Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department have declared Lake Houston closed to recreational activities this weekend for safety reasons. The decision comes following this week's heavy rains from Tropical Storm Imelda that deluged the Houston area and flooded streets and swelled area waterways. High water levels can make it difficult to see dangerous objects underneath the surface and also cause stronger currents that could make water rescues much more challenging.
"The effects of Tropical Storm Imelda are still being felt by our neighbors across the region. In the interest of safety, we are asking citizens to avoid Lake Houston for recreational activities this weekend until conditions improve," said Steve Wright, Director Houston Parks and Recreation Department. "We plan to reopen on Monday as water levels subside."
Lake Houston is a reservoir on the San Jacinto River. It is located approximately 25 miles northeast of downtown Houston. It was constructed by the City of Houston in 1954 with a maximum capacity of 146,700 acre-feet and surface area of 19.1 square miles. It is one of the area's most popular fishing destinations.