STORMS BRING LAKE SOMERVILLE, BRAZOS RIVER ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS

  

Levels at Lake Somerville and the Brazos River have risen considerably, following the recent heavy rains that pounded the Brazos Valley.

According to www.somerville.lakesonline.com, lake levels sit at 250 feet, over 12 feet above the full pool of 238 feet.  Flood pool levels for Lake Somerville are 258 feet.

Lake Manager Russell Meier said the park has seen several camp site closures as a result of last week’s storms.

 

Meier said, due to the high amount of water downstream, the floodgates have not been opened.

 

Forecasts call for further chance of rain throughout this week, with high probability for thunderstorms until Sunday. Meier said anyone still headed out to the lake should use extreme caution with floating debris and submerged items such as picnic tables and barbecue pits.

The Brazos River has also risen because of the recent storms. According to projections from the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, the river near Hempstead is expected to crest tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon at 48 feet.  Flood stage for the river near Hempstead is 50 feet.

The Brazos River at Richmond is projected to crest Friday morning at 47 feet, two feet above minor flood stage and a foot below moderate flood stage. The Brazos near Rosharon could rise to 49 feet by Friday afternoon, two feet above moderate flood stage and two feet below major flood stage.

Projections for the river above San Felipe show it cresting Thursday morning at 120 feet, two-and-a-half feet below flood stage.