Water Level
|
632.14 ft
updated 4:00 PM
|
Live Webcam
Vacation Rentals
|
Texas drought grows in severity; threatens record crop loss (Photos)
Posted: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 12:00 AM - 12,136 Readers
By: Melissa Bell
A drought that has overtaken the plains of the United States is
reminding some of the 1930s, when dry land turned into a Dust Bowl. The
lack of rain, the brushfires and high temperatures have set records from
Lousiana to New Mexico. The hardest hit state, though, may be Texas.
The Associated Press reports:
“About 70 percent of Texas rangeland and pastures are classified as
in very poor condition, which means there has been complete or near
complete crop failure or there’s no food for grazing livestock. The crop
and livestock losses could be the worst the state has seen — perhaps
twice the previous single-year record of $4.1 billion set in 2006, said
David Anderson, an economist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service.”
So far, the drought
has cost “the struggling U.S. economy upward of $1.5 billion and
counting, largely from agricultural impacts, Capital Weather Gang’s
Andrew Freedman reports.
The drought has caused oyster production to fall, despite hopes that a
good harvest would make up for the oysters lost in the Gulf oil spill.
It also has uncovered metal objects in a lake in East Texas that
scientists believe may have come from the space shuttle Columbia.
View images of the heat-socked land:
Football
players take a water break during practice at Carter-Riverside High
School in Fort Worth. Water and electricity usage is soaring, prompting
the state's electricity grid manager to ask Texans to conserve energy
during the hottest part of the day.
(Brandon Wade/AP)
An
oyster boat heads in to dock at Jeri's Seafood in Smith Point, Texas,
with the morning's catch. Any hope that Texas oysters were going to make
up the productivity lost in Mississippi and Louisiana due to flooding
and last year's oil spill have been killed by the third-worst drought in
Lone Star State history.
(Pat Sullivan/AP)
A
mussel shell lies on the bank of a dried-up creek bed near Lake
Arlington in Arlington, Texas. Temperatures of 108 Fahrenheit (42
Celsius) were recorded in the area.
(Tim Sharp/Reuters)
Police
say low water levels at the lake during the drought have led to
recovery of a container-like object that could be from space shuttle
Columbia. The shuttle broke apart and burned in February 2003,
scattering remnants over East Texas.
(AP)
Footprints mark the bank of a partially dried-up pond near downtown Dallas.
(Tim Sharp/Reuters)
An
underweight longhorn stands in a field near Stoneham in Grimes County,
Texas, in an area that was part of a 5,000-acre wildfire in June.
(Jay Janner/AP)
A portion of the Cypress Creek Arm of Lake Travis is completely dry on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.
(Jay Janner/AP)
A
"pray for rain" sign is seen on the fence of a ranch near Hondo, Texas.
It has rained less than six inches on average statewide through the end
of June, according to the state climatologist. Thirteen inches fall in a
normal year.
(Eric Gay/AP)
[edit]
|
Lake Travis News
LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday
Nov 6, 2018
|
34,586 Readers |
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions
Oct 30, 2018
|
28,244 Readers |
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday
Oct 30, 2018
|
31,190 Readers |
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,355 Readers |
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis
Oct 18, 2018
|
33,343 Readers |
An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,706 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday
Oct 17, 2018
|
27,499 Readers |
Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water
Oct 17, 2018
|
26,755 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution
Oct 17, 2018
|
30,500 Readers |
Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open
Oct 17, 2018
|
23,062 Readers |
Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis
May 15, 2018
|
27,646 Readers |
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree
May 8, 2018
|
25,671 Readers |
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake?
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,187 Readers |
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin
Aug 4, 2017
|
28,091 Readers |
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional?
Jul 31, 2017
|
31,914 Readers |
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th
Jun 27, 2017
|
27,607 Readers |
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin
May 25, 2017
|
29,888 Readers |
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis
May 23, 2017
|
27,446 Readers |
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals
Aug 9, 2016
|
37,673 Readers |
Large Crowds Expected at Lake Travis For Holiday Weekend
Jul 1, 2016
|
39,363 Readers |
Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues
Jul 27, 2022
|
14,827 Readers |
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding
Nov 2, 2018
|
29,522 Readers |
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full
Oct 17, 2018
|
22,877 Readers |
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding
Oct 17, 2018
|
24,377 Readers |
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding
Oct 16, 2018
|
24,366 Readers |
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules
Oct 15, 2018
|
24,646 Readers |
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says
May 9, 2018
|
26,400 Readers |
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,571 Readers |
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam
Aug 7, 2017
|
27,072 Readers |
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning?
Jul 14, 2017
|
28,328 Readers |
Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week
Oct 16, 2018
|
22,431 Readers |
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest
May 15, 2018
|
26,978 Readers |
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017
Aug 7, 2017
|
28,367 Readers |
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017
Apr 1, 2016
|
38,651 Readers |
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return
Mar 24, 2016
|
38,272 Readers |
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list!
Jan 13, 2016
|
35,947 Readers |
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0)
Oct 19, 2015
|
38,010 Readers |
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions
Apr 17, 2015
|
40,389 Readers |
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record
Mar 14, 2015
|
40,773 Readers |
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards
Mar 11, 2015
|
41,674 Readers |
Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat
May 16, 2018
|
26,656 Readers |
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake
May 16, 2018
|
25,682 Readers |
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K
May 16, 2018
|
26,258 Readers |
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding
May 15, 2018
|
26,926 Readers |
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis
May 11, 2018
|
27,674 Readers |
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake
May 5, 2018
|
27,391 Readers |
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution
Aug 5, 2017
|
27,204 Readers |
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park
Jul 14, 2017
|
26,466 Readers |
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe
Apr 27, 2017
|
27,818 Readers |
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses
Jun 8, 2016
|
36,415 Readers |
Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise
May 16, 2018
|
26,212 Readers |
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel
May 10, 2018
|
24,079 Readers |
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin
Sep 28, 2017
|
29,331 Readers |
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,780 Readers |
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin
Jul 30, 2017
|
27,424 Readers |
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory
Jul 28, 2017
|
27,632 Readers |
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge
May 27, 2016
|
37,590 Readers |
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions
May 18, 2016
|
37,760 Readers |
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property
May 14, 2016
|
37,693 Readers |
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World
May 6, 2016
|
41,508 Readers |
News Archives 2011 - Select a Month
|