Residents in the San Antonio area have benefited from heavy rains in recent months that have returned many once-struggling lakes to their former glory. Yet while Canyon Lake boaters may rejoice, farmers out in West Texas have not had the same fortune.
Elephant Butte Lake, which receives its water from the Rio Grande, may be located in New Mexico, north of the city of Las Cruces, but for years it has stood as one of the key water sources for Texas farmers around El Paso, as well as residents within the city limits. Those same residents are now facing a limited water supply as Elephant Butte Lake sits at almost empty.
As of Friday, September 18, Elephant Butte Lake sits at 1.5%, one of its lowest water levels ever recorded. Located inside New Mexico’s largest state park, the lake was at one time a popular destination for kayaks, jet skis, pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, cruisers and houseboats, as well as many more lakeside activities. However with the lake recording a mean water level of 4,275.92 feet, all boat ramps are closed for the foreseeable future…