Toledo Bend Spillway Release Notification

(Burkeville, TX) On Sunday, March 30^th, a significant rain event occurred around Toledo Bend Reservoir with one gauge reporting 16.93” in approximately eight hours. The lake elevation on Sunday morning was 170.5’ mean sea level (m.s.l.) and by Monday morning was 172.5’ m.s.l. The Toledo Bend Project Joint Operation at Toledo Bend Reservoir, which is jointly operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA-TX) and the Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana (SRA-LA), sends out the following spillway release notification message:

This notice is to remind the public that Toledo Bend Reservoir is not a flood control reservoir and to advise those persons having interests in the Sabine River Basin below the reservoir that as of 6:00 a.m., on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, the lake elevation was 173.0’ m.s.l. with both generators at the powerhouse operating 24 hours per day seven days per week. Presently all eleven (11) spillway gates are open two (2) feet each. Total releases are + 36,098 cfs.

Interested persons should monitor available news sources for current river and reservoir levels and reservoir release amounts since the river will continue to rise to flood stage and evacuation of persons, animals and property may become necessary.

The Toledo Bend Project offices, as well as the local sheriff’s offices, will be able to give the latest reported river stages and river forecasts received from the National Weather Service River Forecast Center. Toledo Bend Project office numbers are 409-565-2273 (SRA-TX) and 337-286-5253 (SRA-LA).