The water level at a Texas lake has plummeted to an unprecedented low as drought conditions continue.
Canyon Lake, in Comal County, has a water level of 892.65 feet, according to Water Data for Texas. The last time the lake came anywhere close to this level was in September 2009, when the water level dropped to 892.68 feet, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told local news outlet KSAT.
Water levels at the lake have been declining over the last few months, falling to 894.70 feet in July. They have slowly been inching towards the record-low level ever since.
When the reservoir is full, its water level stands at 909 feet.
The record low is causing concern and shows how Texas is suffering under drought conditions. The latest figures from the U.S. Drought Monitor show that 62.10 percent of the state is experiencing severe drought. While the state is no stranger to dry conditions, recent years have witnessed particularly low levels of rainfall and the lack of precipitation means that water resources are being used faster than they can be replenished.
Declining water levels have also been caused by evaporation due to extreme heat and over-consumption of water.
"Over this summer, we've observed (and continue to observe) a significant drawdown of available water storage due to excessive grass watering and landscape irrigation," Larry Jackson, the director of customer service and communications for Texas Water Company told local outlet MySA.
The Texas Water Company provides water to Comal and Blanco counties. Around 65 percent of the water comes from Canyon Lake, meaning the decline in water levels are concerning.
There are a total of three water treatment plats in the area but one is not in operation because of the lack of water, MySA reported.
As drought worsens, officials are looking to cut back on water usage, to ensure better conservation for the area.
"Water is a finite and invaluable resource that is integral not just for life but for the continued social and economic development of the communities we serve. We always encourage all customers to adopt water conservation practices in their daily lives," Lindsey Campbell of the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority told MySA.
"Every drop counts, so even simple measures like fixing leaks and implementing drought-tolerant landscaping can make a big difference," she said.
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August 31, 2023 at 05:19PM
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Texas Lake Water Level Plummets to Unprecedented Low As Drought Rages On - Newsweek
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