Heavy rains from the tropical system Imelda were reflected in the bayous as water drained into them and flowed southward. The levels on the Sabine River have not been affected much.
Orange County will not have to worry about water releases from Toledo Bend Reservoir. The Sabine River Authority during the summer lowered the level and Friday afternoon it was at 165.18 feet. The flood gates are opened when the lake reaches 172.5 feet. The heavy rain from Imelda did not fall north of the reservoir to raise the level.
Gauges at points in the bayous show how much rain fell. All bayous in the county are in the flood stage. The levels (measured in feet above sea level) Friday afternoon were:
Cow Bayou at Mauriceville: 23.9 feet, up 19.5 feet from Wednesday.
Cow Bayou at FM 1442 near Orangefield: 14.87 feet, up 13.4 feet from Wednesday.
Cow Bayou near Highway 87 in Bridge City: 4.31 feet, up 3 feet from Wednesday.
Adams Bayou at MLK Jr. Drive: 10.54 feet, up 8.9 feet from Wednesday.
Adams Bayou at MacArthur Drive: 5.41 (It crested at 5.52 feet Friday morning). The crest level was 3.66 feet higher than the high tide level on Wednesday.
The Sabine River at Deweyville was at 24.75 feet with flood level 24 feet. It is expected to crest Saturday at 24.8 feet.
The Sabine River at Pier Road off Simmons Drive in Orange was at 3.28 feet with flood stage 4 feet. It is predicted to crest Saturday at 3.7 feet.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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