SOUTH TOLEDO BEND, Texas — Following recent heavy rains that moved through Southeast Texas, the Sabine River Authority (SRA) has been releasing water from the Toledo Bend Reservoir for more than a week now.
On Monday morning at 6:15 a.m. the spillway release was decreased with all 11 gates now opened at two feet each, releasing 22,000 CFS, according to a notice from the SRA. The level of the reservoir at the time was 172.59 feet.
Both generators are currently running 24 hours a day releasing 14,853 CFS, according to the SRA. The total current release from the reservoir including the generators and the spillway gates is now 36,853 CFS.
The reservoir had been releasing a total 47,547 CFS between the generators and the 11 gates open at three feet before the latest decrease.
The level of the reservoir reached 172.50 feet on Monday, June 3, 2024, triggering the release with the five gates initially being opened at one foot to release 5,000 CFS according to a notice from the SRA.
The SRA had announced Sunday morning, June 2, 2024, the water level at the reservoir was 172.30 ft. and that it was monitoring the level in anticipation of potentially releasing water from the reservoir's spillway gates leading to the Sabine River. Both generators at the reservoir are currently operating 24 hours per day, according to a news release from the organization.
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.
Water will be released in accordance with the "Toledo Bend Spillway Operating Guide," which has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the release said.
Here's where you can monitor the levels...
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.
