Update 3/17/2016, 6pm, Water Releases Comply with FERC License
March 18, 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 (SRA-TX) and the Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana (SRA-LA) 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 4:30 pm is 172.58 feet msl. Currently 9 gates are open to 4 feet and one generator is running 24 hours per day for a total release of 45,729 cubic feet per second (cfs).
The Toledo Bend Reservoir is operated under a federally issued license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) who has approved the spillway gate guidelines in the license. These guidelines were developed using historical information which includes lake levels and downstream flood events. The guidelines are specifically designed to protect the integrity of the dam and to balance the concerns of upstream and downstream stakeholders.
Lake level concerns have been an issue in the past. In 2000 the Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance (landowners around Toledo Bend Reservoir) requested that FERC change the minimum operating level of Toledo Bend to a higher level for recreational purposes. The Sabine River Action Coalition (downstream landowners) asked for the reservoir level to be lowered in order to protect their downstream properties.
FERC conducted a two year collaborative process that looked at both sides of the issue and in December of 2002, FERC determined that the existing operating guidelines in the license provide the best balance for all concerned. At your request we will send you the entire collaborative report issued by FERC.
FERC is the one under Article 43 of the Toledo Bend Project license that directs any changes in the capacity of the project to the extent that it is economically sound and in the public interest to do so, after notice and opportunity for hearing. During this major flood event, the SRA-TX and SRA-LA were complying with the spillway guide that is part of the Toledo Bend Project license issued by FERC.
Now that there is a new flood of record, downstream landowners can contact FERC to consider changing the license at:
Landowner Helpline
Toll-free: 1-877-337-2237 FREE
LandownerHelp@ferc.gov
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.
