The Wichita City Council narrowly passed an amendment to the drought response plan ordinance. It passed 4-3. The ordinance lets the city manager take multiple factors into consideration when determining the drought stage. Right now, it is based on the 12-month average water level at Cheney Reservoir. The amendment widens the criteria to include weather trends and water demands. Before Tuesday, water restrictions would kick in when water levels were below 70% at Cheney Lake. At the start of last month, our 12-month average was right at 70.1%. After Tuesday’s vote, the city manager decides whether to implement Stage 2 drought restrictions, considering Cheney Lake water levels. However, Cheney residents in the area say they want stricter restrictions faster. Seeing Cheney low is a rare sight. “The lowest I’ve seen the lake was in 2013 when it was eight feet low, so I would hate to see it get that low again,” said Cheney Lake Association President Jon Lovett. Those living by the lake are limited in what they can do in the water this summer. Conditions are only getting worse.
Source: KSN-TV
