LAKE SOMERVILLE UNDER STAGE 1 DROUGHT WATCH
Lake Somerville is now in Stage 1 drought status.
The Brazos River Authority (BRA) on Monday announced that a Stage 1 drought watch has been implemented for the lake. The move is a result of the area near the reservoir meeting a trigger set in the BRA’s Drought Contingency Plan associated with the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index (PHDI).
The PHDI is a product of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and indicates the level of wet or dry conditions within a particular area. The BRA says that due to the drier-than-normal conditions in the lower Brazos River basin, the monthly PHDI has fallen below the -2.4 trigger for Lake Somerville.
The stated goals of a Stage 1 drought watch are to raise awareness of the developing drought situation and achieve a voluntary 5 percent reduction of normal water use.
Each water contract holder that obtains water from the lake is asked to activate their Drought Contingency Plan, increase public education efforts on ways to reduce water use, notify customers of actions being taken, and take any other actions deemed appropriate.
Contract holders that obtain water supply from the lake include the cities of Brenham, Manvel, Richmond, Rosenberg and Sugar Land; BASF Corporation; Blanchard Refining Company, LLC; Dow Chemical Company; Gulf Coast Water Authority; NRG Texas Power, LLC; and Geosouthern II, LLC. According to the BRA, some of these entities receive water from the lake when it is released into the Brazos River.
Lake levels currently sit at 236.12 feet. The lake is considered full at 238 feet.
Click here for drought information from the Brazos River Authority.
As we know Brenham is building one subdivision after another. My friend who I will not mention their name says with all the families moving to this area they are concerned about the water use. A family of three or four bathing, watering yards etc times many more homes to be built is a conversation. Now since we know our water is being sold or going to service all these contracts is eye opening. We need wise people to make plans for Brenham growth. Not people on the council that only care about their future pocketbook. Bastrop was like Brenham at one time. Now it’s nothing but Dollar Stores and Toco Cabanna. And crime increasing all the time. Sound familiar? Brenham is standing by and letting their sweet little town go in the same direction. Starting with Brenham Crossing. Ruining another piece of real estate. City council needs to have meetings so the public can attend, not when they are working. Please Brenham people start speaking up. Don’t sit by start getting involved.
It is time for Washington County residents to open there eyes alittle wider. They as in the corps and the city have been taking our lake from us that we pay taxes for. Just like big government take it alittle at a time then WAM! County residents have no more rights to the lake. They meaning our city and corps just give the locals the scraps!!!!!
Wow…i grew up believing and always thought that Brenham was the only city that used the lake. Kinda shocked to hear Houston area cities and those petrochemical and power companies use the lake as well….
Thet are not getting water directly from the lake. Read again and you will see the water comes from the Brazos River after leaving the lake.(down stream water)
So with less water in the lake, does that mean the concentration of fracking chemicals parts per million in our drinking water will be higher? The city tests for these chemicals but does not reveal results of this testing since the Feds sold oil leases around and under Lake Somerville 5 years ago. Most residents drink bottled water, which is evident in bottled water sales in our stores. But with a poverty rate of about 27%, many cannot afford buying water. Safe bet no one in city hall drinks tap water all the time. Maybe the city would consider selling the poor water at a cost rate?