A May 7 Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management news release stated rivers in South Montgomery County are expected to crest their banks due to severe rainfall that fell over the region. Residents in the Humble and New Caney areas should steer clear of specific areas; the West Fork of the San Jacinto River near Humble is expected to crest at 10 p.m. at 51.2 feet, while the East Fork of the San Jacinto River near New Caney is expected to crest at the same time at 62.3 feet, according to the OHSEM release. The release urged the community to stay away from the rivers until water levels recede and for motorists to steer clear of water on roadways. As water flows down the San Jacinto River, it gathers in Lake Houston—which is currently above its normal pooling level. According to data on the Coastal Water Authority website, Lake Houston’s water level at 9:30 p.m. was at 44.07 feet above mean seal level—higher than the normal pool level of 42.5 feet above mean sea level. The San Jacinto River Authority—the authority that manages water resources in the San Jacinto River watershed—is also implementing controlled releases, according to release rate data from the SJRA website.  Lake Conroe’s water level is at 201.21 feet above mean sea level, as of 9:30 p.m. May 7, which is higher than its normal pool level of 201 feet above mean sea level, according to the SJRA data. In order to bring the lake down to its normal pool level, the SJRA has been implementing controlled releases from the dam. Water is being released from the dam at a rate of 1,591 cubic feet per second. For up-to-date information on water and river levels in and around the Lake Conroe and Lake Houston area, visit www.sanjacinto.onerain.com/home.php and www.harriscountyfws.org, respectively.