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.)
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