Years of drought and lower water levels at Medina Lake in Texas have prompted a Medina County proposal to redirect irrigation water to farmers, aiming to leave more water in the lake.
Here's what to know
According to News 4 San Antonio, the proposal comes after years of drought and declining water levels at Medina Lake near Mico, Texas.
Under the idea being developed by a local group, farmers would draw irrigation water from newly drilled groundwater wells instead of taking it from the lake. By reducing the amount sent out through the existing irrigation network, supporters hope to leave more water in the lake.
Mike Sarosdy, who has owned property near Medina Lake for two decades, said the problem hits close to home because he has watched the lake go dry twice in that time.
The plan aims to balance the needs of farmers who depend on irrigation with the concerns of residents who want the lake to remain viable.
More background
Sarosdy said one reason Medina Lake struggles to bounce back is its small watershed, which limits how quickly it can refill.
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Another challenge is the area's irrigation system, which dates back more than a century and continues to put pressure on the water supply during drought.
Together, the limited watershed and the outdated irrigation system have contributed to the lake's ongoing decline.
Keeping more water in Medina Lake could ease some of the disruption that drought and outdated infrastructure have caused for nearby families.
What's being done?
The proposal centers on switching irrigation sources. That change wouldn't eliminate every water problem in the area, but it would reduce the lake's draw by shifting irrigation use to a different source.
Backers are still in the proposal phase and want to present the idea to Texas lawmakers.
On the proposal's prospects, Sarosdy said he feels cautiously optimistic.
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