(NTMWD - Special Release) Over the past decade, North Texas Municipal Water District’s water supplies have been seriously affected by three main factors: DENIED ACCESS to 28% of the total water supply; long–term DROUGHT; and GROWTH in the region served. The growth was a challenge but planned for as required by the state water planning process. Drought considerations were also part of contingency planning. It was the loss of Texoma water for five years; the last critical factor in the trifecta that brings us to today.
Since 2009, NTMWD had been denied access to 28% of its total raw water supply from Lake Texoma due to the presence of zebra mussels, an invasive species. This would be equivalent to the City of Dallas being denied access to more than Lake Ray Hubbard.
Being denied access to Lake Texoma water for almost five years, the NTMWD had to withdraw more supply from Lavon Lake. Additionally impacted by drought, Lavon Lake is now at only 50% capacity. If the zebra mussel issue had not occurred, and NTMWD had normal use of the Lake Texoma supply for the last five years, Lavon Lake would now be at 75% capacity and Stage 2 restrictions of twice per week watering would be in effect.