This Week in Review
| Reservoir | Level | % Full | 7-Day Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Lake | 318.63 ft | 83.7% | -0.190 ft | Falling |
| Richland-Chambers | 313.17 ft | 92.8% | +0.070 ft | Rising |
| Lake Palestine | 344.88 ft | 99.4% | -0.090 ft | Falling |
Inflow Indicator — 5-Day Trend
Downstream Discharge (Dam Releases)
| Location | Gauge | Trend | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek | Trinity River at Trinidad | 2.0x avg — elevated | 2,350 cfs (avg: 1,175) |
| Lake Palestine | Neches River near Neches | Above average | 301 cfs (avg: 206) |
| Richland-Chambers | Chambers Creek near Rice | Stable | 14 cfs (avg: 13) |
Regional News & Community Updates
• Texas flood mitigation funding hits $54 billion need. The State Flood Plan identifies a massive gap between current infrastructure and what's needed. Texas has funded hundreds of millions through FIF and other programs, but the total need dwarfs current allocations. Read more (TPR)
• Central Texas flood risks persist. Recent reporting highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in communities with aging drainage infrastructure — a pattern that mirrors what we see across the Cedar Creek, Palestine, and Richland-Chambers regions. KXAN Austin
• Texas' $20 billion water investment faces long road. State leadership acknowledges the scale of the challenge. FIF funding continues to be the primary vehicle for flood mitigation grants, with new cycles expected later this year. Texas Tribune
TWDB & Funding Updates
• FIF Dashboard updated March 31, 2026. The TWDB Flood Infrastructure Fund dashboard shows active project tracking across Texas. Communities in our tri-lake region with no FIF applications on record include Gun Barrel City, Tool, Seven Points, Star Harbor, and all Lake Palestine / Richland-Chambers communities. View FIF Dashboard
• Athens leads the region with $720K in active flood mitigation scoping and $18M in CWSRF funding. Mabank has secured $28.8M in TWDB loans for water infrastructure. These are the only two communities in the tri-lake area actively using TWDB programs.
• Opportunity: Most communities around all three lakes have never applied for FIF funding. With Palestine at 99.4% capacity and aging drainage infrastructure across the region, the case for flood mitigation grants has never been stronger.
Next 7 Days — Regional Forecast
Today's rain showers should provide a nice boost, with 1.67 inches expected, but then we're looking at a dry stretch through most of next week. The lack of meaningful precipitation until Friday means evaporation will start taking its toll, especially as temperatures climb into the upper 70s by Thursday.
Flood Risk Assessment
| Reservoir | Risk Level | Dominant Factor | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Lake | Low | Rainfall vs. Drainage Capacity | 3.4 ft below pool provides solid buffer. |
| Richland-Chambers | Low | Rainfall vs. Drainage Capacity | 1.8 ft below pool provides solid buffer. |
| Lake Palestine | Moderate | Reservoir Capacity Pressure | Only 0.12 ft below pool. Limited buffer. |
What to Watch
• How much today's 1.67 inches of rain actually translates to reservoir gains versus runoff, given the elevated discharge rates
• Whether the five-day dry spell Tuesday through Saturday will start showing noticeable evaporation impacts on Lake Palestine's near-full levels
• Friday's potential storm system that could bring 0.77 inches — timing and coverage will be critical for all three reservoirs
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