The B.S. Thread
SJRA updates residents on lake issues
By Brad Meyer
Updated: 02.06.09
LAKE CONROE – San Jacinto River Authority officials discussed hydrilla, dam repairs and the future use of Lake Conroe water during a meeting of concerned citizens last week.
The Lake Conroe Communities Network, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of area individuals, business owners, communities and subdivisions organized the meeting to address issues of importance to those that live and work near the lake.
“We appreciate the willingness of SJRA management to update the community on issues that impact our lives and our livelihoods,” said Norm Frank, LCCN president. “Lake Conroe is going to be increasingly important for residents throughout the county.”
Blake Kellum, SJRA division manager, started the meeting with an update on the successful eradication of hydrilla, an invasive water weed that has been a significant problem in recent years.
“You won’t see it in any appreciable quantities for a while,” he said. “Our most recent survey shows there is less than two acres in the entire lake, and we still have more than 100,000 white Amur grass carp to keep it under control.”
Kellum said officials do not anticipate hydrilla being an issue for at least four or five years but will conduct regular surveys to make sure the problem is addressed in a timely manner when the need arises.
Repairs to the Lake Conroe dam following Hurricane Ike are proceeding well, Kellum said. Wave action damaged approximately 1,500 feet of the 12,000-foot dam, necessitating nearly $1 million in repairs.
“We’re replacing the large rocks and boulders at present,” he said. “We anticipate the entire project will be completed by the end of March or early April.”
The biggest topic of interest, however, was the future of Lake Conroe as a source of water for Houston and Montgomery County. With growth outpacing groundwater resources, state agencies will limit the amount of water that can be drawn from wells – compelling the use of surface water.
“The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District is mandating we come up with alternative water sources,” said Jace Houston, SJRA deputy general manager-administration. “Lake Conroe is a logical source, but Houston owns two-thirds of it and there will be a lot of local demand as well.”
Several waterfront homeowners expressed concern that Lake Conroe’s water level might plummet in the future as water demand increases. Jay Schmidt, a recent arrival from northern Nevada who is considering a lakefront home purchase, was particularly concerned about the impact of drawing water from Lake Conroe.
“Water management is a huge problem in Nevada,” he said. “I’d hate to see the lake drained away from waterfront homes.”
Based on historical release records, Houston assured Schmidt and the other attendees that lake levels would not be significantly affected unless the area experienced severe drought conditions – something that hasn’t happed in more than 50 years.
“The availability of water is crucial to our current and future population,” he said. “It’s not a problem now. But if we don’t come up with a viable plan, it someday will be.”
For more information about SJRA and Lake Conroe, visit www.sjra.net.
At a glance
The Lake Conroe Communities Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group formed to address issues of importance to residents and businesses in communities and subdivisions in the Lake Conroe area. For more information about the organization and its efforts in the community, call LCCN president Norm Frank at (936) 447-6118.
By Brad Meyer
Updated: 02.06.09
LAKE CONROE – San Jacinto River Authority officials discussed hydrilla, dam repairs and the future use of Lake Conroe water during a meeting of concerned citizens last week.
The Lake Conroe Communities Network, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of area individuals, business owners, communities and subdivisions organized the meeting to address issues of importance to those that live and work near the lake.
“We appreciate the willingness of SJRA management to update the community on issues that impact our lives and our livelihoods,” said Norm Frank, LCCN president. “Lake Conroe is going to be increasingly important for residents throughout the county.”
Blake Kellum, SJRA division manager, started the meeting with an update on the successful eradication of hydrilla, an invasive water weed that has been a significant problem in recent years.
“You won’t see it in any appreciable quantities for a while,” he said. “Our most recent survey shows there is less than two acres in the entire lake, and we still have more than 100,000 white Amur grass carp to keep it under control.”
Kellum said officials do not anticipate hydrilla being an issue for at least four or five years but will conduct regular surveys to make sure the problem is addressed in a timely manner when the need arises.
Repairs to the Lake Conroe dam following Hurricane Ike are proceeding well, Kellum said. Wave action damaged approximately 1,500 feet of the 12,000-foot dam, necessitating nearly $1 million in repairs.
“We’re replacing the large rocks and boulders at present,” he said. “We anticipate the entire project will be completed by the end of March or early April.”
The biggest topic of interest, however, was the future of Lake Conroe as a source of water for Houston and Montgomery County. With growth outpacing groundwater resources, state agencies will limit the amount of water that can be drawn from wells – compelling the use of surface water.
“The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District is mandating we come up with alternative water sources,” said Jace Houston, SJRA deputy general manager-administration. “Lake Conroe is a logical source, but Houston owns two-thirds of it and there will be a lot of local demand as well.”
Several waterfront homeowners expressed concern that Lake Conroe’s water level might plummet in the future as water demand increases. Jay Schmidt, a recent arrival from northern Nevada who is considering a lakefront home purchase, was particularly concerned about the impact of drawing water from Lake Conroe.
“Water management is a huge problem in Nevada,” he said. “I’d hate to see the lake drained away from waterfront homes.”
Based on historical release records, Houston assured Schmidt and the other attendees that lake levels would not be significantly affected unless the area experienced severe drought conditions – something that hasn’t happed in more than 50 years.
“The availability of water is crucial to our current and future population,” he said. “It’s not a problem now. But if we don’t come up with a viable plan, it someday will be.”
For more information about SJRA and Lake Conroe, visit www.sjra.net.
At a glance
The Lake Conroe Communities Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group formed to address issues of importance to residents and businesses in communities and subdivisions in the Lake Conroe area. For more information about the organization and its efforts in the community, call LCCN president Norm Frank at (936) 447-6118.
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From: Lake Conroe, TX.
