President’s Letter August 20th, 2026
Join us August 26th for the LCA Mid-Year Townhall
I would like to extend an invitation to all LCA members and any interested area residents to join us at the Conroe Chamber office on Wednesday August 26th at 10AM for presentations and discussions on several important topics involving Lake Conroe. The Chamber address is 505 West Davis in downtown Conroe.
Background – as many of you are aware the LCA has been in opposition to Lake Conroe prerelease for flood mitigation since 2019 due to the lack of a comprehensive technical study supporting prerelease, lack of regulatory authorization, and what we have presented as proof of waste of almost 50 billion gallons of raw water.
To be clear, the LCA has been strong and vocal supporters of any materially effective flood mitigation projects to protect the Lake Houston area. We believe the planned Lake Houston Dam Spillway expansion will be an excellent mitigation – if built. The problem is that it was promised to be finished in late 2024, then 2026, then 2029, and recently now by 2030. In the meantime, the most effective mitigation in place is prerelease of water from Lake Houston prior to significant rain events. Lake Houston and Lake Conroe are fundamentally different lakes in terms of watershed areas, recharge rates, and applicability of prerelease.
The latest LCA / Bleyl study results, with up-to-date inputs and analysis, is aligned with previous SJRA and LCA studies confirming the ineffectiveness of prerelease lowering of Lake Conroe to mitigate flooding beyond the location of the San Jacinto River and I-45.
Townhall Agenda
- A review of the results of the new LCA funded technical study on the effectiveness of lowering Lake Conroe for flood mitigation. A six-month study recently completed by Bleyl Engineering provides an updated and comprehensive analysis of the impact of lowering Lake Conroe (prerelease of 1-2 feet) on the flood impacts due to a significant rain event. The area of study extended from Lake Conroe to Lake Houston. The study used updated rainfall models, a detailed drainage analysis from the San Jacinto Regional Master Drainage Plan and updated FEMA flood maps. The study compares impacts of flooding heights and footprints based on Lake Conroe starting levels and a range of dam release rates.
- Hydrilla Status – the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department May 2026 Hydrilla survey will be compared to 2025 surveys. A significant increase in Hydrilla coverage did occur in 2026 in several areas of the lake. A discussion of the 2026 spraying efforts and current results along with the plan for the Fall Survey and likely actions will be summarized.
- Save Bird Island Initiative – The founders, Madi Bullock and Samanatha Perrigue, will give a brief overview of the significant loss of habitat at Bird Island and efforts to arrest its deterioration and then potentially restore the habitat. The Save Bird Island initiative is close to finalizing its federal non-profit 501(c) 3 designation and will be looking for tax deductible donations from interested people very soon. They are working concurrently with LCA, SJRA, and many other stakeholders to make this important environmental restoration project a reality.
- Lake Conroe levels – evaporation and withdrawal impacts. Materials will be presented and discussed showing that from July 2025 until July 2026 the lake reached full pool or above for only about 6 weeks – just slightly more than 10% of the twelve-month period. Long term residents are asking why the water levels are low, dropping so much daily, and staying lower longer. We can no longer take water conservation and eliminating water waste for granted. At current water use and normal evaporation rates, an ongoing moderate drought will have significant consequences. Recent studies will be discussed regarding lake level implications of a moderate to severe drought like 2011/12.
Materials used in the meeting will be made available on the LCA website within two weeks of the meeting. Please join us on the 26th if your schedule permits. Bring your questions or concerns that you want addressed to the meeting and if you cannot attend feel free to send me an email with any questions or requests.
The LCA’s mission is to protect the resources of Lake Conroe and residents’ rights and interests in protecting their property and businesses that rely on good management of the lake. Our efforts are funded solely from donations, with over 99% going directly to fund projects like the Bleyl study. The LCA is a 501(c) 3 charity and donations are tax deductible. Please join as a Voting Member ($100 annual contribution) or donate any amount -higher or lower – to help keep us in the lead role of protecting Lake Conroe.
To learn more or to donate please go to the LCA website at https://lcatx.org/
Kevin Lacy – President of the Lake Conroe Association – [email protected] – August 20, 2026