Editor's note: This story was updated with water levels for the South Concho River and the Colorado River at 6:15 p.m.
SAN ANGELO, TX — The heavy rain over the last few days has been a mixed bag for the Concho Valley.
While it has shut down roads and schools, it has also brought much-needed water to our area's rivers and lakes.
O.C. Fisher Reservoir in San Angelo, which was down to 0.8% capacity on Monday, had risen to 3.2% by Tuesday.
It has gained nearly 11 vertical feet of water, which equates to about 5,000 acre feet, said Chuck Brown, the former director of operations for the Upper Colorado River Authority who is now the CEO and president of Hydro Corporation.
One acre foot of water is equivalent to 326,000 gallons. The City of San Angelo uses about 13 million gallons per day on average.
"Considering O.C. Fisher was nothing but a puddle, it is now doing a lot better," Brown said.
Twin Buttes moved from 8.5% to 8.9% over the last two days.
"Twin Buttes has only come up about half a foot and gained about 1,000 acre feet so far, but I expect that to jump up significantly in the coming days," Brown said.
O.H. Ivie has seen a jump from 25.3% to 26.1% since Sunday.
"Not long ago there was a huge rise that hit the Concho River at Paint Rock that was very significant, about an 8- or 9-foot rise. It's currently flowing at 16,000 cubic feet per second. ...
"All that water at Paint Rock will eventually wind up in O.H. Ivie."
A few hours after we spoke with Brown on Tuesday afternoon, Ivie had already risen 1.7 feet and has seen a total increase of 12,400 acre feet since rain began last weekend.
Lake Spence near Robert Lee is up 0.3% to 13.3%.
"It's risen about a half a foot and gained 1,250 acre feet so far, but that was at 10 a.m. I'm expecting more, possibly much more," Brown said.
Lake Spence has since picked up another 1,000 acre feet of water as of 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Lake Nasworthy showed a 3.2% increase to move up to 94.7%.
The biggest winner in the area was Lake J.B. Thomas near Snyder. It has received 18,000 acre feet of water, along with a five-foot increase in elevation.
The South Concho River at Christoval was flowing at 4,100 cubic feet per second on a 5-foot rise as of 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. Current date shows it has leveled off.
The Colorado River at Ballinger has continued its upward climb. It is currently 17 feet above normal and flowing at 4,800 cubic feet per second as of 6:15 p.m. Moderate flooding is occurring at this level.
Water from Elm Creek rushes over the dam at Ballinger's City Park on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
In nearby Ballinger, Elm Creek was rushing over the normally quiet dam at the town's City Park.
The Colorado River was also swelling over its banks and carrying considerable debris in the fast-moving water.
Yet all of the rain was also wreaking havoc on roads around the area.
The Colorado River in Ballinger was moving quickly and carrying debris Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, after flooding in the area.
The Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office saved five individuals, including a 3-year-old child, from a flooded area near McMillan and Wright Road on Tuesday.
Just outside of Ballinger, a submerged low-water crossing was forcing vehicles to turn around and find a new route.
Water covers the road over a low-water crossing in Ballinger on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
Traffic was brought to a halt on US 67 about 2 miles northeast of Miles, where water was flowing over the highway. A line of vehicles was waiting as others slowly made their way through the water. A few vehicles were stalled or stopped along the shoulder.
The area around Miles High School was submerged in water Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. With some roads in the area impassable due to flooding, Miles ISD canceled classes for the day.
Numerous schools in the area canceled classes or started the day late.
Check here for an updated list of school and road closures.
Elm Creek in Ballinger was filled with water Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, after ongoing heavy rain in the area.
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