The effects of the megadrought in the American Southwest are reaching into Texas.
Audrey McGlinchy reports for KUT that water levels have fallen enough to trigger water restrictions for the first time in three years.
“Austin gets its water from Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan,” reports McGlinchy. “Officials said Friday they expect water levels in these lakes to drop below 1.4 million acre-feet in the next several days. When that happens, the city enters what it calls ‘Stage 1’ of its Drought Contingency Plan.”
Restrictions include limiting the use of automatic irrigation systems to once a week, using hose-end sprinklers twice a week, and restaurant workers only serving water upon request.
Although Texas is neither one of the Colorado River Compact (1922) states, nor the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan (2019), drought conditions on the Upper Colorado River watershed are impacting the city’s reservoirs, according to the article.
FULL STORY: As lake levels drop, Austin tightens water restrictions for first time in years
More Need Than Ever for Drought Resilience on the Colorado River
The effects of climate change are already cutting deeply into the lifeblood of the U.S. West—the Colorado River.
Superfund Project to Deliver Massive Water Supply Boon to Los Angeles
The semi-arid region of Los Angeles is often mistaken for a desert, but the local water supply is also constrained by the environmental sins of the 20th century. The water supply equation of Los Angeles will soon change, however.
Ramping Up Recycled Wastewater
States like Colorado and water suppliers in parts of Southern California are expanding the use of recycled wastewater to protect dwindling drinking water supplies.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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