The effects of the megadrought in the American Southwest are reaching into Texas.
Audrey McGlinchy reports for KUT that water levels have fallen enough to trigger water restrictions for the first time in three years.
“Austin gets its water from Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan,” reports McGlinchy. “Officials said Friday they expect water levels in these lakes to drop below 1.4 million acre-feet in the next several days. When that happens, the city enters what it calls ‘Stage 1’ of its Drought Contingency Plan.”
Restrictions include limiting the use of automatic irrigation systems to once a week, using hose-end sprinklers twice a week, and restaurant workers only serving water upon request.
Although Texas is neither one of the Colorado River Compact (1922) states, nor the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan (2019), drought conditions on the Upper Colorado River watershed are impacting the city’s reservoirs, according to the article.
FULL STORY: As lake levels drop, Austin tightens water restrictions for first time in years
More Need Than Ever for Drought Resilience on the Colorado River
The effects of climate change are already cutting deeply into the lifeblood of the U.S. West—the Colorado River.
Nevada Bans the Use of Colorado River Water for Ornamental Grass
AB 356 could be "the most aggressive municipal water conservation measure that's been taken in the western United States."
New Drought Contingencies Triggered for Upper Colorado River States
The latest Bureau of Reclamation report on water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead trigger new drought contingencies in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Keanu Reeves Set to Play Daniel Burnham in ‘The Devil in the White City’
Planning is going to get a new level of star power as a limited series adaptation of The Devil in the White City gets ready for television screens in 2024.
Opinion: Aging Population, Declining Fertility Requires Long-Term Investments
Faced with the dire consequences of a one-two punch of aging populations and declining birthrates, one writer has suggestions for how policy can help ensure a better future.
The Tide Has Turned Against Open Streets
Once a promising development for advocates pushing for a less car-centric future in cities, the open streets movement has ceded significant ground to cars since the height of the pandemic.
Jacksonville To Replace Monorail With Autonomous Shuttles
The city’s aging monorail system will be repurposed as part of an expanded 10-mile shuttle system.
Richmond Weighing How to End Parking Requirements
A series of town hall meetings will allow the public a chance to give feedback about zoning changes in Richmond, Virginia that would include the end of parking requirements.
Key Warehouse Centers Challenge Distribution Center Expansion
Communities near major e-commerce distribution centers are increasingly resisting new construction, citing air pollution and other public health impacts.
Brick & Story
City of Mt Shasta
McKenna
Cohousing Association of the US
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Rail~Volution
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
Town of Gilbert, Arizona
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
