You are correct. The draw down is to inspect damage due to displaced rip rap, and to add rip rap as required. The Lake is not "too high" by any stretch, and there wasn't enough rainfall to cause trouble.
The media likes to keep it simple though, so they can understand it themselves. In their minds, Rita caused rain, so the dam has to be opened to let the rain out. Idiots, they are.
That link is fun - one can go to upstream and downstream monitoring points. There will be some flooding - the closer to the release, the higher the water.
I guess 117+ mpg gusts can even move rip rap around (small boulders)...thats some wind.
Radio Feed:
Conroe traffic getting bad. Alternate: bail off I45 at new waverly take 1375, 149 south to 1774 to 249 south..arrive at Houston via Tomball.
FYI: Record highs today, those who come back to find no AC due to power being out will be sweating..
No electric or water in Port Arthur. May take up to a month.
Centerpoint customers 750k without power after storm..now down to 300k.