UPDATE: Wed 28 Sep 2011: Lowest since 1978

Lake Texoma's level dropped to 609.95 at 4p.m. on Wednesday, September 28. This is the lowest level on the big lake since 1978, or 33 years ago.

The lake level has dropped a total of more than six feet since late May with no significant rainfall expected through October 6th.

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 BULLETIN: Lake Texoma is at its lowest level since 1979.

The lake reached this benchmark on Wednesday, September 7 when it dropped to 610.56’ above sea level, bringing it to the lowest level in 32 years.

Lake Texoma dropped about 1/2 inch per day in June and July and fell about an inch per day from early August to September 5th. This doesn’t sound like much, but the lake has shed more than five feet since its peak of the year on June 5^th, and dropped 2 feet in August alone.

Levels were falling more slowly since Sep. 5th as power generation has been discontinued for the time being. Losses through evaporation and draw-down from local water use will continue.

Some other Lake Texoma statistics:

• The record high level was measured during the spring 1990 flood at 644.76’. This was 4 ¾ feet above the spillway elevation of 640.0 feet.
• The lowest level ever recorded was 599.94’ on March 20, 1957.
• The last time a lower level was recorded on Lake Texoma than this year was in 1979 when a minimum of 609.96 occurred. We could be lower than that within two weeks if we don't get significant rainfall.
  
• A reading of 610.75’ recorded in February 2004 was the previous post-1979 low level, now surpassed by 2011’s drought.
• The flood control level varies throughout the year, but the “normal” level is considered 617.0 above sea level.

The table below documents the lake’s decline since the spring rains ended:

**maximum observed level in 2011.

Special thanks to Tom McGrath and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff at Denison Dam for providing updated, more complete water level records.

Take Care,

Steve LaNore

Chief Meteorologist

KXII-TV