Lake Lavon Slowly Inching Toward An Emergency Release
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COLLIN COUNTY (CBS 11 NEWS) - An emergency water release at Lake Lavon seems likely, yet may not be as imminent as earlier feared.
As Tropical Storm Bill passed through Collin County Wednesday, Lake Lavon rose to nearly three inches from the top of the dam.
The lake is already eleven feet about normal.
However, because the tropical storm failed to dump as much rain in the area as originally forecast, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers was able to at least temporarily hold off an emergency water release.
"We've been holding as much water as we can here at Lavon to relieve the pressure on the downstream system so that the other area lakes especially in the Metroplex can get water off their emergency spillways," said lake manager Michael Kinard.
Water released from Lake Lavon flows into Lake Ray Hubbard which then sends it downstream into the Trinity River.
By adding more water to the Trinity downstream, water levels upstream in Dallas would likely recede slower.
Kinard said if the water levels reach the top of the dam, he will have to open the flood gates.
He said having water spill over the top of the dam could compromise the dam itself.
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