The City of Amarillo has lifted stage 1 of its Drought Contingency Plan after water storage levels rebounded from a sharp drop during one of the hottest and driest summers in recent memory.
The change took effect Friday, ending the voluntary outdoor watering schedule that had been in place since Aug. 17.
According to the city, Amarillo’s water storage reservoir has recovered to more than 80% of capacity. The reservoir had fallen to approximately 52% in August, prompting the city to ask residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use.
City officials credited residents, businesses and several local and regional partners with helping reduce demand and restore reservoir levels.
“Residents and businesses responded when the city asked for voluntary conservation, and several organizations made meaningful operational changes to help reduce demand, and this helped lead to a significant recovery in water reservoir capacity,” Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper said. “This strong level of cooperation truly made a difference.”
Under Amarillo’s 2024 Drought Contingency Plan, Stage 1 can be implemented when the reservoir falls to approximately 60% of capacity because of demand or normal operating conditions. It can also be triggered when daily water demand reaches or exceeds approximately 70% of available production capacity for five consecutive days.
This summer put considerable pressure on the city's water system. Amarillo has recorded more than 38 days with temperatures above 100 degrees and received less than five inches of rain so far this year.
Several large water users adjusted their operations as part of the conservation effort, including Amarillo Independent School District, Canyon Independent School District, Amarillo College and the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department. Staff at the city’s four municipal golf courses also participated.
Regional cooperation played a role in the recovery as well.
The Canadian River Municipal Water Authority worked with Amarillo to manage high water demand across the Texas Panhandle. The City of Lubbock also shared portions of its CRMWA water allocation with Amarillo.
“The strong levels of cooperation from CRMWA and especially the city of Lubbock were instrumental in helping the city recover our reservoir levels,” City Manager Grayson Path said. “This was a community and regional effort that was hugely beneficial.”
Although Stage 1 has been lifted and the Drought Contingency Plan is no longer in effect, city officials are still asking residents and businesses to conserve water when possible.
