Since October 2010 the Texas Panhandle has been involved in a severe drought that has damaged the area’s productivity and been detrimental to the already weakening economy.
The Panhandle is a steppe, which is semiarid grassland that receives 15 to 20 inches of rainfall per year on average. Amarillo broke that normal in 2010 with 26.54 inches, but is sadly far from it this year. From January to August of 2011 Amarillo only received 2.66 inches; a whole 9.9 percent of what we had in the previous year. This has been, as can be guessed, very damaging to the area.
Hay prices throughout the area have greatly increased due to the lack of water supply. This is quite a problem for the many livestock owners that live in and around Amarillo. What could once be bought for a decent price is now being skyrocketed into hundreds of dollars. Not only is a good price hard to find, but quality is also a big problem. If the price is worth it, then most likely the hay is not up to par.
The city is currently using up to 58.50 million gallons of water daily opposed to the 58.30 million used last year. With the water source not being as continually replenished as normal, the possibility of limited water being available looms over Amarillo. In response to this possibility, the city has created some voluntary water conservation procedures. These regulations include such things like not watering on windy days, watering lawns between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am with the cycle ending at 6 am, not watering on Sundays, and a few others. At this point, these regulations are suggestions for those who wish to participate, but if the current weather situation continues, these guidelines could become mandatory.
Amarillo and the surrounding area have quite a few farmers who need water to make a living. Their crops, and in turn their livelihood, rest on the amount of water that the plants receive. Many farmers are being pushed out of a business that generations of their family have participated in because they aren’t able to completely care for their crops and consequentially provide for their family.
Another issue that arises as the lack of water endures is that wild animals are unable to find sustenance and are evacuating their native wilderness habitats to move into residential areas. Muleshoe, Texas, which is about 2 hours southwest of Amarillo, has had many confirmed sightings of mountain lions within city limits. In fact, the first spotting was on a residential street. These wild animals pose a huge risk to citizens and are implementing their daily lives. But the reason that these animals moved to the city isn’t because they are vicious, man eating creatures, but because it was a necessity. Even in Amarillo animals are relocating to more populated areas that they normally would avoid.
World Geography teacher Jan Weston said she had two roadrunners that she was hand feeding off her back porch. The roadrunner is normally a shy, reserved creature and they avoid human contact most of the time. This is why it’s so surprising that Mrs. Weston was able to feed them from her hand. Also, in Bushland a kindergartener was bitten by a rattlesnake on the playground while out on the soccer field at recess. While Bushland is a more rural area, the superintendent says they still haven’t had a snake bite in years.
As the drought continues we should take caution. Use water sparingly and not unnecessarily, as well as remember that the intense climate is driving animals out of their habitats and be extremely cautious especially when we are in their natural home.
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