The Rise and Fall of Lavon Lake's Water Levels

When drought conditions and sustained growth collide, water becomes an important issue for everyone living and working here. Spring and summer rains eased those worries somewhat, even opening speculation that the area's drought was over and done with. While the North Texas Municipal Water District lifted mandatory watering restrictions in July 2007, officials their cautioned residents in the district to keep track of restrictions and conservation measures from their respective cities. But the cautionary tale of a 2-year drought's effect on Lavon Lake is something Collin county residents need to keep in mind.

We asked our Geographic Information Systems staff to come up with a way to illustrate the effect of drought conditions on Lavon Lake, the county's main surface water supply. What resulted was an animated series of satellite photos -- spread over 15 months -- that tracked a growing shoreline and lower water levels from summer 2005 through fall 2006.

For more information on local watering restrictions in your town, check out our city links page on the topic. Also, the NTMWD's web page posts information on current conditions and future plans for water delivery to your area. For Lavon Lake levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers current and historical data on lake levels. For more maps of Collin County, please visit our GIS pages.

To find watering restrictions in your area, visit the Outdoor Watering Restrictions section of our website for a list of local links.

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