As of Monday morning, the Sabine River Authority has no plans to release water from floodgates at Toledo Bend Reservoir. Assistant Director Ann Gallasi said the federal rules for operating the dam require the level to be at 172.5 feet before any release.
The lake is currently at 171.17 feet, or 1.33 feet below the level to open floodgates. Gallasi said both electrical generators are working at the dam and water is passing through to operate them, but no floodgates are open.
Will the floodgates need to be opened in the next few days? “Just depends on more rain and where Harvey goes,” she said.
The National Weather Service Monday morning put Orange County in a tropical storm warning as Harvey has moved back into the Gulf of Mexico. The forecast puts it moving ashore near our area again on Wednesday morning. Another 10 to 15 inches of rain is predicted here.
The track of Harvey is now set to go northeastward in a path that will take it over the Sabine River basin. Gallasi said releases of water from the dam will depend on rainfall over the reservoir and in the river basin.
“We’re watching the weather like everyone else and hoping Harvey goes away,” she said.
Social Media