Rain raises lakes above drought level

The weekend rains contributed to what became a very wet spring in Wichita Falls and North Texas and raised the lakes above the drought level.

The combined level of the city’s two primary reservoirs, Lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo, rose 4% last week to 67.7%.

This is above the 65% mark that triggers restrictions on water use. However, the city said restrictions on the use of Drought Observatory Stage 1 will remain in effect until the City Council acts to lift them.

As of Monday, Lake Arrowhead was 67.3% full and Lake Kickapoo was 68.7% full.

Lake Kemp, which also supplies water to the city, reached 84.9% capacity on Monday.

Rain on Sunday added 0.79 inches to the total, which now stands at 16.61 inches for the year. The normal for this date is 8.63 inches.

The area will receive sunshine until Wednesday night, when thunderstorms return to the forecast.

This article originally appeared in the Wichita Falls Times Record News: Rain raises lakes above drought level