lakeRain_bayouJuly2013Additional overnight rains on the Lake Brownwood water shed has helped increase the lake’s level by more than one foot as of Tuesday morning with more runoff expected, according to Brown County Water Improvement District general manager Dennis Spinks.

“So far the lake is up one foot,” Spinks said Tuesday morning.  “We should get water into the lake for a couple of days.”

Heavy overnight rain north and west of the lake has caused the Jim Ned Creek and Pecan Bayou to rise significantly and begin flowing into Lake Brownwood.   USGS information indicates that the lake is rising a little more than one inch per hour Tuesday morning.

“The Jim Ned and Bayou had a 5 foot rise and are flowing,” Spinks said.   “And it is still raining at the upper part of the water shed.”

Spinks said that the additional rainfall will likely raise the lake level an additional foot and possibly more.

“That’s good,” Spinks said. “We still have a good chance for rain tonight and tomorrow.”

The ground was already saturated from the Sunday night and Monday rains that elevated the lake a few inches at the time.  Any additional rain will likely runoff and help continue to raise the lake level.

This increase in the lake level is expected to hold off any Stage 4 water restrictions at least for another month.

Pictured at top is the Pecan Bayou flowing Tuesday morning after the overnight rain.  Photo courtesy Lake Brownwood State Park.