History of Drought in Texas

1822: Stephen F. Austin’s first American settlers to Texas suffer from drought. Their corn crop dies from lack of moisture. 1870 – First recorded drought 1885 – 1870 - Another drought hits Texas

1908-1912 – The next severe drought in Texas. One citizen C.W. Post tries 23 times and spends four years and $50,000 to use explosives to cause rain. In 1914 he dies believing that he could still “shoot up a rain” whenever there was a drought. 1917-1925 – The government passes drought laws to help people buy feed and seed and start irrigation canals on the High Plains. 1924-1925 – Another Texas drought

1925-1929 - The Brazos River Conservation and Reclamation District is created for the purpose of developing and managing water resources. Although, trouble around the corner with the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. 1933-1935 – The next drought

1934-1935 - The great Dust Bowl hits Amarillo – Sandstorms for three months and visibility decreases to 0 Blackouts last 11 hours and some storms rage for 3 1/2 days Drought lasts until 1940.

1950-1957 - The worst drought in Texas recorded history. Lawn watering restrictions are enforced in Dallas for the first time President Eisenhower proclaims all but 10 of the 254 counties drought disaster areas. 1961-1967 – Next Texas drought

1965 -  Dust storm hits Lubbock wind gusts up to 75 mph and dust as high as 31,000 feet. rain gauge at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock - 3 inches of fine sand and visibility was reduced to 100 yards. 1970-1971 The next Texas drought

1984-1985: Water conservation (saving water) becomes a new term in Texas. It is recognized as being more economical than trying to create more water resources. 1988-1990 – Next drought

1999-2002: Another drought arrives. 1999 - 16 fatalities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the airport reported 26 consecutive days of 100°F or greater temperatures 2000 - D/FW - 10-day average of 103.3 degrees in the summer - 34 die because of heat in the state 2001 - Rio Grande ceases flowing into the Gulf - hundreds of millions of dollars worth of crops are lost in the South Plains

2010 – present - Current drought 2010 – 2011 – rainfall averaged just over eleven inches, making it the driest year in Texas history Agricultural losses are estimated at $5.2 billion and counting

2015-2065: The state’s population is projected to grow from 25 2015-2065: The state’s population is projected to grow from 25.1 million now to 46.3 million in fifty years. The water demand at that point is estimated to be twenty percent over our current demand.

Solutions of the Past The Jumano used irrigation ditches to channel the water from the nearest surface water to their crops.

Drought Resistant Crops Drought resistant crops such as cotton have been grown in traditionally dry/arid parts of Texas because these crops require less water and thrive in a dry climate.

Windmill The windmill was powered by the wind and pumped water from under the ground. This greatly increased farming and ranching in West Texas where before they had to depend only on surface water or a rare rain shower.

Drip Irrigation Techniques such as drip irrigation were used after the tragedy known as the Dust Bowl. This technique conserves water dripping water right at the base of the plant.

Dams/Reservoirs The only natural lake in Texas is Caddo Lake. It didn’t take long before the Texas and U.S. governments realized that Texas would have to have more lakes to provide for the growing population.

Water Towers As more and more Texans moved to urban areas in the 20th century, water needs would have to be met. Water treatment plants were built to ensure clean water for all Texans including holding tanks. This also kept water from evaporating in lakes.

Rotation days for watering lawns In recent years water restrictions (2 or 3 days a week) have been placed on urban Texans who waste huge amounts of water watering their lawns.

Your turn What needs to happen to meet the growing population needs for the future? Ways to create more available water? More water conservation? Both?