JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A number of camping and boat ramp facilities are closed at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B.A. Steinhagen/Dam B due to the recent rainfall.
Boat ramps are closed at Hanks Creek Campground, Hanks Creek Day Use Area, Twin Dikes Park, Mill Creek Park, Rayburn Park, San Augustine Park, Marion Ferry Park, Monterey Park and Etoile Park according to the release. Hanks Creek Park, Mill Creek Park, Rayburn Park and San Augustine Park are also closed for camping according to the release.
Boat ramps at Ralph McAlister Park and Twin Dikes Public (near Umphrey's Family Pavilion) are among the only open U.S. Army Corps of Engineer managed boat ramps. Camping and/or boat launching facilities may be found at Cassells-Boyking Park, Power Park Marina, Jackson Hill Park and Marina, Shirley Creek Park and Marina and the Sam Rayburn Resort and Marina according to the release. Authorities encourage the public to contact each facility before visiting to ensure availability.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is currently holding floodwaters, and forecasted lake elevation may approach 175 feet, release of flood water will be through the powerhouse according to the release. Releases are currently being made through power generation with daily releases for peak power at 5,500 cubic feet per second according to the release. Hours of operations and flood releases may be adjusted any time according to the release.
From a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers news release:
Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B.A. Steinhagen/Dam B flood releases continue
FORT WORTH, Texas –U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ representatives at Sam Rayburn Reservoir announce that current high lake levels have resulted in additional facility closures at Sam Rayburn Reservoir related to recent rainfall events.
At this time, boat ramps are closed at Hanks Creek Campground, Hanks Creek Day Use Area, Twin Dikes Park, Mill Creek Park, Rayburn Park, San Augustine Park, Marion Ferry Park, Monterey Park, and Etoile Park. Hanks Creek Park, Mill Creek Park, Rayburn Park and San Augustine Park are also closed for camping. Additional facilities including boat ramps will be closed as conditions warrant.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel have been and continue to monitor lake levels and the associated impact to recreational facilities. Recreational areas will be opened as soon as conditions allow. Currently, the only open U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s managed boat ramps are located at Ralph McAlister Park and Twin Dikes Public (near Umphrey’s Family Pavilion). Additional camping and/or boat launching opportunities may be found at Cassells-Boykin Park, Powell Park Marina, Jackson Hill Park and Marina, Shirley Creek Park and Marina, and the Sam Rayburn Resort and Marina. Please contact each facility prior to visiting to ensure availability. Not all additionally listed locations provide boat launching opportunities at this time.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir continues to hold flood waters and although forecasted lake elevation may approach 175 feet, release of flood water will be through the Powerhouse. Current releases are being made through power generation with daily releases for peak power equating to 5,500 cubic feet per second. Hours of operations and flood releases may be adjusted at any time.
Current release schedule for Town Bluff/Dam B/B.A. Steinhagen is forecasted not to exceed 25,000 cubic feet per second. At this time, recreational areas are not impacted. Additional rain in the watershed or change in release amounts at Sam Rayburn will cause changes in releases at Town Bluff.
All water safety measures must be adhered to when on or near the water. Life vests are a must! Large water discharges and changing lake levels will present new hazards at or just below the water line. Be vigilant and constantly aware of changing conditions and hazards. Newly submerged hazards can cause serious damage or injury.
Current closure lists for Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Town Bluff/Dam B/B.A. Steinhagen are at http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lake/lakefacilities.htm or by calling the Sam Rayburn Project Office at 409-384-5716 or Town Bluff/Dam B/B.A. Steinhagen at 409-429-3491 (M-F, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
