Toledo Bend Reservoir Drought Advisory - January 26, 2012

Persons having interests in Toledo Bend Reservoir are hereby advised that on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, the General Manager of the Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA-TX) changed the drought stage of Toledo Bend Reservoir from Moderate (Stage 2) to Mild (Stage 1) in accordance with the SRA-TX Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan. Mild Water Shortage Conditions (Stage 1) exist when the water surface elevation in Toledo Bend Reservoir falls to and remains at or below 165.1 feet mean sea level (m.s.l.) for fourteen consecutive days.

During a mild water storage condition, SRA-TX encourages voluntary water use reductions. Each customer entity in turn will follow its individual measures for mild water storage condition.

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.

To assist recreational users with safe access to the reservoir, SRA-TX provides a list of Toledo Bend Reservoir accessibility points on our website, www.sratx.org. The list displays public boat ramps on the Texas side of Toledo Bend Reservoir that are generally accessible at the specified lake level. Caution should be used when accessing the reservoir as successful access will depend on reservoir conditions and the type of watercraft being launched. For more information on boat ramps, please call the Toledo Bend Division office at (409) 565-2273.

SRA-TX also advises 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.