BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY ADVISES CUSTOMERS OF DROUGHT PRECAUTIONS

August 31, 2020 -- The Brazos River Authority has informed customers accessing water from Lake Proctor that a Stage 1 Drought Watch has been declared for this BRA System reservoir. The drought watch is the result of prolonged dry weather conditions in the Lake Proctor watershed.  Lake Proctor reached the Stage 1 Drought Watch trigger elevation of 1158.2 feet mean sea level in late August. 

The purpose of the Stage 1 Drought Watch is to alert the public of the current drought situation, to promote careful use of water and to achieve a voluntary five percent (5%) reduction of the water use that would have occurred in the absence of any drought contingency measures. 

BRA contract holders that draw water from Lake Proctor include the North Leon River Irrigation Corporation, Lake Proctor Irrigation Authority, and the Upper Leon River Municipal Water District.  Each received a letter alerting them of drought conditions at Lake Proctor and requesting the following additional measures: 

• Activate their Drought Contingency Plan,
• Increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use,
• Notify customers of actions being taken, and
• Any other actions deemed appropriate for their situation.

The BRAs Drought Contingency Plan provides for several lake level triggering criteria, based on four levels of potential drought conditions. 

“The purpose of Stage I is to make our customers and the general public aware of developing drought conditions,” said Water Services Manager, Aaron Abel.  Our goal with Stage 1 restrictions is to help preserve and extend water supplies during these dry conditions and delay the need to implement further restrictions until drought conditions ease.”  

Should Stage II triggering criteria be met, both BRA customers and the general public will be asked to voluntarily reduce water consumption by a 10 percent reduction of the use that would have occurred in the absence of drought contingency measures.