1. Drought in Texas Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

2. Drought of Record
The drought of Record occurred during the early 1950’s and lasted approximately six years

3. 2011
2011 was the worst one-year drought period dating back to 1895

4. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NASA Terra MODIS
August 29, 2010
MODIS telemetry received and processed by the MAGIC DBRS Center for Space Research, University of Texas Austin

5. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NASA Terra MODIS
August 29, 2011
MODIS telemetry received and processed by the MAGIC DBRS Center for Space Research, University of Texas Austin

6. Texas Division of Emergency Management
The Drought Preparedness Council was authorized and established by the 76th legislature (HB- 2660) in 1999, subsequent to the establishment of the Drought Monitoring and Response Committee (75th legislature, SB-1).
Established the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management as the state drought manager.
Held the council responsible for the following
Assessing and public reporting of drought monitoring and water supply conditions
Advising the governor on significant drought conditions
Recommending specific provisions for a drought related response
Advise regional water planning groups on drought related issues
Ensuring effective communication amount state local and federal agencies
Reporting to the Legislature (Drought Biennial Report)

7. Drought Preparedness Council Agencies
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Texas A&M Forest Service
Texas Department of Transportation
Texas Department of Economic Development
Rep from the Texas Groundwater management association
Public Utility Commission
Electric Reliability Council of Texas

8. Crisis Management
Focus has shifted to the prevention of cities running out of water
Texas Agencies have adapted to meet the crisis
Federal agencies have been apprised of the problem

9. Emergency Drinking Water Task Force
Created under Annex A of the State of Texas Drought Hazard Annex
Consists of the following agencies
Texas Division of Emergency Management
Texas Commission of Environmental Quality
Texas Water Development Board
Texas Department of Agriculture

10. 2011
The Emergency Drinking Water Task Force (Task Force) was created in October 2011 to assist public water systems impacted by persistent drought conditions.
The major goal of the Task Force is to assist these water systems in extending their current source of water or obtaining an alternate source of water (new wells, extend surface water intakes or interconnections with adjacent water systems).

11. Task Force
The Task Force meets weekly to discuss the status of public water systems that may have less than 180 days of water remaining.
Assist with identifying water related projects and funding options.
Coordination with local and district emergency managers to raise situational awareness.

12. Task Force
Conduct on-site technical assistance visits to facilitate drought related solutions.

13. Task Force
Discuss treatment options for water projects and the approval process.
Provide funding information for grants and low interest loans.
Discuss state assistance capabilities when a water system can no longer produce drinking water.

14. Task Force
The most important benefit is weekly communication between partner agencies and a clear understanding of their functions and capabilities.

15. Task Force

16. White River Lake

17. White River Lake

18. Millers Creek Reservoir

19. Questions? Alexander Hinz, TCEQ, (512) 239-4720
Mario Chapa, TDEM, (512)