Drought May Force Throckmorton to Resort to Using Water Pipeline
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: November 28, 2011
As Lake Throckmorton drops to its lowest point in years, the prospect of it running dry gets more likely with each passing day.
"By projections we could go into early spring," said Throckmorton mayor Will Carroll.
It's a feeling that's all too familiar for some Throckmorton residents. The town took drastic measures when the lake dropped to six percent capacity back in 2000. During that time, it was the first town in the United States declared a disaster area due to drought by the Red Cross.
"It was pretty desperate because our lake was getting so low that it looked like the town was going to run out of water," said Maxie Jackson, who lives in Throckmorton.
With only 45 to 60 days of water left, the city came up with an emergency plan to build a pipeline and bring water in from Fort Belknap in Graham. Thanks to volunteers from around the country, it was ready to go just a few days before the lake would have run out.
"We were able to do it in four weeks. Within six weeks we had running water," Carroll recalled.
The pipeline runs underground for 21 miles. While it could provide emergency water to the town, the mayor said turning it back on would put a huge financial strain on the city.
"If we're going through the pipeline, all we're doing is just taking the cost that we get and passing it on to the customers. So we can't recover costs for equipment, salaries, that sort of thing," he said.
With little promise of Lake Throckmorton being replenished anytime soon, come spring, the pipeline could mean salvation for their city for the second time in 11 years.
"Even if we won't be able to make revenue off it, at least we'll have the water for people to use and sustain life," Carroll said.
Throckmorton is now under stage two water shortage conditions.
Lake Throckmorton is now at 35 percent capacity. The current level is at 8.8 feet below the spillway.
"By projections we could go into early spring," said Throckmorton mayor Will Carroll.
It's a feeling that's all too familiar for some Throckmorton residents. The town took drastic measures when the lake dropped to six percent capacity back in 2000. During that time, it was the first town in the United States declared a disaster area due to drought by the Red Cross.
"It was pretty desperate because our lake was getting so low that it looked like the town was going to run out of water," said Maxie Jackson, who lives in Throckmorton.
With only 45 to 60 days of water left, the city came up with an emergency plan to build a pipeline and bring water in from Fort Belknap in Graham. Thanks to volunteers from around the country, it was ready to go just a few days before the lake would have run out.
"We were able to do it in four weeks. Within six weeks we had running water," Carroll recalled.
The pipeline runs underground for 21 miles. While it could provide emergency water to the town, the mayor said turning it back on would put a huge financial strain on the city.
"If we're going through the pipeline, all we're doing is just taking the cost that we get and passing it on to the customers. So we can't recover costs for equipment, salaries, that sort of thing," he said.
With little promise of Lake Throckmorton being replenished anytime soon, come spring, the pipeline could mean salvation for their city for the second time in 11 years.
"Even if we won't be able to make revenue off it, at least we'll have the water for people to use and sustain life," Carroll said.
Throckmorton is now under stage two water shortage conditions.
Lake Throckmorton is now at 35 percent capacity. The current level is at 8.8 feet below the spillway.
