Latest news with #DroughtContingencyPlan
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona politicians must OK painful water cuts. What could possibly go wrong?
Arizona is almost certain to lose a sizable amount of Colorado River water after 2026. But it could still be months until we know exactly how much pain that could cause for our state. The goal is to finish a draft analysis of alternatives by the end of the year, with a final plan of action completed by next summer. If so, that may not leave much time for Arizona to work through an extra step that only our state faces: Legislative approval. Presuming it's December before this required federal analysis is completed, that basically leaves next year's legislative session to figure out how Arizona responds to it. The good news — if you want to call it that — is that we've been through this before in 2019 with the Drought Contingency Plan, which also thrust painful Colorado River cuts on Arizona. Lawmakers had only weeks to approve the plan and a separate in-state deal to temporarily mitigate its impacts. But this time around, the stakes are much higher. The cuts will be deeper and more painful than they were in 2019. The politics are different, too. Back then, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey had wide latitude to press for a deal without having to worry whether the Republican-run Legislature would support him on it. It was not an election year. And water policy had not yet become a partisan bludgeon, as it is now between Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Republican-run Legislature. Our state must overcome these divisions if we have any hope of minimizing the pain for water users. That means our elected leaders must press everyone not to hold out for the deal they want, but to take the deal that they can live with. That may be easier said than done, particularly if cuts leave little water in the Central Arizona Project, the 330-mile canal that delivers Colorado River water to cities and tribes in metro Phoenix and Tucson. There will be tremendous pressure on Yuma, which has more senior water rights, to help ensure that water continues flowing to the state's largest cities. Yet decades of urban vs. rural political baggage could easily blow up that discussion, making it even more difficult to arrive at a deal. Navigating this minefield will require deft leadership to carefully balance interests while maintaining a unified front to the rest of the Colorado River basin. Because trust me: As volatile as this process already is among the states, Arizona will either remain united and live to fight another day, or it will split into warring factions and risk losing it all. Thankfully, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, a Democrat, and Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman, a Republican, have formed a coalition to explain how Arizona conserves water and why drastic cuts to either metro Phoenix or Yuma could hurt our national interests. (Hint: Because Phoenix now produces some of the world's most advanced semiconductors, and Yuma is the only place in the nation that grows our salad greens in the winter.) The mayors wisely recognize that working relationships are what brought us a deal in 2019 and hope to strengthen them all over the state. Opinion: How will Arizona replace the water it's losing? Hobbs and key lawmakers, to their credit, also understand that they must work together to protect the Colorado River, even if they have yet to broker passable compromises on groundwater. But it's one thing to say as much. It's another to deliver on that promise, particularly when such strong political headwinds are blowing against us. Arizona has a long history of doing big things when our future depends on it. Are our leaders still up to the task? Reach Allhands at or on X @joannaallhands. Like this column? Get more opinions in your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Colorado River plan faces another hurdle: Arizona lawmakers | Opinion
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Hidden Buildings Revealed as Water Levels Plunge at Popular Texas Lake
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hidden structures have resurfaced at Lake Corpus Christi in Texas as record-low water levels expose bridges, boathouses, and roads long lost beneath the reservoir. The sites revealed by an ongoing drought have captured the attention of local historians and residents, as reported by KIII News. Water storage at the lake dropped to less than 20 percent of capacity last December, prompting Corpus Christi city officials to declare Stage 3 of the City's Drought Contingency Plan. Newsweek reached out to the city, which manages the lake, via email for comment. Why It Matters The exposure of submerged landmarks highlights not only the impact of persistent drought on South Texas water supplies but also brings historical sites into public view—for better or worse. As critical reservoirs like Lake Corpus Christi reach historic lows, regional water restrictions intensify, threatening the daily lives of residents and the stability of local ecosystems. The drought has left visible traces of the area's past, underscoring the challenges it faces for its present and future. What To Know Lake Corpus Christi stood at just 18.4 percent full as of June 6, 2025, according to the official water monitoring site, Water Data for Texas. Current storage was reported at 47,379 acre-feet, sharply down from its 256,062 acre-feet conservation capacity. The water surface was 14.98 