Lake Arlington Water Level Benefits from Recent Rainfall
By Reginald Lewis - Office of Communication
Posted on May 15, 2015, May 15, 2015

Articles-Water

Water levels at Lake Arlington have exceeded 100 percent capacity, thanks to recent storms in the area. According to the Tarrant County Water District (TRWD), system capacity has returned to approximately 95 percent.

The significant rainfall has enabled the TRWD to end Stage 1 drought restrictions, which were instituted in June 2013.

So, how will this impact Arlington residents?

"Water use optimization is always the City of Arlington's top priority," said Director of Water Utilities Buzz Pishkur. "During our period in Stage 1 water restrictions, people were able to maintain shrubs and greenery throughout the city, so we encourage residents to continue the twice-a-week watering schedule to ensure an increased supply in the future."

Three of the district's primary water supply reservoirs, Eagle Mountain, Cedar Creek and Richland-Chambers, are at or above conservation level for the first time in years.

Lake Bridgeport, which had been more than 24 feet low just a couple of months ago, has risen nearly 10 feet in the last couple of weeks.

In addition, the district's terminal storage reservoirs, Arlington, Benbrook and Lake Worth, are also full.

"Even with rain in the forecast for most of next week, there is minimal concern that Lake Arlington's level would rise to a level of concern," said Assistant Director of Water Utilities Craig Cummings. "Our personnel monitor the lake level 24/7 and will respond to issues well in advance of a serious situation."

The Lake Arlington Dam has an emergency spillway, which water flows through when the water in the lake is at 10 feet above its normal full level . The Water Utilities Department has an emergency action plan for the dam if water levels were to rise to the level where the emergency spillway would be used.

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