Supply still optimal; no restrictions in foreseeable future
Water supply numbers are down somewhat from last week, but it’s not because of drought or over-consumption. Though levels are still optimal at Hulah Lake, a decline from last week is reflected in the numbers this week after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released water from the lake to prevent flooding possibilities, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said Monday.
“We expected to see the numbers drop due to the Corps releasing heavily out of Hulah Lake to remove water from the flood control portion of the lake,” Lauritsen said. “On Tuesday, the Corps will reduce the release out of Hulah to conserve the water within the lake.”
Lauritsen said the good news is that Copan Lake levels are continuing to trend upwards.
“This marks three weeks in a row of increasing storage at Copan,” he said.
Overall water remaining is currently at 65.7 percent, compared to last week’s 70.2 percent.
“This number is influenced heavily by Copan Lake,” Lauritsen said. “All other remaining water sources are normal for this time of year.”
Weighted water supply based on water right, which more accurately reflects the water available to the City of Bartlesville, is at 107 percent, compared to last week’s 121 percent, prior to the release by the USACOE.
Average consumption last week was 6.18 million gallons per day (mgd).
“Our consumption numbers are up because of actions we all took to keep pipes from freezing, as well as service line and water main breaks that occurred last week,” Lauritsen said. “Forecasted temperatures this week are closer to normal ranges, so we anticipate this consumption will return to normal levels.”
No water restrictions are in effect at this time.
For more information, see Water 101.