Toledo Bend Reservoir: Drought Advisory #2 - August 19, 2011
Press Release: Toledo Bend Division, Sabine River Authority of Texas

Persons having interests in Toledo Bend Reservoir are hereby advised that on Thursday, August 19, 2011, the General Manager of the Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA-TX) initiated Stage 2 of the SRA-TX Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan for Toledo Bend Reservoir. Moderate Water Shortage Conditions (Stage 2) exist when the water surface elevation in Toledo Bend Reservoir falls to and remains at or below 162.2 feet mean sea level (m.s.l.) for fourteen consecutive days.

During a moderate water storage condition, SRA encourages implementing reductions in non-essential outdoor water uses. Examples of non-essential outdoor water uses include lawn irrigation, vehicle washing, filling of swimming pools or routine maintenance of facilities. Each SRA-TX customer entity in turn will follow its individual measures for moderate water storage conditions.

Any updates on drought conditions will be posted on the SRA-TX website, www.sratx.org as they occur. Toledo Bend Reservoir lake level information is posted each business day on the website at link: http://www.sratx.org/basin/lake_and_river_conditions.asp. Daily reservoir elevations may also be obtained from Toledo Bend Division during business hours at 409/565-2273.

Interested persons can monitor near real-time Toledo Bend lake level data at the USGS website link:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08025350&PARAmeter_cd=00062,72020,00054.

Safe access to the reservoir is very important. To assist recreational users with safe access, SRA-TX will provide a list of Toledo Bend Reservoir accessibility points on our website, www.sratx.org. The list displays all boat ramps on the Texas side of Toledo Bend Reservoir with the lowest known level that the boat ramps can still accommodate access to the reservoir. Please use caution when accessing the reservoir using this list since it is an approximation and successful access will depend on reservoir conditions and the type of watercraft being launched. The accessibility list on the website will be updated every other week. For daily updates, please call the Toledo Bend Division office at (409) 565-2273.

SRA-TX also wants to advise everyone that the Antiquities Code of both Texas and Louisiana prohibit digging for or removal of any artifacts such as arrowheads, bones or pottery on public property. For more information on each State's code, or to report any violators contact either:

Texas Historical Commission (512) 463-6096 (www.thc.state.tx.us/rulesregs/rrstate.shtml)

Louisiana Div. of Archeology (225) 342-8170 (www.crt.state.la.us/archaeology/legislation/chapter_13.aspx)

For more information, contact the Toledo Bend Division at (409) 565-2273.

City of Center Water System Implements Stage II of Conservation and Drought Plan - August 24, 2011
Press Release

Mandatory Limitations on Lawn Watering Required

While the City's long-term availability of water is not yet in jeopardy, there is the necessity to minimize daily usage. The City's water system has experienced record consumption levels over the past three months combined with significant drought conditions. Center is almost twenty inches below average rainfall for 2011 and was also over ten inches below normal during 2010. This combined with extended 100+ degree temperatures over the last two months have rapidly depleted the City's storage in its two lakes. Lake Pinkston is approximately nine feet below normal operational level and Old City Lake has essentially reverted to a flowing creek. "This is the most severe drought east Texas has faced since the 1950s and the City is exploring options to enhance both immediate and long term water supply capacity," stated Mayor David Chadwick.

It is anticipated that Old City Lake will soon become unreliable for water treatment to supplement the water supplied from Lake Pinks ton. This minimizes the total amount of water the City's system can produce on a daily basis. The City will have difficulties producing enough water on a daily basis without a reduction in use once Old City lake becomes unreliable for producing water. The City needs to reduce roughly 400,000 gallons of use daily to minimize the possibility of water outages. "The City is already working with major customers and water supply corporations to accomplish over half of this goal, but the assistance of residential and business customers will be necessary to ensure the daily use doesn't outpace production capability," said Chad Nehring, City Manager.

Effective Tuesday, August 23rd, the City will implement Stage II of its Conservation and Drought Plan. The primary impact to most City water customers is that requested lawn watering schedules become mandatory restrictions and enforceable violations. Lawn watering limits include:

Addresses with even numbers, water ONLY on even numbered calendar days;
Addresses with odd numbers, water ONLY on odd numbered calendar days;
No lawn watering between the hours of 6am and 8pm;
No watering resulting in water running out of the yard into the street or ditch.

At this time, there are no limits on residential or business use other than outdoor watering restrictions. Continued conservation remains necessary and appreciated. Every customer will receive direct mail notice of these requirements within the week. No fines will be imposed for an initial period, but staff will begin issuing notices of violation in the form of warnings. "We hope to be able to meet our use reductions and inform our customers well enough that enforcement doesn't become necessary," stated Nehring.

If anyone has questions about water availability, water quality or services, City Hall can be contacted at 936-598-2941.

City Water System Enters Stage I of Water Conservation Plan - August 9, 2011
Press Release

The City of Center water utility is formally requesting all customers to initiate water conservation measures at homes and businesses.  The current drought now has Center officially sixteen (16) inches below normal rainfall totals for this year.  This is now one of the most significant short-term droughts in Center's history.

Center Lake

These drought conditions have already significantly impacted the availability of water in both the Old City Lake (Mill Creek Reservoir) and Lake Pinkston which provide all water within the City.  With continued drought conditions expected for at least the next several months, it is anticipated that mandatory restrictions of use will be required to insure adequate water for normal daily consumption needs.

Sand Hill Water Supply to Conserve Water - August 9, 2011
Submitted by Mike Adams

All customers on the Sand Hill Water Supply system are being asked to use only water necessary for home use. Please no outside watering or washing vehicles, do not fill any swimming pools. These restrictions are extremely necessary to continue to have enough water to get us thru this drought. If you see any water Please call 590-9032 or 590-2091.