Guadalupe River reaches critical level
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What's the outlook for the Guadalupe River?
"Unfortunately, it's not real good," said Mark Lenz, a National Weather Service hydrologist.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that much of the Guadalupe River was running at less than 10 percent of its ...
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What's the outlook for the Guadalupe River?
"Unfortunately, it's not real good," said Mark Lenz, a National Weather Service hydrologist.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that much of the Guadalupe River was running at less than 10 percent of its normal flow.
With no rain, the San Marcos and Comal springs are providing most of the river's flow. But Lenz said the flow of those springs is beginning to drop.
The Guadalupe River dropped so low over the weekend that Victoria had to stop pumping water for a few hours, a city official said.
While that didn't force the city into the first stage of the drought conservation plan, that could happen this week. People would then be asked to voluntarily conserve water.
"There's a strong possibility, I think," said Lynn Short, Victoria public works director. "It doesn't look like we're going to get any rain."
Mark Lenz, a National Weather Service hydrologist, agreed.
"Unless we get some rainfall, we're really not looking for any improvements in the rivers and lakes," he said. "We're not looking for any major rain here in the next seven to 10 days."
The city's primary permit to take water from the Guadalupe requires it to stop pumping when the river flow drops below 250 cubic feet per second this time of year. That happened Sunday morning, Short said.
The situation would become more critical for the city if the flow stays below 250 cubic feet per second for a day. It would have to quit taking water under its primary permit until the river rises above the critical level for 14 consecutive days.
That has only happened once.
Victoria has other, smaller river water permits that could allow it to continue pumping water for a while, and Short said he would consult with the watermaster about that. The city also has a year's supply of water stored in reservoirs near Riverside Park and back-up water wells.
The city has been pumping about 16 million gallons of water a day as people crank up their sprinklers in an effort to keep their lawns green. The city water plant has a rated capacity of 25.2 million gallons per day.
Comments
Yes i think we should slow down on the water until we get some more rain.That be the right thing to do for victoria. Come on people really think about it.Either we do it or they will make us do it.
June 24, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.Mr. Kenneth,
I will agree that most Americans are lazy. I will disagree with the positive outlook on illegals. I have worked in construction and supervised them also. They can work sometimes, but not always. They can show up, but many times late and cannot meet deadlines. They complain about the heat and hard work as well. And, they renege on deals and contracts. And, I could go on.
It doesn't matter what color or ethnicity the person is. It is their inner person that matters. Mexicans are not better craftsman or tradesman nor do they work harder...they just do it cheaper(which is the same reason big business leaves the U.S.). The argument that they work harder or do work has been fetched by owners/mgmt. of business that like the cheap labor to increase profit margins.
The cheapness is what has driven Americans out of trades. Paying an illegal immigrant 10 times what they would make at home is good motivation. An American can weigh the choices and make the same amount working less back breaking work. Not a good risk/reward relationship with some construction work for the American especially the ones that can live off our welfare state for nothing.
If we get rid of the cheap labor, pay rates woud probably have to rise and many more Americans may choose those professions again.
June 23, 2009 at 5:43 p.m.HEY Reyrey: You gotta be kidding.
I’m more concerned with the white guys at the library who need to use up more of that water and soap. Gee, What the heck is that place now? A day care for the Salvation Army. The white dudes in that place makes feel like I’m going to get infected with something.
June 23, 2009 at 4:05 p.m.Much ado about nothing.......unless you are a city dweller. It is just a normal summer and before you know it Hwy 35 will be under 3ft of water between Green Lake and Tivoli and everyone will be crying "enough already"! Plant native trees, grass, and conserve along with building a rainwater collection system, and maybe a system to flush with bath and shower and dishwater. This is no dust bowl, and the Gulf will open up with gusto in good time. This is summer on the Texas coast.
June 23, 2009 at 3:34 p.m.Ken I wasn't saying there wasn't a problem I was just trying to put it in prespective. I believe we are seeing climate change - I know that saying that will clear your sinuses, but that's what I believe.
Everyone knows a volcano can change the climate. Is what we are doing really any different than a volcano? On the other hand I think rain is coming and a lot of it. The Pacific fronts aren't as strong and the jet stream is moving north this means more tropical moisture.
Next thing we will be concerned about is flooding. I remember my Texas history the early settlers in this area wondered where the debris in the tops of the cypress trees along the Guadalupe River came from - they soon learned.
But it seems there is a trend now toward rain only during the summer and none in the other months - that is going to change the way we do things around here. It could be worse, Lake Meade along with Las Vegas are drying up.
June 23, 2009 at 1:58 p.m.FYI - sometime within the last 50 years - the 50s drought I believe - the north fork springs near Mountain Home that are the headwaters of the Guadalupe dried up.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Victoria has been a fair sized city - over 40,000 population - for the last forty years or so.
Given that, a water shortage speaks to a lack of planning and foresight. on the part of city, county and regional authorities.
If you had built or at least claimed the rights to build some high capacity surface storage 40-50 years ago you'd literally have water to spare.
For example: the CRMWD's rights to build Lake O.H Ivie in West Texas were claimed in the 1940s, over 40 years before it was built.
But, just like the idiots in charge in San Antonio, we're going along with the old "the river will always be there." manana philosophy and choking off the most fundamental requirement for any kind of further economic growth.
June 23, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.And, it is good to have a nuclear facility in Victoria area using the same water supply as the people in the area??? Hmmmm....
June 23, 2009 at 11:12 a.m.The City needs to mandate water conservation before it is absolutely necessary. I see so many morons watering their lawns in the afternoon when 2/3 of the water is lost to evaporation. Pretty lawns are nice but having water to drink, cook with and bathe in is more important. The climate is changing and the ways we have done things over the past century may not work anymore. I believe the county should also look at mandatory conservation as well. Water tables have fallen considerably in many areas over the last (20) years. And as Archie says...pray for rain and lots of it, just not attached to a hurricane.
June 23, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.What we need to do is deport all of them illegal aliens that are illegally using our water to take showers.
June 23, 2009 at 10:36 a.m.we need to pray for rain!
June 23, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.Sixteen million gallons per day is equal to about 25 cubic feet per second - about one tenth the current river flow.
June 23, 2009 at 8:34 a.m.