Updated May 30 at 7:40 a.m.

The San Jacinto River Authority opened Lake Conroe for public use May 30.

The lake was closed May 27 after heavy rainfall caused docks, bulkheads, small islands and other structures to be submerged underwater—creating dangerous conditions for boaters. Still, SJRA officials caution boaters to be weary of debris floating in the lake.

"Even though the lake is still near the 100-year flood level, SJRA officials have decided to allow motorized vessels on the reservoir beginning at sunrise on Monday morning," the SJRA said in a statement. "Boaters should exercise caution and good judgment if they choose to use the reservoir as there is still a high risk of submerged objects and floating debris."

Original story

Lake Conroe is closed for Memorial Day weekend after heavy rainfall May 26 caused lake levels to rise, creating dangerous conditions.

The lake has risen to 203 inches above sea level, which is 2 feet higher than normal, according to the San Jacinto River Authority. This marks the second time Lake Conroe reached those levels this year.

Rising water levels have caused docks, bulkheads, small islands and other structures to be submerged underwater. Combined with high winds and low visibility, lake conditions are too dangerous to allow boaters and visitors to use the lake, SJRA spokesperson Ronda Trow said.

“Visibility is going to be bad,” she said. “When you have submerged objects and floating debris, and the waves are as high as they are because of the levels and wind, there are going to be things that boaters, kayakers and swimmers could potentially not see and run into.”

Although the SJRA hopes to open Lake Conroe in time for Memorial Day, Trow said no timetable has been established, and the agency will continue to monitor lake levels. The SJRA is releasing water from its dam at a rate of 8,120 cubic feet per second.

“We are continuing to watch water coming into the reservoir,” Trow said. “Even after it stops raining you still have a lot of water running into the reservoir. At this point, with water still coming in and more rainfall [expected] I cannot say when we can reopen the reservoir.”

For more information, visit www.sjra.net.