Corpus Christi is in a historic water crisis, with the Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi at record lows. Both are less than 10 percent full.
This has left Jackson County residents concerned that Lake Texana could be destined to be nearly emptied as well, after Governor Greg Abbott requested that the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority postpone a curtailment of Corpus’ water allotment. Residents shared concerns across social media about Jackson County’s water supply, and what could happen if Lake Texana reaches lows similar to the other reservoirs supplying the Corpus area.
“The Governor’s office called,” said LNRA General Manager Patrick Brzozowski, “And asked us to consider not enforcing our drought contingency measure.”
Brzozowski explained that, typically, when the lake capacity dips below 50 percent, one of the measures is to reduce consumption or diversions by 10 percent.
Governor Abbott asked that LNRA not enforce this reduction, which would affect Corpus and all other customers.
Corpus Christi and surrounding areas receive water via the Mary Rhodes Pipeline, which pulls water not only from Lake Texana, but also the Colorado River, to help provide water to residents and industry in seven counties surrounding Corpus Christi.
Brzozowski called the situation a “perfect storm” of conditions that have contributed to the low lake levels, which he said still haven’t reached the historic lows seen in 2012, when Corpus was flush, but Jackson County struggled with drought. In 2012, he added, Corpus Christi allowed Formosa Plastics, another customer who receives water from Texana to contract water that was unused by the city.
Recently, Corpus was allowed to receive water that was originally contracted for Formosa.
As for people concerned about local water supply, Brzozowski said only the City of Point Comfort relies on surface water for supply.
“Other than recreation, everyone else in our basin uses groundwater,” he said. “I don’t think we have an immediate alarm here from a potable water supply issue.”
In the end, though, the only thing that is going to replenish the dwindling lake is rain.
The Corpus area can consider desalination plants and drill for groundwater. Should the lake fall below 40 percent capacity, LNRA can employ a drought contingency plan and reduce supply to customers by 20 percent to help prolong the water supply, but the only thing that can fix the problem is enough rain to replenish supply - but probably not as much rain as one may think. Just a few inches of rain in the right place could significantly impact lake elevation.
“We all need to join in prayer for water,” he said. “Last year we got 46 inches of rain at the office, but we haven’t received normal rain flows over the past three years.”
To fill the lake, rain needs to fall not just on Jackson County, but upriver in the areas that feed the lake. He also said that this time of year, after crops are planted, the fields absorb less and more runoff can help lake levels as well.
Brzozowski also pointed out, though, that last year’s rains came later in the year than usual. A dry spring led to a wetter summer, and low lake levels rebounded, so there is no reason to panic just yet.
“We put practices in place trying to sustain ourselves through a drought,” he said. “At some point, everybody has to cut back, but we’re not to that point yet.”
