Kerrville officials urge residents to conserve water as the Guadalupe River flow drops to 10% of normal levels.
SAN ANTONIO — A call to action by Kerrville officials, as the Guadalupe River is experiencing lower flow rates than usual.
Drought condition, along with growing water needs for trees and grasses, are highlighting the need for conservation.
Kerrville officials say significant low water flow is putting considerable strain on the river, and if the drought continues, they expect conditions to worsen.
“We are in a super severe drought here, this is not normal for us,” said Stuart Barron, Executive Director of Public Works, City of Kerrville.
Low flow rates of the river are at about 10% of what it normally flows, causing concern for officials.
“Currently, the water flowing over the dam, is flowing at about eight cubic feet per second. Last year at this time, it was flowing about 20 CFS. Normally, on a normal year, it flows about 89 CFS,” said Barron.
Barron says environmental conditions, with trees budding leaves and grass growing, will have vegetation consuming more water.
“We’re going to see the river recede even more, than what it’s receding right now,” said Barron.
With no end of drought conditions in sight, the City of Kerrville is putting in a call to action for area residents to conserve water.
“We’re trying to tell people, hey, this year’s probably not a good year to plant grass, or even replant landscaping,” said Barron.
City officials say landscape watering consumes more water than any other use for many residential property, by limiting irrigation, the city can save more than 1 million gallons of water per day.
Currently, Kerrville is in stage 3 water restrictions, which allows watering twice a week.
Longtime area resident Jennifer Enciso says it’s sad to see water levels so low, adding that others should not worry about how their yards look this year.
“If you are watering please don’t, because we want to see this river come back again,” said Enciso.
Barron says every drop counts, and even small changes can make a big difference in helping the Guadalupe River recover, and ensure it’s future.
“Everybody in the city of Kerrville and in all the cities around us, this area are just in an extreme drought,” Barron said. “Fredericksburg. Kerrville, Boerne, everybody needs to conserve water. We’re all in this together, so pray for rain.”