Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the current lake elevation and generation schedule? Why is the lake elevation low (or high)? How do I make a campsite reservation? Why are some campsites non-reservable? Where does the money go when I pay to rent a campsite or launch a boat? How can I become a Gate Attendant in one of the parks? What is a Special Event or Lake Activity Permit and why would I need one? Where can I rent a boat or a jet ski? Can I get a permit to build a boathouse or a dock on the lake? How can my son or daughter volunteer a project for Eagle Scout or Gold Award? What is the record for the largest fish caught in the lake? Where can I operate my 4 wheeler or Off Road Vehicle on Corps land at Sam Rayburn? Where can I Hunt on Sam Rayburn? What facilities are available for a family reunion? What is the policy on metal detectors? What is the policy on geocaching?
How do I find the current lake elevation and generation schedule? The current lake elevation is automatically posted on the Sam Rayburn website Home Page (Click Here Turbine Selection . Historical release data may be found by clicking Reservoir Control Section . Additional information may be available by calling the Sam Rayburn Project Office at 409-384-5716. top
Why is the Lake Level Low (or High)?
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is, first and foremost, a flood control lake. As such, there is no "normal" pool level, as exists on lakes not managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The 164.4' msl elevation at Sam Rayburn is the top of the "Conservation Pool," which basically means the lake is not holding flood waters. At elevations above 164.4',the lake is considered to be in flood storage. When flood waters continue to rise, management and safety protocols change to ensure integrity of the dam and control of floodwaters. Flood control and flood damage reduction are the primary reason the lake exists, and most management protocols revolve around making sure the lake is ready to retain flood waters. Reducing the lake level is a normal process, which provides capacity to hold back water, which is critical as we move into the more "rainy" months of November thru May.
Sam Rayburn also is required to release water for the production of hydroelectric power and water supply to the Lower Neches Valley Authority, which owns the water rights to a certain portion of the lake waters. These releases indeed all contribute to a drop the lake elevation. Rainfall (or lack thereof) in the Angelina River watershed is the primary influence over the lake level. It is not at all unusual for the lake level to drop below elevation 159' during dry periods, or rise above 172' during most flood events. As a flood control lake, the elevation could possibly rise to elevation 179'. However, the highest elevation in the lake history was 175.13' msl.
In 2004, the US Army Corps of Engineers partnered with the Lower Neches Valley Authority to build a salt water barrier on the Neches River. Prior to that time, Sam Rayburn had to release large amounts of water (usually during the summer) to flush salt water intrusions into the Neches. The lake routinely dropped to 156' or lower during this time. The salt water barrier has greatly reduced the need for these discharges, making the lake level much more steady - although there is still no "steady" level on a flood control lake!
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How do I make a campsite reservation? Advance reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of the arrival date, and must be made a minimum Here . Reservations may be made over the Internet at www.recreation.gov or by calling
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Why are some campsites non-reservable? A substantial segment of the visitors to Sam Rayburn Reservoir are not able to make advance reservations (such as shift work, not knowing until late in the week if they can get off to go camping). To meet this very real need, approximately 30% of the campsites are available only on a first-come, first served basis. The first customer who comes to the park in person and pays for the campsite gets it. Individuals can rent only one site; multiple rentals for friends, family members, etc. are prohibited. Only one non-reservable campsite is available per family; and a second person living at the same address cannot rent another site. However, two people in a single vehicle, living at different addresses, may rent one site each. On major holidays, these sites are often taken well before the actual holiday weekend.
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Where does the money go when I pay to rent a campsite or launch a boat? Since the US Army Corps of Engineers is part of the Department of Defense, the user fees collected are handled differently that those fees collected by the US Forest Service, National Parks, Bureau of Land Management, etc. All of the user fees collected at Sam Rayburn (and all Corps parks across America) are required to be forwarded to the General Treasury. None of the fees remain at the park where the fees were collected.
