According to the United States Drought Monitor for July 2, 0.2 percent of Texas is currently in some state of drought, which is a substantial improvement from years past.
“This time a year ago about 60 percent of the state was in some level of drought,” Bech Bruun, Chairman of the Texas Water Development Board said. “So certainly we are in much better shape as far as drought today than we were a year ago and even a month ago.”
Bruun said based on history and experience, Texas will fall into another drought in the near future.
“Texas has dealt with droughts for years and years,” Bruun said. “As a state we need to make sure we do everything we can to make sure we have the supplies we need for the future, whether it is times of plenty of rain or times of drought.”
According to the Texas Water Development Board, May was the wettest month on record for the state of Texas.
“While the storms were devastating, there were blessings that came from them, like the much needed relief that has come from out multi-year drought that has been devastating our state,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said. “Agriculture is the number one user of water in the state, and it is imperative that we work with municipalities, communities and other stakeholders to conserve and plan so that everyone’s water needs are met.”
The Texas Department of Agriculture has been working with the Texas Water Development Board on various conservation efforts, many which benefit farmers.
“We talk about developing new water supplies, but conservation is a huge part of that,” Bruun said. “Agricultural conservation is going to be a huge strategy moving forward to make sure that that industry can continue to operate as it does today.”
