SOUTH TOLEDO BEND, Texas — The Sabine River Authority (SRA) has increased its release of water through the reservoir's spillway gates for a second time since opening the gates on Wednesday morning.
The reservoir's level rose to 172.9 feet by 11:30 a.m. on Friday according to an advisory from the SRA Friday afternoon. The SRA's policy is to release water when the level reaches 172.5 feet.
The 11 spillway gates have increased their release by increasing the opening on all 11 spillway gates from one to two feet. At 2:15 p.m. the reservoir's level was at
172.87 ft according to the gauge at the spillway.
The spillway gates are now releasing 22,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), according to the advisory. This amount is twice as much as the gates began releasing at 4:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Five of the 11 gates were first opened to one foot , releasing 5,000 CFS, on Wednesday morning.
Currently both generators at the reservoir are also running and together are releasing 13,196 CFS according to the advisory.
The total current release is now at 35,196 CFS including the generators and the spillway gates.
Here's where you can monitor the levels...
The SRA, on Tuesday, announced the potential for a required release following heavy overnight rains Monday night into the morning that moved down through East Texas and into Southeast Texas.
The SRA's policy is to release water from the reservoir once the level reaches 172.5 feet according to the news release. Officials are currently monitoring inflow information from the National Weather Service Forecast Center.
Anyone downstream of the reservoir should monitor the reservoir levels as well as levels along the Sabine River, which could reach flood stage making possible evacuation necessary.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
