Lake Houston Levels Lowered Ahead Of Anticipated Storms

KINGWOOD, TX — Houston City Council Member Dave Martin and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

announced Thursday that the daily pooling level of Lake Houston will be temporarily reduced from 42.5 feet to 41 feet, effective immediately.

Houston Public Works Director, Carol Haddock, directed the Coastal Water Authority to start lowering the level of Lake Houston in advance of the upcoming predicted storms this weekend.

Martin has confirmed that all gates at Lake Houston are open and the level of Lake Houston is anticipated to reach the desired 41 foot mark by Friday evening.

Lake Houston residents are advised take necessary measures to secure boats and other watercraft during this temporary reduction.

Once the lake is lowered to 41 feet it is the City of Houston's plan to adjust the spillway gates to maintain a level of 41 feet temporarily due to the incoming inclement weather.

Currently, forecasts predict that local heavy rainfall is possible Sunday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 19. Rainfall amounts are estimated to be between 2 to 5 inches with isolated higher amounts possible over a 2 to 3 day period.

Grounds throughout our area are dry and will be able to absorb the first few inches of rainfall without much run-off. Even with dry grounds this is a large amount of rainfall in a short period of time, which is why the temporary reduction of the level of Lake Houston is necessary.

This will address the immediate concerns of the Lake Houston Community, including Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, and Huffman.

Lake Houston was among the hardest hit areas during Hurricane Harvey, and city leaders have taken steps to be watchful of lake levels when there is a threat of inclement weather.

This lower lake level will continue to be observed while the City works with area partners to address siltation and other coordination efforts with Lake Conroe. The City of Houston has been monitoring the weather, and will continue to monitor and evaluate water demand, weather patterns and other mitigation activities.

For more information, please contact the District E office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at districte@houstontx.gov.

Image: A man kayaks into an area near flooded homes near Lake Houston following Hurricane Harvey August 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The city of Houston is still experiencing severe flooding in some areas due to the accumulation of historic levels of rainfall, though the storm has moved to the north and east. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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