Don't Let the Rain Fool You - We're Still in a Drought

Posted by rbutler on Monday, May 14 @ 7:53pm

The following message was put out by the North Texas Municipal Water District:

Here in North Texas, we’re all thankful for recent rain. Lawns are green, plants are blooming and some lakes are filling up.

That’s why some people have asked why the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) service area remains in Stage 3 Severe Drought.

A drought is measured by more than rainfall (or lack of it).

NTMWD relies on three reservoirs—Lake Lavon, Lake Jim Chapman and Lake Texoma—to serve more than 1.6 million people in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. While Lake Lavon—our primary water source—has risen to 94 percent capacity, Lake Jim Chapman is still less than half full.

Other drought factors include:

• Drought conditions in the region and the watersheds of our lakes
• Lake levels/capacities
• Amount of water we’re permitted to draw from our reservoirs (the amount is limited by the State of Texas)
• Current and projected demand for water from our customers, which is increasing

Several projects, initiated prior to the drought, are under way that will add more water to our supply next year and help us keep pace with demand. While NTMWD may relax some watering restrictions later this year or early next year, our region may never return to a time when we could use all the water we wanted without worrying about the consequences.

Water conservation will always be an important part of NTMWD's water management strategy.

So we’re asking you to continue to save. Follow your community’s watering schedule and avoid wasting water. You will find easy water-saving tips at www.NorthTexas.WaterIQ.org

Working together, we can ensure there will plenty of water for our future. Always.

Updated: Monday, May 14 @ 8:53pm