CONROE, Texas – Lake Conroe will be reopened to motorized vessels beginning at sunrise on Monday.
The lake has been closed to boaters this Memorial Day weekend because water levels are more than two feet above normal.
Even though the lake is still near the 100-year flood level, San Jacinto River Authority officials have decided to allow motorized vessels on the reservoir on Monday. They say boaters should exercise caution and good judgment if they choose to use the reservoir, as there is still a high risk of submerged objects and floating debris.
As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, SJRA officials have reduced the rate of release from the Lake Conroe dam to 13,765 cubic feet per second. Officials are attempting to slow releases to the extent possible to reduce flows downstream while staying within operational protocols. Authorities are preparing for potential rainfall later in the week.
Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office was on patrol this weekend, making sure boaters are staying off the water. KHOU ran into one family who was caught off guard by the water's rise.
"What's going on is the water level has gotten so high the top of his boat is starting to hit the roof of his dock," said Lt. Tim Cade.
"We didn't come up with a plan B until it was too late," said Mark Jaehne, who is vacationing on Lake Conroe.
Now, they’re just trying to keep their boat secure.
"I've lived here eight years and I've never seen it like this," shouted another man in the water.
Out on the water, the real danger is what you can't see.
"Tree debris, trees floating around, debris that's coming in through the tributaries that all combines and it's all hidden under the water," Cade said.
The lake was closed back in March and part of Memorial Day weekend last year. Before that, it was 2002, which puts into perspective how long it's been since we've dealt with this much water.
