The Lake Level Projections posts are back after a long pause due to flood conditions. Over the past few months, all TRWD watersheds received well above normal rainfall, which filled all four TRWD lakes. In addition, excessive rains necessitated prolonged spillway operations at all TRWD lakes. The amount of flood water that was discharged from the TRWD’s West Fork system (Bridgeport and Eagle Mountain) was enough to refill Eagle Mountain Lake entirely! The excess water increased the storage in the West Fork system by 31%, and in TRWD’s total water supply system by 10% since April, putting the water supply system in a very favorable position for the summer.
Flood Overview
- Rainfall: During the spring months, the TRWD watersheds received from 2 to over 12 inches of rainfall above normal. See the Spring Rainfall map below.
- Storage: Between mid-April to the beginning of May, Total System Storage increased by 10%. The West Fork Storage increased by 31%.
- West Fork Inflows: Over 10,000 cfs from April 30 to May 4 flowed into the West Fork. That is the eighth highest five-day inflow in Lake Bridgeport history.
- River Height: The West Fork Trinity at Jacksboro gage peaked at 26.2 ft. That is the ninth highest stage since 1955.
- Spillway Operations: The amount of flood water released from TRWD’s West Fork system was enough to refill Eagle Mountain Lake entirely (about 1.1 times).
Spring Rainfall
Highlights:
- Temperature: So far, temperatures have been slightly below to near normal for this time of year due to a rainy June/July.
- Rainfall: June/July rains were, in general, near or above normal for all TRWD lakes. See the 30-Day Rainfall Total map below.
- Drought Conditions: Due to the excess rains over the past few months, most of Texas is currently free of drought, according to the NWS Drought Monitor.
Looking Ahead:
- July Forecast: Overall, the rest of July is expected to be warmer than normal with near-normal rainfall.
- Summer Outlook: Currently, ENSO conditions are neutral, but there’s a chance of shifting towards La Niña in the coming months, with a La Niña Watch in effect. Equal chances of near-normal precipitation and warmer than normal conditions are currently predicted for the next three months.
Stay Informed by Checking Out the Following:
- The latest lake level projections below.
- Links to historical lake level plots.
- Past projections compared to actual outcomes.
Thank you for following the Lake Level Blog. Check back next month for more updates!
TRWD Watershed Rainfall
30-Day Rainfall Totals
TRWD Lake Rainfall Totals through July 14, 2025
Lake Level Projection
Lake Bridgeport
Eagle Mountain Lake
Cedar Creek Lake
Richland-Chambers Lake
Acknowledgments:
- Weather Insights: Special thanks to Courtney Jalbert, TRWD’s Meteorologist, for providing detailed weather insights and forecasts.
- Reservoir Projections: A big thank you to Vini de Oliveira for his timely reservoir projections.
- Rainfall Analysis: Appreciation goes to Ashley Lowrie for her thorough analysis of observed rainfall.
