In an email sent at 4:10 p.m. May 4, San Jacinto River Authority officials announced they lowered the water release rate from Lake Conroe yet again to 18,955 cubic feet per second.
Lake Conroe's level is 202.59 feet, according to the email.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said in a Facebook post early May 4 that the region has been under a disaster declaration since April 29 and a disaster declaration has been signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
"I spoke with the governor yesterday and Lt. [Gov. Dan Patrick] earlier this morning," Keough said via Facebook. "Every available resource has been offered or assigned to Montgomery County, and we are actively coordinating assets and needs between our Emergency Operations Center and the State Operations Center."
More rain is expected over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, which Keough said the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be monitoring.
"Montgomery County and Texas is resilient, and we will come back stronger than ever," he said in the Facebook post.
Updated 10:30 a.m. May 4
The San Jacinto River Authority announced early May 4 that it has reduced the water release from Lake Conroe again.
In a post at 7:15 a.m. on X, formerly known as Twitter, SJRA officials said the water release has decreased again to 20,945 cubic feet per second. As of the update, the lake level is at 203.07 feet.
According to a post on X from the National Weather Service, more rainfall is expected the evening of May 4 through Sunday, May 5. A flood watch remains in effect until the afternoon of May 5 for much of Southeast Texas, including Harris and Montgomery counties.
Updated 4:08 p.m., May 3
The San Jacinto River Authority decreased the Lake Conroe dam release to 31,934 cubic feet per second as of 4 p.m. May 3, and the lake level was slightly lower than earlier in the day, at 203.51 feet.
At the West Fork of the San Jacinto River near Humble, water levels continued to rise with crests projected to occur from May 4-5, according to the National Weather Service. The projected highest water levels were slightly lower than previously projected. The West Fork near Conroe, east fork and Lake Creek areas had reached or passed the projected cresting points as of late afternoon May 3, according to the NWS.
San Jacinto, West Fork (near Humble)
- Stage as of 2:45 p.m. May 3: 55.56 feet
- Flood stage: 49.3 feet
- Projected crest: 61 feet
- Stage as of 2:15 p.m. May 3: 121.81 feet
- Flood stage: 115.8 feet
- Projected crest: 121.9 feet
- Stage as of 3 p.m. May 3: 76.66 feet
- Flood stage: 58 feet
- Projected crest: 78.4 feet
- Stage as of 2:45 p.m. May 3: 145.61 feet
- Flood stage: 138 feet
- Projected crest: 145.5 feet
Updated 11:46 a.m., May 3
As of 11:30 a.m., the San Jacinto River Authority announced in a news released it has reduced the release from Lake Conroe to 38,450 cubic feet per second, and the lake level was 203.82 feet. Water releases take place when the lake level reaches higher than 201 feet.
According to the release, more than 20 inches of rain have fallen north of Lake Conroe in the last seven days. The SJRA release noted that Lake Conroe releases flow into the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, which along with the east fork are among 12 tributaries that flow into Lake Houston.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news conference on Friday morning the SJRA releases are only one of the factors affecting flooding downstream, noting that neighboring watersheds, such as Little Cypress Creek, Spring Creek and Lake Creek, contribute to the flow.
"I know a lot of folks are concerned that the Lake Conroe releases are actually making flooding worse in the communities along the San Jacinto, but that water accounts only for about 20% of the water that gets there," Hidalgo said. "The SJRA controls the water release from Lake Conroe, and it's statutorily required of them that they maintain a certain water level; their dam is a source of water for the city of Houston. ... Catastrophic damage of the [dam] gate would be terrible for everybody south of that. ... It’s frustrating, but as best we can tell they are managing this in the optimal way within the constraints that exist."
Posted 10:38 a.m., May 3
Following a day of school closure announcements, flood warnings and evacuation advisories on May 2, more rain was predicted for May 3, but water release rates from the Lake Conroe Dam had dropped from as high as 70,000 cubic feet per second on May 2 to 41,575 cfs as of 10 a.m. May 3. Water releases began earlier this week, peaking late in the afternoon May 2 when Lake Conroe reached a level of about 205 feet. Water releases from the dam take place when Lake Conroe's level is above 201 feet.
Current situation
According to the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as of Friday morning a flood watch was still in effect for the region with more rain forecast during the day. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through 7 p.m. and a flood warning through noon. In addition:
- Voluntary evacuations were announced May 2 for several communities along the east fork of the San Jacinto River.
- Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery and Willis ISDs are among the districts closed May 3.
- Emergency shelters were open in Montgomery County and in surrounding areas.
San Jacinto, West Fork (near Humble)
- Stage as of 10 a.m. May 3: 54.38 feet
- Flood stage: 49.3 feet
- Projected crest: 61.1 feet
- Stage as of 10 a.m. May 3: 121.79 feet
- Flood stage: 115.8 feet
- Projected crest: 122.1 feet
- Stage as of 10 a.m. May 3: 69.16 feet
- Flood stage: 58 feet
- Projected crest: 78 feet
- Stage as of 10 a.m. May 3: 144.14 feet
- Flood stage: 138 feet
- Projected crest: 144 feet
Community Impact will continue to monitor updates and changes throughout the day May 3, including additional closures and emergency measures.
- Road closures can be viewed on a Montgomery County traffic and weather condition viewing tool online.
- Houston TranStar also provides information about high water levels and road closures in the region.
- The Harris County Flood Warning System includes rainfall amounts and stream elevation measurements extending into the Montgomery County area.
