March 22, 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 6am. on March 10, 2016 due to the rainfall event. The current gauge reading at 6am is 172.15 feet msl. Currently 7 gates are open to 1 foot, 2 gates are open to 2 feet and one generator is running 24 hours per day for a total release of 19,194 cubic feet per second (cfs).
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 by submitting an e-comment request at: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp or calling the FERC Landowner Hotline at 1-877-337-2237.
