Drought improves; lake levels remain low

Posted: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 03:23 PM - 6,446 Readers

The latest data shows the drought in Central Texas is improving.

Williamson and Burnet counties have been classified as being in a moderate drought. The northern half of Travis County is also listed as moderate, while the southern half of Travis County and all of Hays County remains in a severe drought.

Despite the recent rains, the Lower Colorado River Authority has warned its largest customers that lake levels have not risen significantly.

The agency says that if Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan fall below a critical level, it will immediately cut off water to agricultural customers and require more cutbacks from cities and industries.

Current projections indicate that could happen as early as late spring.

According to the federal drought monitor map released Thursday, about 6.8 percent of Texas, all in the southern and central parts of the state, is classified under the most extreme two categories of drought. That's down from 12.3 percent last week but higher than the 3.6 percent a year ago.

Still, the drought continues in about 34 percent of the state. Three months ago it impacted 68 percent of Texas.

Weather officials say the drought has caused more than $3.6 billion in crop and livestock losses in Texas since late 2008.

* Story Contributed by: KVUE News

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