Drought predicted to worsen

Posted: Fri, 1 Jul 2011 12:00 AM - 1,618 Readers

Fireworks displays have been banned, lakes drying up and crops scorched. It's safe to say the drought in Central Texas is bad. And it's not over yet.

Nearly all of Texas is in a dangerous drought and two-thirds of the state, including Central Texas, is in an exceptional drought, which is the most severe level. The LCRA says since January 2011, about 50 percent less water has flowed into the Highland Lakes than it did during the same time in 2009.

The LCRA has asked its firm water customers to implement voluntary water-use restrictions in their drought contingency plans. The company has also asked boaters and swimmers to be extra cautious this Fourth of July holiday due to low lake levels and the possibility of hitting rocks. Lake Travis is more than 20 feet below its average level. Lake Buchanan is more than 10 feet below average. The weather forecast for the next ten days isn't going to be much help with highs well into the triple digits. The only hope for rainfall is the possibility of a tropical storm.

The last nine months have produced record-breaking dryness for the State of Texas. Lake Travis, a vital water supply for the City of Austin and the surrounding area, is currently losing a foot of water a week. Check out this video from The Weather Channel for more information

* Story Contributed by: Kelsey Johnson

[edit]

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