Fort Worth District Drought Report: In 2014 the lakes located in the western portion of Texas experienced the lowest annual inflows since the construction of the lakes. Low inflows were due to the below average rainfall in their watersheds and the intermittent timing of storms allowed the soil to dry out between rain events. Consequently, several lake levels west of I-35 are now dropping at a rate normally seen in late summer. Belton Lake may set a new record low pool level this winter, if dry weather continues. The eastern portion of the State has had above normal rainfall the last two months and many streams and creeks are now flowing well above normal levels for this time of year. Four District lakes, Wright Patman, Lake O’ the Pines, Granger, and Somerville, are releasing flood water. Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the largest District lake located in east Texas, is just three inches below the top of its conservation pool and is considered 99 percent full. Normally at this time of year Sam Rayburn Reservoir is six to seven feet below its conservation pool level. The unseasonal high pool level has allowed for double the daily power generation time. The turbine is run twice a day to provide power during the morning and evening peak demand periods. Recreational Impacts to Facilities • For the three West Texas lakes – All three lakes have some facilities, boat ramps and/or swimming beaches closed. • For the seventeen Central Texas lakes - 11 lakes are reporting closures of various facilities (boat ramps, courtesy docks, and swimming beaches) due to low water conditions, up one from the previous report. • For the five East Texas lakes - No lakes are reporting closures (boat ramps) due to low lake levels. For additional information on individual lakes in the Fort Worth District, control and click on the following web site: www3.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/droughtreport.html. The Facilities Closure Report maintained by CESWF Operations Division may be...
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 01:00:54 +0000
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