Water supply sources for Bartlesville and the surrounding area are full despite increasingly dry conditions, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said this week.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Washington County is officially in a “moderate drought,” with some parts of Oklahoma at “severe drought” level. However, water supply for Bartlesville and its water customers remains at capacity, Lauritsen said.
“Hulah, Copan, and Hudson lakes are all full and the Caney River is flowing well,” Lauritsen said. “Of course, conditions can change pretty rapidly, which is something we monitor very closely, but at this point we are in fantastic shape.”
Bartlesville area residents will recall severe drought conditions in late 2023 and the first half of 2024 resulted in the City implementing restrictions on outdoor watering and taking other measures designed to preserve water supply for as long as possible.
“We are nowhere near that at this time,” Lauritsen said. “Our Drought Contingency Plan, or Water Shortage Ordinance, requires that we begin taking measures to alert the City Council and public and strongly encourage conservation when water supply dips below 80 percent full. Currently, all of the sources we utilize for water supply are 100 percent full.”
Other portions of Oklahoma are at “severe drought” level, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.