Annual General Meeting Overview
The meeting discussed administrative matters related to the organization’s annual general meeting, which is held on the third Friday of January. Kevin Lacy, LCA President explained that
the meeting is divided into two parts: the annual general meeting, which involves counting
ballots and ratifying reports, and a town hall meeting. He also mentioned that the organization is
a 501c3 charity and a state-charted entity with a voting threshold of $100 annual contribution for
voting members. Kevin noted that the organization relies on donations as its only source of
revenue.
Lake Conroe Management LCA Concerns
Kevin discussed the Lake Conroe Association’s (LCA) mission to protect lake resources and its
50-year history. He highlighted concerns about the San Jacinto River Authority’s (SJRA)
management of lake levels in 2024, expressed a current lack of trust due to their recent actions
and called for increased transparency. Kevin presented data on historical lake levels and flooding
events, emphasizing that significant downstream flooding has only occurred twice in 50 years:
during Hurricane Harvey and the 1994 floods. He also described the role of the LCA’s board
members and volunteers, noting that they rely on volunteer technical expertise to carry out their
work.
Lake Conroe Water Release Critique
Kevin discussed the Lake Houston water level situation and the impact of releases from Lake
Conroe. He explained that Lake Conroe contributed only 12-16% of the water flows during
Hurricane Harvey that caused flooding in the Lake Houston area. The entire West Fork river
which included Lake Conroe flows contributed about 35%. Kevin criticized the City of Houston
and SJRA for misrepresenting the effectiveness of lowering Lake Conroe’s water level in
reducing downstream flooding. He highlighted that there is no authorization for lowering the
lake for that purpose and that the regulators are not enforcing their own rules. Kevin also
mentioned that the SJRA has been paying a reservation fee to the City of Houston to reserve
their allocated water for potential SJRA use, but this water has yet to be used and at significant
cumulative cost to SJRA customers.
Lake Houston Water Flows and Water Permits Analysis
Kevin presented a detailed analysis of water usage in the Lake Houston area, arguing that the
City of Houston is wasting water by requesting releases from Lake Conroe when there is
sufficient supply from other sources. Kevin also explained that the current water release rates
(previously at 700 cfs and now at 2000 cfs) are physically too large and impossible to use formunicipal purposes, as evidenced by the proportional flow diagrams. He noted that the City of Houston cannot provide physical use evidence or customer receipts for the Lake Conroe water
they claim to use, and that the annual filing of water use reports claiming it is used could be a
false state report which could be a criminal offense if proven. When any Lake Conroe water
arrives at Lake Houston there is no way to segregate it or divert it for use and typically anywhere
from twice to twelve times the volumes of the LC water is being discharged to the Gulf.
Lake Management Protocol Dispute
Kevin discussed the history of lake lowering protocols and issues with the City of Houston’s
management of water releases in 2024. He explained how the city failed to abide by the 2024
agreement, leading to a June unnecessary lake lowering that violated written protocols. The
situation escalated to a LCA breach of agreement complaint, which the CoH responded to by
claiming the right to release water whenever they wanted. Despite negotiations in December
2024, no new agreement was reached for 2025 or 2026. A new technical study is currently
underway by the CoH and SJRA to assess the effectiveness of lake lowering. It is very unclear
how it will refute the previous studies that conclude lowering Lake Conroe is ineffective.
Lake Houston Flood Management Challenges
Kevin discussed the challenges of managing Lake Houston’s water levels, highlighting the
political shortcomings and lack of progress on flood mitigation projects. He emphasized that the
1960 bridge acts as an unintended dam, exacerbating flooding issues. Kevin also criticized the
City of Houston’s management of water resources, pointing out that promised projects, such as
Lake Houston Spillway Dam expansion, has been significantly delayed and no other projects
except dredging have been initiated. He suggested that the SJRA decisions for flood control
should be protecting residents’ lives and property on Lake Conroe first, rather than being
influenced by politics or profits, especially when technical studies show no effectiveness from
lowering Lake Conroe for downstream flood mitigation.
Lake Conroe Flood Control Challenges
The meeting focused on the ongoing issues with Lake Conroe’s flood control management,
where Kevin discussed the challenges posed by three bureaucratic agencies: the City of Houston,
SJRA, and TCEQ. They highlighted how, in the LCA view, TCEQ has been complicit in
allowing problematic water management practices to continue, despite evidence suggesting these
actions are ineffective and potentially wasteful. It was suggested by the audience that there is a
need for a clear and simplified message to educate the public and political leaders about the
situation, with plans to present new concerning documents to the SJRA Board and constituents.
They also emphasized the importance of political support, noting that certain officials have been
supportive of their efforts.
Improving Flood Management Communication
The meeting focused on concerns about flood management and communication issues with the
San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA). Kevin and others expressed frustration that the SJRA had
not provided advance notice of potential flooding. The group discussed the need for better
monitoring and technology implementation, particularly regarding water levels and storm
predictions. They also addressed the lack of transparency and communication from the SJRA,
emphasizing the importance of public awareness and involvement in addressing these issues. The
participants planned to present their findings to the SJRA Board and potentially involve the
Governor to ensure action is taken to improve flood management and communication.
AGM Meeting Summary LCA Management and Finances
The AGM meeting focused on further discussing lake level management and financial updates
for the Lake Conroe Association (LCA). Kevin explained that the San Jacinto River Authority
(SJRA) has the legal ability to raise the lake to 207 feet, though this would be problematic for
many residents. The LCA is working to communicate this broadly as many problems start at
water levels above 203′ and certainly above 204’ msl which was twice exceeded in 2024.
Financially, the Association reported a loss (more money spent than donations received) of
$13,300 in 2025, with 80% of donations coming from foundations and board members. The
funds were spent on legal, technical, and meteorological studies or reports. The LCA is
considering setting up at future HOA events to increase awareness and donations. The
conversation ended with a discussion about confirming officer elections and the need to update
HOA contact information.