Stage 3 drought restrictions are likely to be lifted in Corpus Christi this week as lake levels continue to rise past the 30% mark.
As of Aug. 3, the combined capacity of Corpus Christi’s main water supplies, Choke Canyon Reservoir and Lake Corpus Christi, had reached 34.3% over the weekend, according to city data.
That reflects 24.9% capacity in the reservoir and 58.4% in the lake, the data shows.
Corpus Christi has been under Stage 3 drought restrictions since the combined capacity dipped below 20% in December 2024. Among the most notable of restrictions is a total ban on lawn watering.
Stage 3 drought restrictions do not end until a formal declaration by city officials, but a declaration is likely to be made in the next few days.
The city would
still be under certain drought restrictions.
In Stage 2 drought, lawns may be watered one day every other week.
Scaling back restrictions will be the result of massive flooding of upstream waters that feed into the reservoir and lake.
Stage 2 drought was declared in March 2024, when the lake levels dropped below 30%, and transitioned to Stage 3 eight months later.
Under the city’s Drought Contingency Plan, Stage 2 restrictions cannot be lifted until the combined capacity of the lakes rises higher than 40%.
Kirsten Crow covers city government and water news. Have a story idea? Contact her at kirsten.crow@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi nears lifting of Stage 3 drought restrictions