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How can I become a Gate Attendant in one of the parks? Gate attendants are paid contractors who perform fee collection and general park management duties, and are critical members of the recreation management team. Information concerning the positions can be found Here
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What is a Special Event or Lake Activity Permit, and why would I need one? A Special Event permit or Lake Activity permit is required for all group activities that are larger in scope than a typical "family camping" activity. For example, weddings, birthday parties, church or school events, large equestrian events, fishing tournaments, boat shows, concerts, charity events or large family reunions must be permitted through the Sam Rayburn Lake Project Office. Having overlapping events in the same park or recreation area can lead to chaos and conflict; therefore proper scheduling of events is absolutely necessary, and for this reason obtaining the proper permit before holding an event is required by law. The two types of activities differ in that a Special Event usually involves more participants and impacts more recreation areas than does a Lake Activity, and may require a fee or additional requirements. A Lake Activity permit is issued for an event which typically impacts only one recreation area or campground. To find out more about obtaining either of these permits, please contact the Special Events Coordinator at 409-384-5716, or by email at Events Coordinator . Remember, persons who hold events at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, whether on or off the water, without obtaining the proper permit(s) are subject to fines and/or prohibitions on future events
No rentals are currently offered on the lake. Sun Dancer Rentals is a private company that rents boats and personal watercraft (ie, "jet skis'). Sun Dancer is located on Hwy 255 east of Twin Dikes Park, and can be reached at 409-698-2247.
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Except for US Army Corps of Engineers Parks and the authorized commercial concessions (marinas), no structures may be constructed or placed on or in the waters of Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Adjacent landowners may apply for a license to build a boat storage facility on their land that has a flowage easement. For further details click HERE .
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The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department maintains an up-to-date listing of record fish for each lake in Texas. To see records for Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Click Here. top
For more information on Eagle Scout and other projects, please contact the Sam Rayburn Volunteer Coordinator at 409-384-5716 or Click Here .
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Geocaching may be allowed on public lands managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, providing the activity is performed in compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 (CFR 36) and any applicable State or local rules and regulations, and i carried out in a non obtrusive manner, and common sense guidelines are followed. Given the heightened security since September 11, 2001, any geocaching activity on Sam Rayburn Reservoir requires a permit from the Project Office. There is no charge for this permit, and the Lake Events Coordinator can be reached at 409-384-5716 or by e-mail at Click Here . Information needed for the permit include the cache coordinates (location), histher name, and histhler address and phone number. The intent of collecting this information is to keep track of the location and number of caches on the project, and to contact the owner if the caches need to be removed. The applicant should also provide a current picture ID with an address to confirm the applicant's identity. The applicant's request can be denied for failure to comply with the information required for the permit application.Here .
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The management of US Army Corps of Engineers lands are governed by 36 US Code 327, commonly known as "Title 36." Within this code, section 2(c) states "The operation and/or parking of a vehicle off authorized roadways is prohibited except at locations and times designated by the District Commander." Given the relatively small land base and the highly erodible soils at Sam Rayburn, there are no designated off road areas where vehicles can legally operate. Therefore, all vehicles of any type (including golf carts, cars, trucks, etc.) are prohibited from operating or parking on Corps land, except on designated roads. A copy of Title 36 can be found Here. top Where can I hunt on Sam Rayburn? Information on hunting can be found by clicking HERE . Given the large lake acreage and the relatively small land base owned by the Corps of Engineers, there is no "good" map to show viable hunting areas. There is a large (9' long) wall mounted map at the Sam Rayburn Project Office that provides a accurate view of the public lands suitable for hunting. The public is welcome to observe this wall map during office hours, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The Project Office is located on Texas Recreation Road 255 on the Sam Rayburn Dam. top
What facilities are available for family reunions? There are Day Use Group Shelters at Twin Dikes, Mill Creek, and San Augustine Parks. Another Group Shelter and a Group Camping Area are being developed in Hanks Creek Park, but will not be open until sometime in 2008. In addition, there is Ebenezer Hall located in Ebenezer Park, which is an enclosed building with A/C and heat, a kitchen, and seating for approximately 100 people. Additional information on these facilities can be found HERE .
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What is the policy on Metal Detectors? USE OF METAL DETECTORS ON LANDS OR WATERS CONTROLLED BY THE U. S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ON B. A. STEINHAGEN/DAM B LAKE IS PROHIBITED WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS. Metal detectors will be allowed on the following designated swim beaches:
a. Non-identifiable items, such as coins, of nominal value, (less than $25.00), that are found do not need to be deposited with the Project Office. Identifiable items (rings, watches, etc.) or items of greater than nominal value will be deposited with the Project Office or Park Ranger according to Title 36 CFR Part 327.15 (Abandonment and Impoundment of Personal Property) and Part 327.16 (Lost and Found) and subsequent revisions.
b. All historical, archaeological, or paleontological items found will be deposited with the Project Office or Park Ranger.
c. Digging shall be limited to hand tools that can be used by one hand only. Hand tools shall be limited to 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.
d. All trash, litter, or other debris uncovered must be removed and placed in an approved trash receptacle. All soil disturbed or displaced shall be returned to its original state.
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