LOW IN THE INFLOW Inows into Lake Travis have lowered substantially in recent years, even though average rainfall has remained similar to past trends. One acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons of water. Here is a look at recent inow into the lake in acre-feet. 80,385 51,890 12,370 Since 1942 February average 2008-15 February average February 2022
TURNING UP THE HEAT
Drought occurs when there is less-than-average rainfall for an area over a certain period of time. Megadrought occurs when a drought lasts longer than two decades. Projections show Texas could experience a megadrought in its future, with higher average temperatures and more 100-degree days compared with current levels.
48.8 days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-21st century*
+34 days ≥ 100 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-21st century*
103.6 degrees Fahrenheit average mid-century summer temperature*
+3.9 degrees Fahrenheit higher annual average 7-day temperature
*PROJECTED
SOURCE: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCESCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
acre-feet
acre-feet
acre-feet
Total annual rainfall
Dive World Austin conducts its training in Windy Point Park on the northeastern side of Lake Travis, which has deep-water entry and eight platforms that can be used for dive training. With the water level in Lake Travis down around 26 feet, the shallow 32- to 34-foot platforms gener- ally used for beginner training are no longer deep enough to train. There are also at least three other dive businesses that use the same platforms for training, resulting in competition for platforms. As the water level drops, dive training is pushed onto platforms farther out into the water, which is not ideal for beginners. In worst-case scenarios, training would have to be conducted in another location such as Manseld Dam or Canyon Lake, which each come with drawbacks. “That impact could get to a point that it could basically shut things down,” Wallace said. “It means we would have to get creative in nding other bod- ies of water. We would have to drive further, and obviously that aects how many people would want to go through all that.” Lake Travis is a signicant economic engine, gen- erating $207.2 million in revenue for state and local governments, $3.6 million in hotel and mixed bever- age taxes, and $45.2 million in sales tax from com- mercial businesses annually, according to the Lake Travis Coalition. Mitigating drought In 2011, nearly 50% of available water in Lake Travis was released downstream to irrigators for farming, according to the CTWC. After 2011, the LCRA put a system in place to prevent water being sent downstream to irrigators when needed by cit- ies. The problem with this system is Austin is good at conserving water, which makes it appear there is more water available than there is, Tedder said. One acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons of water.
The combined storage of these two lakes is about 2 million acre-feet when full. As of March, the com- bined storage of both reservoirs was at 77% capacity, according to the LCRA. To prevent the overestimation of upstream water resources, the CTWC recommends the LCRA imple- ment a “safe yield” system that would keep enough water needed to sustain cities in the upper basin for at least a year. The LCRA declined to comment for this story but released a statement that the plan in place is designed to maintain enough supplies for municipal water use even during the worst drought the region has seen. In addition to improved conservation eorts, it is also important to increase wildre preparedness, said Will Boettner, Travis County wildre mitigation ocer. For western Travis County, the abundant greenery presents ample opportunity for a wildre during a drought. Western Travis County has few re hydrants, so most re trucks use water from attached tanks, Boettner said. During a drought when water levels in Lake Travis are lower, water pressures may be too low or water may become unavailable. “That’s why we’ve become much more proac- tive with trying to prevent res from ever getting started,” he said. While the future of Lake Travis in the face of drought remains uncertain, it is key to keep looking ahead, Tedder said. “It’s hard to get the word out and educate people about what’s really happening,” Tedder said. “You need to be doing your hard planning when there is plenty of water, because when you’re in a drought, it’s too late.”
48.98 48.94
2008
2010 2009 2011
38.2
drought begins
32.75
41.06
2012
44.75
2013
Memorial Day weekend ooding
35.9
2014
77.37
2015
56.68
2016
48.69
2017 2018 2020 2019 2021
58.65
45.93
52.6
46.81
0
10 20
30
40
50 60
70
Inches
Falling short Texas received a D-minus in its drought preparedness, having an average level of preparedness for a far above average threat. For both drought and wildres, the state does not:
conduct vulnerability assessments
plan for adaptation
implement resilience eorts
For more information, visit communityimpact.com .
SOURCES: LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, STATES AT RISKCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • MAY 2022
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