Texas Drought: Lake Somerville the low down

2011 Texas drought taking it's toll on the water supply and everything that depends on it.

Wednesday September 7, 2011 I tagged along with TPWD fisheries technicians Bill Johnson and Mike Gore as they surveyed Lake Somerville looking for non-native vegetation like that which have plagued many East Texas lakes and waterways. My purpose for the day was to document the effects the drought is having on the lake, wildlife and landscape around the area. Its a good thing we had the air-boat because most of the shoreline is too shallow for a regular prop motor boat.

With predictions suggesting the drought will most likely continue, poor little old Lake Somerville is gonna disappear. The next two foot drop will probably double the exposed shoreline, put most of Overlook marina on dry ground and prompt the closing of the remaining boat ramps making access very difficult. Those of us who don't mind dragging a canoe or kayak down the shore will have the lake to ourselves if this drought continues much longer.

One good thing about this drought affecting the lake is it provides opportunity for repairs to the boat ramps and shoreline erosion control projects. Along those same lines you might have noticed many ranchers and farmers bulldozing out their stock tanks, lakes and ponds making use of the dry conditions while praying for rain all the while.

One of two things needs to happen, either the rains return and we get back to near normal or we learn to live in a desert.
"Exurb" by Gurdonark
http://ccmixter.org/files/gurdonark/20064
is licensed under a Creative Commons license:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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• wildfires
• drought
• texas
• aggies
• fishtales
• bastrop
• state
• park
• somerville
• yegua
• bass
• bream
• fishing
• stripers
• hybrids
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[wbtedrick]

As of February 3, 2012 Lake Somerville is on the rise at 229.65 (8.35 ft below pool) up nearly 2 feet from the record low level. Winter rains have helped bringing relief to farmers and ranchers pastures and winter crops. We still have a very long way to "normal" but this is how it starts. Ending a drought is kind of like getting an education.. the better part of neither comes all at once like a flood, but in little showers spread over time enough to appreciate and absorb it.

[wbtedrick]

Relief comes in many ways and one of them is to learn how to be water smart. Long range forecast call for more of this dry weather so we will have to adjust our way of thinking to that of the desert dweller.

[wbtedrick]

To all the viewers: This is what the Internet is really good for, it can connect people in ways like never before.  When the rains return this video will be just a view back into history and it's usefulness will diminish but for now it is important information to many people and it is a honor to bring it to you. Thanks

[wbtedrick]

Last year they closed Rocky Creek park for renovations and this year it's Yegua creek park. My guess is that they are making improvements to camps sites and infrastructure like bathrooms ,boat ramps and roads.

[mrteemumilto]

lol.

[shykitten1]

Wow Ive been going to Lake Somerville my whole life, as long as i can remember, and i didn't even recognize the lake at all!!! Especially where my family & I will put our boat!!! I Miss the lake!!! WE NEED RAIN here in Texas!!!!

[jamieschultea]

This is so sad..Even with the little rain that we have gotten so far, it isn't enough. All we can is hope & Pray for rain and having all the lakes filled back up. God please help us with rain..

[jendrake77065]

My family frequently visits welch park. On the opposite side of a boat ramp, there was a cove, but it's now closed off completely by land. We need the rain to pay The lake a visit so we can come ski again!

[TeamHighLifeHunting]

Thanks for posting, keep praying for rain no doubt.

[singlemomsurvives]

My mom lives on Lake Somerville in Apache Hills and this is where I grew up fishing and tubing in the summer. This is my happy place. This is my "back home". Listening to my moms updates on the phone, I live in Chicago now, don't do the justice this video does. This is so sad but thank you so much for sharing. Please find me on Twitter if you're on there @SnglMomSurvives

-Jamie