Texas Border Business
Zapata, TX –Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) released the following statement in regarding action to find short-term and long-term solutions to the dangerously low water levels at Falcon Lake:
“Right now, the low water levels at Falcon Lake are threatening the water supply for Zapata County and the surrounding areas,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The situation has already forced several local governments to implement their own drought contingency plans. We are urging residents to conserve water. In addition, I organized a meeting between county officials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, International Boundary and Water Commission, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to coordinate a response. We have devised short, mid, and long term steps to ensure our water supplies are secured—including securing federal funds to improve access to our current supplies. ”
Congressman Cuellar Continued: “We have discussed options such as installing additional emergency pumps and extending piping under the river’s edge. I will continue to work closely with local, state, and federal officials on addressing the crisis at Falcon Lake.”
Similar scenarios are developing across the country. The Colorado River, Lake Mead, and Lake Powell have been consistently dwindling for years. With Lake Mead nearing dead pool status as water levels hit another historic low.
The recent drought has only worsened the situation and has highlighted the need for an immediate solution.
Zapata Water Initiatives—August 1, 2022
- On Friday, July 22nd, Rep. Cuellar organized a meeting with county officials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to discuss short, medium, and long term solutions for improving water access at Falcon Lake.
- On Friday, July 29th, Rep. Cuellar spoke with the USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Xochitl Torres Small, about the low lake levels. They discussed solutions and funding opportunities provided by USDA.
Short Term
- The county is working with their engineering team to prepare their application to USDA’s Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program
- Funding can be used to relocate pumps to improve water intake, improve the area around current intake, or other supply measures
- The county plans to use funding to install a second emergency diesel pump.
- They are also working with USDA to find out if they can be reimbursed for emergency expenses they’ve already incurred to install the first diesel pump and create depth in the river.
- The grant provides up to $1 million in funding.
Medium Term
- County is exploring options to dig a well at the river’s edge and extend piping under the river’s edge.
- USDA’s Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program funds can be used for these projects.
Long Term
- County is looking at dredging Falcon Lake to improve water access and extend the life of the reservoir.
- This would be a substantial project to remove sedimentation from the bottom of the lake to increase the lake’s depth.
- It can also be funded through USDA’s Emergency Water Assistance Grant Program.
