The Authority has statutory responsibility for conserving and developing the water resources of the Brazos River Basin and making them available for beneficial use. The Brazos River Basin covers about 47,000 square miles, with 44,440 in Texas (all or part of 70 counties) and slightly over 2,500 in New Mexico. The Authority’s service area includes the Brazos River Basin and the Authority also supplies water to the San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin and a small part of the Trinity Basin.
One of the major responsibilities of the Authority is to maintain a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) in accordance with state regulations. The purpose of a DCP is the development of strategies for temporary supply and demand management in response to water supply shortages and other water supply emergencies.
The vast area of the basin can simultaneously dictate different conditions and strategies. Currently, much of the state is suffering from prolonged dry weather conditions. As a result, I feel it important to discuss the DCP and some of the steps it involves.
The DCP has three conditions, or stages, ranging from 1-3 in level of severity. Each stage is tied to a corresponding reservoir level, called a “trigger” level.
When a reservoir drops below its Stage 1 trigger level, I will initiate the Stage 1 Drought Watch Condition. This is intended to raise customer and public awareness of potential drought problems. There is no goal for reduction of water use.
If the same reservoir drops below its Stage 2 trigger level, the Stage 2 Drought Warning Condition will be initiated. The goal of this stage of the DCP is a three percent reduction in water use, heightened awareness, monitoring, and planning.
Should dry conditions continue, and the reservoir drops below its Stage 3 trigger level, I will initiate the Stage 3 Drought Emergency Condition. The goal of this stage is a total reduction of seven percent in water use. Some actions in Stage 3 involve mandatory conservation requirements on both the Authority and its customers and require notification of the TCEQ.
While not all reservoirs have reached trigger levels as laid out in the DCP, the Authority asks that everyone keep in mind the harsh conditions currently hampering a large majority of the state and do their best monitor and be conservative in their water use.
Know that the Brazos River Authority is constantly watching the weather forecasts, streamflows and level of all of our lakes in the Brazos River Basin. We will continue to monitor the basin for additional developments and take appropriate action as necessary. We appreciate the cooperative efforts of all of our customers as we work through this difficult climate.
Sincerely,
Phil Ford
General Manager/CEO
