Summary: Texans across the state are facing water restrictions as the state experiences its worst drought since 2011. And while many areas of the state are experiencing a wetter August with pockets of storms and rainfall, climate experts expect the drought to continue into the fall.
Latest Update: Saturday, 20 August, 2022
The Weekly Brief, The Texas Tribune, 20 August 2022
Drought: Texans across the state are facing water restrictions as the state experiences its worst drought since 2011. And while many areas of the state are experiencing a wetter August with pockets of storms and rainfall, climate experts expect the drought to continue into the fall. How bad is the drought? Bad. It’s the worst drought since 2011, which was the state’s driest year on record. And it is impacting everything from water supply to agriculture:
The state’s reservoirs are 20% below average levels. South Texas and areas served by reservoirs along the Rio Grande have already seen water shortage concerns.
Farmers are struggling to grow crops without rainfall. Ranchers are selling off their cattle for meat or to other areas because they can’t afford to keep them under the drought conditions.
More than 400 cities and other public water systems — from Aransas Pass to Zapata County — have put some sort of water restrictions in place to avoid shortages. Concan, an unincorporated area in Uvalde County, is busing in thousands of gallons of water to keep the region from going dry. Residents there are limited to one shower per day.
Excessive temperatures have led to increased reports about heat-related illness and fatalities, including at least 10 people in Texas who died from the heat as of June.
What’s causing the drought? Multiple factors. A climate pattern known as La Niña has been shifting rainfall and cooler temperatures toward the north of the U.S., leaving the south with drier and hotter conditions. The weather this summer, including triple-digit temperatures, also intensified drought conditions. The high temperatures, which have also increased overall because of climate change, make it easier for water to evaporate and harder for soil to retain moisture.
What can I do? Texans looking to conserve water can take several steps:
Cut back on water use for landscaping
Check for leaks in your home and turn off the faucet when you’re not actively using water, like when you brush your teeth, shave or shower
Consider changing your lawn to include plants and grasses that require less water, or take other longer-term steps.
➕ South Texas is in dire need of water. One reservoir, Lake Falcon, is just 9% full. Communities are extending water intakes and installing pumps to capture what little remains. Amistad, another reservoir, is less than one-third full.