Watershed areas for Hulah and Copan lakes in Southeast Kansas are experiencing moderate drought conditions following a hot, dry period. Despite the rating, water supply for the City of Bartlesville remains in the normal range as the area heads in to cooler months with more anticipated rainfall. View additional Drought Monitor Maps.
After experiencing the second worst drought for the area in recorded history, City leaders and local residents alike are keeping an eye on water supply levels as Oklahoma moves out of its historically driest months of the year.
Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said Monday that levels are at 82.7 percent for weighted water supply, which takes into account which sources the City of Bartlesville draws most heavily from (Hulah Lake). Overall supply, a simple average of all four of the City’s water supply sources, is currently 85.1 percent.
While a watchful eye isn’t completely unwarranted due to drought conditions affecting watershed areas for Hulah and Copan lakes, two of the City’s four water supply sources, the fall months are more likely to produce rainfall in those areas than not, Lauritsen said.
“The rain on Christmas Day 2023 began a wet cycle for our region for the next five to six months and our water supply was replenished following a very long drought,” Lauritsen said. “Since late June, our region has experienced a dry cycle, and our lake watersheds are back under a drought designation. So while our weighted water supply is on the low side of our normal range, it’s not overly concerning since we typically experience several good rains in October and November.”
Lauritsen said a drier than expected winter and spring could result in supply dropping below 75 percent, which could trigger outdoor watering restrictions being implemented next spring.
“Hopefully it won’t come to that, but it is always a possibility,” he said. “We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation and will keep the public informed of any changes that occur.”
Stats
Current levels at the City’s water supply sources:
Hulah – 79.9%
Copan – 84.6%
Hudson – 91.3%
Caney River – 100%
Overall water remaining – 85.1%
Weighted water supply based on water right – 82.7%
Average consumption last week was 6.90 million gallons per day (mgd), which is slightly higher than is typical for this time of year, Lauritsen said.
“This is about 1 mgd higher than we typically run in early October, but it has been hot and dry for an extended period,” he said. “We would expect this to go down fairly significantly as we head into the cooler months.”