Record Rainfall Threatens Lubbock's Playa Lakes - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Record rainfall is pushing Lubbock's drainage system to possible overflow. But how much more rain can Lubbock's playa lakes take before they flood?

As of Tuesday night two playa lakes are already overflowing. The one at 19th and Utica as well as the playa lake by Wal-Mart have already flooded. Both lakes are part of a network of 100 lakes in Lubbock. Each playa lake acts as an individual drainage source for the city but about 20% of those lakes are connected by pipes.

Look Up the Latest Rain Totals for the South Plains Look up daily National Weather Service recorded rain totals for each county on the South Plains.

Marsha Reed from the City of Lubbock says that if we had received this record rainfall just a few years ago, the situation would be much different. "As recently as '99 when we had two floods in the summer of 1999 and we had a lot of lakes that were over flowing however since then, our South Central System has gone in and those lakes are still all holding their own and far from reaching overflow but that's not to say they won't if we keep getting enough rain," explains Reed.

City officials will continue to monitor the playa lakes, we'll keep you updated on flooding that occurs as this rain continues. Officials estimate the other lakes in the city can hold only about three more inches before they overflow.