Recent storms have brought 5-10 inches of rainfall to Brown County, helping to raise the level of Lake Brownwood over the past few days.

According to Brown County Water Improvement District General Manager Dennis Spinks, the rains have soaked into the watershed of the lake and now any further rain on the watershed will continue to add volume to Lake Brownwood.  Currently at 1414.2 msl, Lake Brownwood is up a foot and still rising.

“Lake Patrol has been out on the lake looking and the Jim Ned is flowing well, more water is coming in from the Jim Ned than the Pecan Bayou,” explained Spinks.  “There was a lot more rain back toward Coleman, so water should continue flowing for another couple of days, hopefully raising the level another 6 inches or more.”

Spinks explained that other creeks and tributaries are flowing into the lake, but that the Jim Ned seems to be carrying the majority of the water.

The area is hopeful for more rain, as the forecasts gave a 40% chance of rain and at mid-afternoon, an area of northwest Brown County, including the area near the lake dam and spillway were receiving heavy rains.  Spinks was hopeful that this next storm would be productive for the lake.

“With the last few days of rain, which are not normal in the past years, and the formation of an El Nino pattern forecasted, we might be seeing the drought eventually coming to an end,” explained Spinks.

He explained that the El Nino pattern forming in the Pacific Ocean gives the area a better than normal chance of rain.

“Just getting to 3-5 feet under spillway would give us a lot of relief,” said Spinks hopefully.  “I’d like to see it running over the spillway, like the Pecan Bayou is running over its dam today.”

The last time the spillway was running over was back in April of 2007, according to Spinks.

Thankful for all rainfall and any addition to the volume of Lake Brownwood, Spinks stated that the lake was in better condition that it was this time last year.

“Right now, there is a very secure two year supply of water in Lake Brownwood,” said Spinks.