SJRA updates residents on lake issues
By Brad Meyer
Updated: 02.06.09
LAKE CONROE – San Jacinto River Authority officials discussed hydrilla, dam repairs and the future use of Lake Conroe water during a meeting of concerned citizens last week.
The Lake Conroe Communities Network, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of area individuals, business owners, communities and subdivisions organized the meeting to address issues of importance to those that live and work near the lake.
“We appreciate the willingness of SJRA management to update the community on issues that impact our lives and our livelihoods,” said Norm Frank, LCCN president. “Lake Conroe is going to be increasingly important for residents throughout the county.”
Blake Kellum, SJRA division manager, started the meeting with an update on the successful eradication of hydrilla, an invasive water weed that has been a significant problem in recent years.
“You won’t see it in any appreciable quantities for a while,” he said. “Our most recent survey shows there is less than two acres in the entire lake, and we still have more than 100,000 white Amur grass carp to keep it under control.”
Kellum said officials do not anticipate hydrilla being an issue for at least four or five years but will conduct regular surveys to make sure the problem is addressed in a timely manner when the need arises.
Repairs to the Lake Conroe dam following Hurricane Ike are proceeding well, Kellum said. Wave action damaged approximately 1,500 feet of the 12,000-foot dam, necessitating nearly $1 million in repairs.
“We’re replacing the large rocks and boulders at present,” he said. “We anticipate the entire project will be completed by the end of March or early April.”
The biggest topic of interest, however, was the future of Lake Conroe as a source of water for Houston and Montgomery County. With growth outpacing groundwater resources, state agencies will limit the amount of water that can be drawn from wells – compelling the use of surface water.
“The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District is mandating we come up with alternative water sources,” said Jace Houston, SJRA deputy general manager-administration. “Lake Conroe is a logical source, but Houston owns two-thirds of it and there will be a lot of local demand as well.”
Several waterfront homeowners expressed concern that Lake Conroe’s water level might plummet in the future as water demand increases. Jay Schmidt, a recent arrival from northern Nevada who is considering a lakefront home purchase, was particularly concerned about the impact of drawing water from Lake Conroe.
“Water management is a huge problem in Nevada,” he said. “I’d hate to see the lake drained away from waterfront homes.”
Based on historical release records, Houston assured Schmidt and the other attendees that lake levels would not be significantly affected unless the area experienced severe drought conditions – something that hasn’t happed in more than 50 years.
“The availability of water is crucial to our current and future population,” he said. “It’s not a problem now. But if we don’t come up with a viable plan, it someday will be.”
For more information about SJRA and Lake Conroe, visit www.sjra.net.
At a glance
The Lake Conroe Communities Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group formed to address issues of importance to residents and businesses in communities and subdivisions in the Lake Conroe area. For more information about the organization and its efforts in the community, call LCCN president Norm Frank at (936) 447-6118.
By Brad Meyer
Updated: 02.06.09
LAKE CONROE – San Jacinto River Authority officials discussed hydrilla, dam repairs and the future use of Lake Conroe water during a meeting of concerned citizens last week.
The Lake Conroe Communities Network, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of area individuals, business owners, communities and subdivisions organized the meeting to address issues of importance to those that live and work near the lake.
“We appreciate the willingness of SJRA management to update the community on issues that impact our lives and our livelihoods,” said Norm Frank, LCCN president. “Lake Conroe is going to be increasingly important for residents throughout the county.”
Blake Kellum, SJRA division manager, started the meeting with an update on the successful eradication of hydrilla, an invasive water weed that has been a significant problem in recent years.
“You won’t see it in any appreciable quantities for a while,” he said. “Our most recent survey shows there is less than two acres in the entire lake, and we still have more than 100,000 white Amur grass carp to keep it under control.”
Kellum said officials do not anticipate hydrilla being an issue for at least four or five years but will conduct regular surveys to make sure the problem is addressed in a timely manner when the need arises.
Repairs to the Lake Conroe dam following Hurricane Ike are proceeding well, Kellum said. Wave action damaged approximately 1,500 feet of the 12,000-foot dam, necessitating nearly $1 million in repairs.
“We’re replacing the large rocks and boulders at present,” he said. “We anticipate the entire project will be completed by the end of March or early April.”
The biggest topic of interest, however, was the future of Lake Conroe as a source of water for Houston and Montgomery County. With growth outpacing groundwater resources, state agencies will limit the amount of water that can be drawn from wells – compelling the use of surface water.
“The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District is mandating we come up with alternative water sources,” said Jace Houston, SJRA deputy general manager-administration. “Lake Conroe is a logical source, but Houston owns two-thirds of it and there will be a lot of local demand as well.”
Several waterfront homeowners expressed concern that Lake Conroe’s water level might plummet in the future as water demand increases. Jay Schmidt, a recent arrival from northern Nevada who is considering a lakefront home purchase, was particularly concerned about the impact of drawing water from Lake Conroe.
“Water management is a huge problem in Nevada,” he said. “I’d hate to see the lake drained away from waterfront homes.”
Based on historical release records, Houston assured Schmidt and the other attendees that lake levels would not be significantly affected unless the area experienced severe drought conditions – something that hasn’t happed in more than 50 years.
“The availability of water is crucial to our current and future population,” he said. “It’s not a problem now. But if we don’t come up with a viable plan, it someday will be.”
For more information about SJRA and Lake Conroe, visit www.sjra.net.
At a glance
The Lake Conroe Communities Network is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group formed to address issues of importance to residents and businesses in communities and subdivisions in the Lake Conroe area. For more information about the organization and its efforts in the community, call LCCN president Norm Frank at (936) 447-6118.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 14,914
Likes: 1
From: Lake Conroe, TX.
Call Lefty, he should be able to give them some helpful tips.



