What’s changing?
The drought watch was originally issued April 3 due to prolonged dry conditions.
Lake Georgetown received 5.42 inches of rainfall from July 1-14, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The area’s typical monthly rainfall level in July is around 2.19 inches, per NOAA.
The Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, or PHDI, indicates the level of wet or dry conditions within a particular area.
Abnormally dry conditions in the lower Brazos River Basin caused the monthly PHDI to drop low enough to trigger a drought watch condition for Lake Georgetown and Lake Stillhouse Hollow, per the release.
The details
The PHDI is a criteria set in the BRA Drought Contingency Plan, which is used to extend water supply and availability during drought conditions, per the release.
“With both reservoirs now full, we do not anticipate the return of drought conditions for an extended period of time,” the release states. “There are currently no drought declarations in effect within the BRA water supply system.”
On July 8, Lake Georgetown was 14 feet higher than full, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Public Affairs Officer Tom Byrd said in a phone call with Community Impact.
The corps of engineers began a limited water release from Lake Georgetown on July 7, according to a city news release. Byrd said crews will release about one foot of lake elevation per day for about two weeks, which could change depending on weather events.
Keep in mind
While the Stage 1 drought watch is no longer in effect, the BRA encourages people to use water wisely and always employ water conservation measures, per the release.
The BRA is the oldest river authority in Texas and was created by the state legislature in 1929, per the release.