feet below the conservation pool elevation. Over the past year, the lake has seen a steady decline: it was 35.8 percent full one year ago, dropping to 27.7 percent six months ago, and 22.6 percent three months prior to the latest measurement. A stock image of a lake drying up. A stock image of a lake drying up. MriyaWildlife/Getty Bridges, roadway remains, and the shells of old boathouses have become visible across the exposed lake bed. Live Oak County historian Conrad Conrad has been working to identify these structures, including an automobile bridge built to provide access before the original river valley was flooded in the late 1950s. Remnants of a 1930s boathouse and structures constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression have also resurfaced. Drought in other parts of Texas has contributed to the exposure of structures and other things, such as hidden pecan groves at Lake Travis in Austin, in the summer of 2023. Later that year, plummeting lake levels revealed a porta-potty in the lake bed. According to the most recent report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly 12 percent of the Lone Star State is experiencing exceptional drought, primarily concentrated in the southern and western parts of the state. What People Are Saying U.S. Drought Monitor, in a recent update: "For the second consecutive week, heavy rainfall (more than 1 inch) prompted a 1-category improvement to central and southern Texas. Despite this recent heavy rainfall, levels in the long-term monitoring wells of Bexar and Medina Counties remain near or at all-time lows." Live Oak County historian Conrad Conrad told KIII News: "It's shocking, to say the least. And the worst part is there's nothing in the future." What Happens Next Current drought restrictions are in effect for Corpus Christi residents, as Stage 3 of the city's Drought Contingency Plan has been implemented. Lawn watering is not permitted, and other restrictions are in place, including limits on car washing and outdoor watering.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bell County water restrictions could be ending soon
BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – The Bell County Water Control & Improvement District #1 (WCID 1) has released an update regarding reduced water supply during completions of critical projects. General Manager Ricky Garrett has reported that the two projects planned and funded to bring about improved reliability and enhanced resiliency are nearing completion, and critical tie-ins have been completed. Disinfection and line filling started taking place at 2 p.m. Friday. The drought restrictions are recommended to remain in place until midnight, with full service resuming after midnight on Saturday. Garrett says the drought restrictions which have allowed the past four days of work to proceed without resulting in any boil advisories should be credited to the residents and businesses that curtailed water usage – in some cases at considerable expense for the greater good of the community. This comes after WCID 1 said earlier this month that it would be requesting a 30 percent reduction in water use beginning at 6 p.m. on May 26th. Two projects planned and funded to bring about improved reliability and enhanced resiliency required a shut down of a 48-inch line to make final connections. This water main delivers approximately two-thirds of the total water supply to the cities of Nolanville, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Copperas Cove – along with the 439 Water Supply Corporation and Fort Cavazos. PREVIOUS STORY: Ongoing Bell County projects to cause reduced water supply A bid was awarded to McLean Construction in Killeen on April 24, 2024, in order to constructapproximately 5,000 feet of 54-inch steel pipeline parallel and adjacent to the problem-riddledsection of 48-inch concrete steel cylinder pipe. Since the 48-inch pipe was originally installed in1975, there have been several main breaks resulting in reduced water supply to the approximate 265,000 population served by this system. WCID 1 said all but one line rupture occurred within a 5,000-foot section of the pipeline near North Nolan Road on the east side of the Fort Cavazos Military Reservation. The new steel pipe section was completed except for the connections to the existing 48 inch on either end. The other project was the construction of a three million-gallon concrete storage tank a few miles west of the parallel line construction. This bid was also awarded to DN Tanks at the April 2024 WCID 1 Board Meeting. This project also required a shutdown of the 48 to make the necessary connections to the transmission main. WCID 1 said it would be initiating Stage 3 of its Drought Contingency Plan toward the end of May, seeking at least a 30 percent reduction in water usage. The district asked all of its customers to implement the stage of their own Drought Contingency Plans resulting in at least a 30 percent reduction in water use. For more information, you can contact Garrett at (254) 501-9243, or send an email to general@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ongoing Bell County projects to cause reduced water supply
BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – The Bell County Water Control & Improvement District #1 (WCID 1) is raising awareness of reduced water supply during critical project completions coming next month. WCID 1 says two projects planned and funded to bring about improved reliability and enhanced resiliency are nearing completion. However, they will require a shut down of the 48-inch line to make final connections. This water main delivers approximately 2/3rds of the total water supply to the cities of Nolanville, Harker Heights, Killeen, and Copperas Cove – along with the 439 Water Supply Corporation and Fort Cavazos. A bid was awarded to McLean Construction in Killeen on April 24, 2024, in order to constructapproximately 5,000 feet of 54-inch steel pipeline parallel and adjacent to the problem riddledsection of 48-inch concrete steel cylinder pipe. Since the 48-inch pipe was originally installed in1975, there have been several main breaks resulting in reduced water supply to the approximate 265,000 population served by this system. WCID 1 says all but one line rupture occurred within a 5,000-foot section of the pipeline near North Nolan Road on the east side of the Fort Cavazos Military Reservation. The new steel pipe section is complete except for the connections to the existing 48 inch on either end as shown in the picture below. The other project is the construction of a 3-million-gallon concrete storage tank a few mileswest of the parallel line construction. This bid was also awarded to DN Tanks at the April 2024 WCID 1 Board Meeting. This project also requires a shutdown of the 48 to make the necessary connections to the transmission main as shown in the picture below. WCID 1 says it will be initiating Stage 3 of its Drought Contingency Plan toward the end of May, seeking at least a 30 percent reduction in water usage. The district will be asking all of its customers to implement the stage of their own Drought Contingency Plans resulting in at least a 30 percent reduction in water use. This curtailment could last up to four days while contractors make the critical connections and welds. During the time water is shut down on the 48-inch line, water delivery from the Belton Water Treatment Plant will be from a 24-inch line and a 30-inch line. If water usage from residents and businesses is reduced enough, a boil water advisory may not be necessary. However, if water usage depletes storage levels, then a mandatory boil order will be issued forpublic health and safety. The District will implement Emergency Water Demand Measures forwater delivery as shown in our Drought Contingency Plan. The Pro Rata Allocation from thisportion of the Conservation Plan will be used as a guide for reporting reduced usage during theshutdown period. WCID 1 says several water saving tips are available at For more information, you can contact Bell County WCID #1 General Manager Ricky Garrett at (254) 501-9243 or send an email to general@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Experts sound alarm as unusual conditions could threaten water supply for millions of Americans: 'Abysmal'
Drought has defined water conditions in the western United States in recent years. This year, conditions seem particularly dry in the southwestern U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Drought Information System. The organizations released a report earlier this month detailing snow-water conditions across the West. The report concluded dry conditions plagued the Southwest and produced "deepening snow deficits." Of the western U.S., 62% experienced below-average snow-water conditions this winter, NOAA and NIDIS reported. The driest areas included northwestern Montana, eastern Wyoming, central and southern Utah, and southwestern Colorado, while Arizona and New Mexico had the least precipitation. Arizona and New Mexico recorded less than 50% of normal snow-water conditions at all but two monitoring stations. Some of these stations –– like Verde Basin and Little Colorado Basin in Arizona –– experienced as little as 8% and 17% of normal conditions, respectively. The report described the Southwest's snowpack as "abysmal," which could be "critical" for the region's water supply. Arizona and New Mexico's dry winters will decrease the Southwest's water supply into the spring and summer. The Bureau of Reclamation forecasts inflow into Lake Powell –– which supplies water to communities in Arizona, Nevada, and California –– at 67% of normal from April to July. This winter does not mark the Southwest's first poor snowpack. Lake Powell has experienced "long-term persistent drought" and below-average water levels since 2002, according to Western Resource Advocates. The organization described the snowpack in Lake Powell's watershed as "rarely" being above average. This decline in snow-water conditions results from changes in climate rather than weather. Rising temperatures are making droughts more common and more severe, reported NOAA. Warmer temperatures, according to NOAA, allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture before falling as rain or snow. Less precipitation can decrease water resources, like Lake Powell, and impact other weather events, like wildfires. Increased risk for wildfires exists in the Southwest through June, predicts the National Interagency Fire Center. Droughts persist due to rising temperatures, but we can mitigate their impact. Education and action regarding climate issues can bring attention to them. Legislation that concerns these issues, like the Drought Contingency Plan that manages and conserves water in Lake Powell, can prevent negative consequences from them. Success stories of once drought-ridden landscapes, like Lake Urmia in Iran, give cause for hope. Other projects, like one to improve drinking water in Florida, help both drought-affected environments and communities. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
