WATER CONSERVATION
There are no water rationing restrictions currently in place.
We are outside the city limits, but it is encouraged that we follow the city’s recommendations of the following:
Level 1 drought : Voluntary water rationing
Level 2 drought : Mandatory water rationing. Watering is based upon matching the even and odd house numbers with the even and odd days.
WATER PUMPS
Current: There are no water pumps running at this time.
History: There are 6 well pumps total. They will not raise the water level, but are used to slow the decrease in the level of the lake.
SHORELINE STABILAZATION
Shoreline stabilization is critical for the health of a small lake surrounded by yards. During the 60 yrs since the original survey of this lake, some yards have lost 10 to 15 ft. of yard frontage to the lake. Experts from the State Parks and Wildlife Dept. and professors from TAMU who have inspected this lake have stated that bulkheading is not the solution. The literal zone extending from the shoreline to 10-15 ft. into the lake provides nutrients and shelter to the majority of creatures in the lake. A buffer zone of the proper vegetation or the placement of a porous plastic film covered with graded rocks which then can be covered with vegetation can greatly reduce runoff and erosion. The latter method (rip-rap) can be observed at lot 24.
LAKE WATER QUALITY
The lake water quality is checked about every two yrs. Six samples taken from the center of the lake at 3 locations are tested for fecal coliform levels. The last results ranged from 65 to 0 colony forming units/100 cc. These results are well below the level of 200 CFUs considered hazardous. The levels have remained low during the last 32 yrs of testing. Water clarity of 30-40″ depth is good. The chemical conditions are within a range considered excellent for fish growth. (alkalinity-35ppm, hardness-50ppm., pH 8.0).
LAKE WATERSHED–SURROUNDING LAWNS AND DITCHES.
The Lake Comm. attempts to maintain a constant level at 17ft. (guage at lake entrance, Lake Rd.). Sources: 6 deep wells, Harris Reservoir, and rainfall. The Assoc. has been issued a State License permitting water out-takes from Harris Reservoir (Brazos River). Kelton Thomson ch. of the Lake Comm., manages the water levels.
The health of the lake depends heavily on it’s watershed which includes the lakeside yards of over 50 homes together with the roadside yards and ditches of about 10 of these lots. The drainage from these areas adds nutrients (e.g. nitrates and phosphates) plus silt to the lake. Most of the nutrients come from chemical fertilizers on lawns and gardens, and from malfunctioning and under-designed septic systems. Lakes will ultimately respond
to the conditions of their watershed.