GALVESTON, Texas (Aug.29, 2017) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District made increased controlled releases today to maintain control of the Addicks and Barker Dams.
The decision to make the increased controlled releases was a difficult, but necessary one, according to Corps officials. The current discharge rates are approximately 7,000 cubic feet per second and 6,000 cfs, respectively, for a combined total discharge of 13,000 cfs.
“The decision to make the increased controlled releases was a difficult, but necessary one that we did not take lightly,” said Edmond Russo, Galveston District deputy engineer. We made them quicker than we would have preferred, because the Addicks pool rose faster overnight than we had forecast and the pool threatened our structures.”
Rapid inflows to the reservoirs impacted the normal operation of the gates could have caused unacceptable risk to the spillway.
The gates on Barker were opened slower, initially to observe both structures before determining if it was appropriate to increase releases to full discharge.
The Corps consulted with engineering experts from all over the country throughout this process to assist in making these decisions.
“We will continue our monitoring and modeling as new information becomes available and will continue to report on the status of current conditions and expected conditions,” Russo stated.
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Release no. 17-033