From Staff Reports

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After three years of drought contingencies and water restrictions, the United States Army Corps of Engineers began releasing 1,100 cubic feet per second at Lavon Lake dam April 27 in accordance with their water control plans. North Texas Municipal Water District reported releases cease when the level returns to the normal conservation pool.

The key water supply for Wylie and the surrounding cities, the lakes’ supply reservoirs for NTMWD reached normal conservation levels on Saturday, April 25. Lavon Lake reached its full conservation pool of 492 feet mean sea level (msl) with an elevation of 492.05 feet msl.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers, the owner and operator of the Lavon and Jim Chapman lakes, is monitoring reservoir levels for flood mitigation. They will determine if releases are required to protect public safety and reduce the potential for damage caused by a flood event.

Last week, starting May 1, NTMWD moved from drought restrictions to a Water Conservation Plan that limits landscape watering to no more than two days per week on trash day and three days after, only if needed, and never between 10 am and 6 pm.

“The much needed rains have helped put our water supplies in the position to be able to move to a more relaxed watering schedule. Even with relaxed measures, we must continue improving the wise and efficient use of water,” NTMWD Executive Director Tom Kula said. “Water conservation is still needed and is the new norm.”

 

NTMWD, in partnership with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, offers a tool that computes weekly law watering needs. The tool, Water My yard, found at watermyyard.org utilizes recent weather conditions and the type of sprinkler system you have.

 

Water conservation is still necessary, though. Repairing and readjusting sprinkler heads, fixing leaky faucets and ensuring compliance with schedules, are all still very much a priority, since wasted water cannot be recovered. Residents are urged to continue to keep sprinklers off and use the manual mode to irrigate, if needed, and to turn off sprinkler systems during rain events and on days when watering isn’t necessary.

For more information regarding water release contact the Lavon Lake Office at 972-442-3141. Residents of Wylie can visit the city website wylietexas.gov for further conservation tips.