Major Texas Lake Hits Lowest Water Level Seen in Years: Only 13.5% Full

Currently, the lake is now only 13.5% full. Unfortunately, state officials don’t see this changing any time soon.

Though the U.S. doesn’t consider West Texas to be in a drought, the region has experienced incredibly dry seasons recently. This has contributed to low lake levels.

Just these past few weeks, East Texas has seen incredibly heavy and strong storms that quickly led to dangerous flooding situations in Houston.

The lake is also at 1,906 feet above sea level. These lower levels have prompted state officials to claim that the lake’s water is the lowest it’s been in at least five years.

Since January 1, water levels have dropped about two feet. Twin Buttes’ water is now at least 30 feet below what was seen in 2019.

Even when the lake was first created in 1963, it wasn’t immediately full. Not until 1971 did the lake even get past a 10% capacity!

The department’s website said, “Throughout its history, the reservoir has experienced sharp water level rises of greater than 20 vertical feet on five different occasions (1971, 1974, 1986, 2004, and 2018). Conversely, the reservoir has also experienced extended periods of very low water levels; Twin Buttes was below 15% capacity from 1963 to 1974, 1999 to 2004 and again from 2011 to 2018.”

“From 1974 to 1977 Twin Buttes was at or near full pool, after which it never reached full pool again,” the website said.

“The lower levels are due to the drought and lack of any appreciable runoff,” Shane Kelton, the San Angelo Public Works Director, explained.

Some lakes that had been severely impacted by last year’s drought have already seen great water level rises. For example, Lake Buchanan has had its waters rise by at least 11 feet this month.

Some of these reservoirs are even lower than Twin Buttes. The Palo Duro Reservoir, located in North Texas, is only 2.9% full. Meanwhile, Fisher Lake in Central Texas is only at 1.5% capacity.

Kelton explained, “Based on future weather predictions, it does not appear that water levels will improve this year unless we see some tropical weather move into our area this fall. City staff is concerned from an overall drinking water supply standpoint, as Twin Buttes is a part of our overall municipal water supply.”

Reduced water availability threatens crop yields, potentially leading to higher prices and economic strain. Ranchers will likely also struggle to provide sufficient water for livestock, exacerbating the situation.

Livestock requires substantial water daily, and the diminished supply may impact their health and productivity.

It may also lead to increased competition for resources among animals, resulting in further ecological disruption.

Birds, which depend on the reservoir for food and nesting, may need to end up migrating elsewhere, disrupting local biodiversity.

For example, using advanced irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation or precision agriculture can reduce water usage while maintaining crop yields.

This could involve increasing the reservoir’s capacity or implementing more efficient water management systems such as water recycling and rainwater harvesting.

Outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and other water sports may no longer be viable options for visitors, leading to a decline in revenue for local businesses.

The administration also revitalized the National Drought Resilience Partnership to leverage federal resources and innovative solutions for long-term water supply challenges.

It also affects the surrounding communities’ access to clean drinking water, prompting residents to adapt by implementing water conservation measures in their homes and businesses.

Installing rainwater harvesting systems and greywater recycling setups could be potential temporary solutions to supplement the water supply.

Long-term climate models predict continued water scarcity unless substantial mitigation and adaptation measures are taken.

Long-term projections highlight the need for immediate action to safeguard the region’s water resources and ensure a stable supply for future generations.