Unseasonably dry weather has prompted officials to switch lowering the lake ahead of forecasted rain to allowing it to fill up to the proper level.
Council Member Dave Martin would like to make Lake Houston Area residents aware that he has not requested any lowering of Lake Houston since October of 2018. In February, the lake was lowered by one foot to 41.5 feet, allowing for spillway dam repairs, which was a Houston Public Works maintenance project. After repairs were completed the lake was to be naturally refilled to its normal pool elevation of 42.5 feet during the month of March through regular rain events.
This March was unseasonably dry which did not allow for the lake to refill as quickly as expected. On April 1, 2019, Lake Conroe began their seasonal release of water to Lake Houston which will result in the release of one foot of water to Lake Houston, bringing Lake Houston back to normal pool elevation of 42.5 feet by the end of the month. The release from Lake Conroe must be controlled and systematic. To monitor the seasonal release you can visit
www.sjra.net
Council Member Martin has requested that no additional water be released from Lake Houston during this upcoming weekend's rain event. The holding of any water received due to rain this weekend will assist in speeding up the refill process for Lake Houston. The current level of Lake Houston is 41.5 feet, which is one foot below its normal level. To observe Lake Houston water levels please visit
www.sjra.net
During last weekend's inclement weather Council Member Martin advised Houston Public Works that an additional release of water from Lake Houston was NOT necessary due to the lake already being low. However, Houston Public Works without the direction from Council Member Martin released an additional six inches of water on Friday, April 5 from Lake Houston.
Upon notification from Houston Public Works, which occurred after hours over the weekend, that an additional release had been conducted, Council Member Martin immediately requested the closure of all gates at Lake Houston in an effort to stop the unnecessary release of water. We appreciate resident's patience as our office works diligently with Houston Public Works to improve communication with residents regarding the operations of Lake Houston.
As a result of this failure in communication by Houston Public Works, our office has requested the department provide a formal protocol to our office so that we may share with the community. As in the past during inclement weather situations, which predict more than three inches of rain in the San Jacinto Watershed, our office will provide at least 48 hour notification to residents. This advance notification will allow time to secure boats and other water vehicles.
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