoes, kayaks, and other non-motorized vessels are allowed.

See official press release at Lake Conroe Status.



UPDATE: May 28, 2016

UPDATE:

LAKE CONROE, Texas - The San Jacinto River Authority reports that Lake Conroe remains closed to motorized vessels due to the presence of submerged objects, floating debris, and other hazards that could put people’s safety at risk. Non-motorized vessels such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts are permitted to use the reservoir. The SJRA will make every effort to fully reopen the reservoir as soon as conditions allow.

As of 1:00 PM today, Lake Conroe had crested at a level of 204.5’ above mean sea level and is beginning to recede. This is 3.5 feet above normal pool level.

This has been an extraordinary rainfall event. Over the past 48 hours, the Lake Conroe watershed experienced rainfall totals from five to nine inches. Gauges in southern Montgomery County registered 11 to 13 inches of rainfall. In addition, these totals were reached in a very short period of time resulting in dangerous road conditions and a rapid rise in the level of Lake Conroe.

For anyone interested in monitoring the current conditions of the reservoir, SJRA provides continuous data regarding lake level and release rate on its homepage, www.sjra.net. In addition, real time gauge data can be accessed by clicking the link labeled “Lake & River Conditions” (look for the link labeled San Jacinto Contrail Web).

For data regarding when the various rivers and streams in our area will reach their crest and begin to recede, visit the National Weather Service’s River Forecast Center at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=hgx. Here you can click on a river or stream gauge and view a graph showing the historic and projected water level.

See official SJRA press release...

SJRA Press Release

At the present time the SJRA has increased the release from Lake Conroe to 22,246 CFS (cubic feet per second) has increased the release from Lake Conroe to achieve normal pool level of 201.98 ft.



ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

LAKE CONROE, Texas - Effective immediately, the San Jacinto River Authority is temporarily closing Lake Conroe due to high lake levels, the presence of submerged objects, floating debris, and other hazards that could put people’s safety at risk.

"We recognize that this is Memorial Day weekend, and we will make every effort to fully reopen the reservoir as soon as conditions allow," SJRA stated in a press release. "The lake level has risen to over 203 feet above mean sea level, which is two feet over the lake’s normal pool level. The last time the lake reached this level was in March of this year."

At this level, many docks, bulkheads, small islands, and other structures are fully submerged and create a very dangerous situation for boaters. In addition, high winds and rapidly-flowing water from local streams have resulted 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.

Over the past 24 hours, the Lake Conroe watershed has experienced rainfall totals from 5 to 8 inches. This has resulted in a rapid rise in lake level.

SJRA is currently releasing water from the dam in accordance with its operating procedures for the reservoir. The rate of release is currently 8,120 cubic feet per second, which is slightly above the peak rates experienced in the large rainfall event in March of this year.

For anyone interested in monitoring the current conditions of the reservoir, SJRA provides continuous data regarding lake level and release rate on its homepage (www.sjra.net) along with numerous other data points.

UPDATE:

At the present time the SJRA has increased the release from Lake Conroe to 12,661 CFS (cubic feet per second) has increased the release from Lake Conroe to achieve normal pool level of 201.98 ft.