March 15, 2016 - (Toledo Bend Reservoir) Spillway releases from the Toledo Bend Reservoir are continuing to be reduced as lake levels lower in the aftermath of the major rain event which dropped 18 inches of water directly over Toledo Bend. Toledo Bend Reservoir, operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas and the Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana reached a record level high of 174.36 feet mean sea level (msl) at 6:00 a.m. on March 10, 2016 due to the rainfall event. The current gauge reading at 3:00 pm Tuesday is 172.52 feet msl.
Releases through the spillway gates, which protect the integrity of the dam, follow the Guide for Spillway Gate Operation specifically designed for operation of the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Currently 4 gates are open to 7 feet, 5 gates are open to 6 feet and one generator is running 24 hours per day for a total release of 67,164 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Toledo Bend Reservoir is not a flood control reservoir and reaches full pool at 172.0 feet msl. The integrity of the dam is intact and is operating as designed. According to estimates of the National Weather Service River Forecast Center, Toledo Bend Reservoir received approximately 250,000 cfs at the peak of the rain event (1.8 million gallons per second - gps). Using the Spillway Gate Operation, the reservoir released 207,000 cfs (1.5 million gps) at the peak and was able to hold 43,000 cfs (300,000 gps) in the reservoir during the flood event.
Although rainfall from the major rain event has decreased, impacts from the event will include downstream flooding. The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a record flood event for Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Their latest forecast model shows gauge heights to go over flood stage in Burkeville, Bon Weir, Deweyville and Orange.
The Burkeville gauge reached a peak flood stage of 53.82 feet at 2:30 p.m. on March 11, 2016 which is 6 feet above the flood stage recorded in 1989. The gauge at Bon Wier reached a peak flood stage of 44.21 feet on March 13, 2016 which is 6.3 feet above the flood stage recorded in 1989. NWS forecasts show a decrease for both gauges.
The Ruliff (Deweyville) gauge is currently 33.23 feet and not forecasted to go any higher. This sets a new record and will be 4 feet above the flood level recorded in 1989. The water surface reached moderate flood stage (26 feet) on Saturday, March 12th and reached the major flood stage (28 feet) on Sunday, March 13th. The Orange gauge is currently 6.67 feet on and is forecasted to climb to a peak of 7.5 feet by Wednesday night, March 16th. This forecast is 1.6 feet above the flood level recorded in 1989.
The Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA-TX) and the Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana (SRA-LA) want to emphasize the importance of keeping informed and staying safe during this flooding event.
Please contact the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) at 1-800-452-9292 or the Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) at 1-877-452-3683 for any road closures. Please contact your local county and parish offices for more information on evacuation orders.
