Texas Panhandle sees dry conditions to start September, La Niña development expected in fall

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Texas Water Development Board reported abnormally dry conditions in parts of the Texas Panhandle during the week of Aug. 26, showing little change from the previous week.

In its most recent “Water Weekly” report, the TWDB noted 20% of the state of Texas was experiencing drought conditions as of Aug. 26, compared to 20% the previous week, 39% three months ago and 48% one year ago.

Since mid-July, the drought area in Texas reached a high of 22% on July 15 and a low of 19% on Aug. 5, according to the TWDB.

Elsewhere in the state, the TWDB reported abnormally dry conditions remained along the coast and in North and East Texas, as well as in the Texas Panhandle. Drought conditions continued to be at their most severe in portions of Brewster County and Medina County.

The TWDB further made note of Choke Canyon Reservoir storage levels, which have been drastically reduced due to years of drought. The reservoir is an important water supply for South Texas, but its storage level never fully recovered after the 2011-2015 statewide drought. Recently, the levels dropped to less than 80,000 acre-feet of water, marking the first time it reached that low point since it was first filled in 1987.