Posted: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 09:41 PM - 11,217 Readers

By: Ben Wright

LCRA loosened up its rules for new water contracts last week, citing much improved lake levels and the large amount of rainfall since September.

According to documents presented to the board Wednesday, “the potential for being in a drought worse than the drought of record no longer exists." Lake Travis is currently full while Lake Buchanan is 71 percent full and rising.

"This had been one of the wettest falls and winters here on record," said LCRA meteorologist Bob Rose. "We saw considerable runoff into the highland lakes and we're still facing a fairly wet spring."

Rose expects the cooler than usual weather to persist into May or June, which will mean less evaporation from the lakes as well.

The LCRA has reversed the decision made in November that made even small water contracts subject to board approval. LCRA staff is once again authorized to approve contracts with water customers for less than 500 acre-feet. (For perspective, the Pedernales Golf course has a contract with LCRA for 82 acre-feet.)