Posted: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:46 PM - 6,794 Readers

By: Jim Bergamo

Forecasters with the LCRA say if the drought in Central Texas continues through the summer, both Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan could drop to levels that haven't been seen since 1984 - Lake Travis Water Level 1984

LCRA meteorologist Bob Rose says the Interstate 35 corridor from Austin to San Antonio remains in exceptional drought, the worst of the four stages of drought. He says despite some recent storms, the rains haven't lasted long enough to impact the drought.

"These aren't the kind of storms to change this kind of picture around so even the rains we have had this spring have done very little to the levels of the highland lakes so this drought from last year is still ongoing and getting worse," said Rose.

Austin Water Utility is also monitoring the drought. Right now the policy of no watering from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. along with the residential and business two-day a week water rationing appears to be working.

"As long as folks do that, I think we are going to be in pretty good shape," said Daryl Slusher with the Austin Water Utility Environmental Affairs and Conservation.

Jesse Sudderth has lived in Austin for 20 years, and feels complying with the water rationing is just the rational thing to do.

"I have an obligation to my kids and my grandkids and everybody else to leave them water also," Sudderth said.

Despite temperatures in the mid to upper 90's, 77 year old Ed Golden was hard at work outside repairing his RV Monday, and he says for good reason.

"It's difficult to bring this in the house, so I had to do this out here," Golden said.

Joking aside, Golden says he's not too concerned about over exerting himself.

"Cause I don't stay out four hours or anything, I'm here to fix a project then I'll go back in and get a cold glass of water and I'll be fine," he said.

Once inside his air-conditioned home, Golden and other Austin residents should remain quite comfortable, according to Austin Energy.

"We have plenty of electricity to meet the demand this summer," said Carlos Cordova with Austin Energy.

He says Austin Energy says the encouraging news is based on the area seeing anywhere from 20-30 days of triple digit temperatures compared to 50 last summer.

"Last year Austin Energy set records for every single month from May through August, this year we're not seeing that, we haven't set any records yet," Cordova said.

"So not quite as bad as last year but still pretty miserable," Rose said.

*  Story Contributed by: Jim Bergamo