Montgomery County signed a contract with Texas A&M University for a study on the economic impact of future water levels at Lake Conroe.
Montgomery County joined forces with several other cities, water districts and lake organizations in fund the study that will determine the effect future lake levels will have on property and sales taxes in the county. The San Jancinto River Authority plans to use the lake to supplement the water supply in the county, which could drop lake levels during periods of drought.
“The bottom line for this study is to help move along the process through Region H to start a study for a second source of water for Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler. “We need another lake, like at Lake Creek or other lakes north of here.”
Sadler is promoting an idea to build a second water reservoir in the county in the Sam Houston National Forest. The Region H Water Planning Board is one of 16 water supply boards that make recommendations to the Texas Water Department Board for water resource in the state. It is studying future reservoirs or supplies from Allen Creek in Wallis, Bedias Creek in Madison County or Little River in Milano.
Region H, which covers 15 counties in the Houston area, estimates that the population will more than double by 2060, increasing the demand for more water. Montgomery County is under a mandate to reduce its reliance on the underground water supply by 30 percent by 2016. To meet the demand, the San Jacinto River Authority plans to use water from Lake Conroe and pipe it to heavy population areas of The Woodlands and Conroe.
While the plan is expected to have little effect on lake levels, during extended periods of drought, studies estimate lake level may be reduced from 201 feet at the dam to 187 to 190 feet, which is lower than levels experienced following Hurricane Rita in 2005.
The county wants to measure the effects on property values, property taxes and sales tax revenues during this period. The Texas A & M study will use a study of lake level by the engineering of Freese and Nichols Inc. to predict the future economic impact.
Water Planning in Montgomery County
Region H represents 15 counties in the Houston area in planning for future water resources for the state. Region H is studying several future water sources, include Allen Creek in Wallis, Bedias Creek in Madison County or Little River in Milano. For more information on Region H or its studies, visit www.regionhwater.com
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Comments
lake conroe water shed
Lake conroe is basically a constant level lake without the ability to store water for future ground water requirements. The business owners and property owners on lake conroe would be seriously affected by any proposed lowering of the lake level. I have a sugestion which to me seems valid. Why not pipe water from the trinity river at Riverside to the west fork of the San Jac river water shed at Huntsville. The water piped should equal the maximum future gound water required from lake conroe. The road from Riverside to Huntsville is basically undeveloped and will be expanded to 4 to six lanes by the highway dept, so the right of way is available. The total length of the pipeline would be approx. 12 miles. This seems to me to be a very viable solution to the proposed problem and would have no affect on business relying on a constant lake level. The excess water (water not required at this time) could then be discharged down the west fork San Jac.
Thank You for the oportunity to express my opion
Bill Braund
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