With steady rainfall impacting the region Lake Conroe water levels have exceeded the normal pooling level, and the San Jacinto River Authority has begun implementing controlled releases from the Lake Conroe dam, according to a Dec. 7 news release from the SJRA. The SJRA, which is the state agency that works to conserve the water resources of the San Jacinto River watershed, stated in a news release officials began slowly releasing water at 12:30 p.m. at a rate of 1,059 cubic feet per second. The watershed received roughly 1.7 inches of rainfall, exceeding Lake Conroe's normal pooling level of 201 feet above mean sea level. News of controlled releases came a day after the SJRA sent out a news release stating officials were preparing for severe weather forecasted to impact the Houston region this weekend. The Dec. 6 release stated officials were monitoring lake levels, establishing 24-hour work schedules, testing all equipment and communicating with officials in Montgomery and Harris counties. To stay up-to-date on Lake Conroe water levels, releases, rainfall totals and stream flows, click here.