REALLY Bad News for Texas

This courtesy of the National Weather Service

I am an optimistic person.  I always believe everything will work itself out in time.  However, I just read “The SciGuy” column by Eric Berger in the “Houston Chronicle”.  OMG!  According to this article, if you think things are bad now, wait.  There is a 50/50 chance the drought is going to get worse.  My optimism is beginning to fade.

Chart courtesy of the Texas Water Development Board

Please click the link above and read this article.  It is truly frightening.  Even though it says we are not going to get a break on the current heat wave and there is a 50/50 chance the drought will continue, the really scary part of the article has to do with our reservoirs.  In January, our water reservoirs were at 91% capacity.  Today they are at 64%.  So, if my math is right, Texas has used about 1/3 of its surface water in the past eight months.  That is truly frightening to me.

This drought has taken a huge toll on my yard, beds and gardens.  I really don’t know how we will survive another year of it.  If it is all I can do to keep a few beds alive right now, I cannot imagine what it will be like if we don’t get a ton of rain this fall and winter.  This is truly going to be devastating to those of us whose hobby relies on water.  And the poor farmers and ranchers!  I cannot even imagine the financial impact this is going to have on them.  At this point, all I can do is reiterate what Rick Perry said last month; “Pray for rain!”