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July 7, 2005
Is the Drought Over?
Writer: Steve Byrns, (325) 653-4576,
s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Mike Mecke, (432) 336-8585,
m-mecke@tamu.edu
FORT STOCKTON – One or two good years have dropped the word "drought"
from many Texans' vocabularies. But is the drought really over? A Texas
Cooperative Extension water expert here says no.
Mike Mecke, is a drought pro. He is Extension's water management
program specialist for far West Texas, one of the driest regions in the
nation. He's also a native Texan who grew up during the infamous 1950s
drought. Fifteen years as a Natural Resources Conservation Service range
conservationist in Texas, and later experience as a rangeland manager on
Arizona and New Mexico Indian reservations, taught him valuable lessons on
drought preparations.
"Most of Texas has been blessed with ample rains for the past 20
months," Mecke said. "But the question remains, is this drought really
over and how does the current situation rank with the 1950s drought?
"It's a little too early to tell. One good year, or even two, does not
necessarily break a drought. Records show the ‘50s drought in Texas
started in the southern Hill Country and San Antonio areas as early as
1948, and didn't end until the fall of 1957.
"I was an aggie freshman in Texas A&M University's Corps of Cadets when
the drought broke," Mecke said. "It rained so much that fall I thought the
only clothes I needed were a helmet and a raincoat. But, boy, it was
wonderful to see the world turn green again."
Mecke said even during the 1950s drought there were periods of almost
normal rainfall--similar to what Texans are enjoying now.
"Some of our key lakes in the western half of Texas are pretty full now
and in good shape," he said. "Others have recovered to varying degrees,
but still are a long way from being full. We've had a lot of rain in far
West Texas, so why aren't the lakes out here running over? It seems
strange they are not, until you realize all their watersheds are still in
a long-term drought condition.
"We've made progress, but water-catching native grasses and forbs are
greatly reduced or gone, soils are dry many feet below the surface and
streambanks (riparian areas) are dry as well. Aquifers and shallow
groundwater areas have really suffered during this drought. It will take
several good years of rainfall before springs will recharge and flow
consistently."
Mecke said vegetation must recover before rainfall can become
effective. Creeks and rivers have suffered for so long that many waterways
have gone dry.
In good times creek banks absorb water much like a sponge, he said.
This "sponge" supports tree growth and other vegetation when creek flow
stops for brief intervals.
"These riparian areas remain dry over much of Texas," Mecke said. "It
will take a long time to refill these natural sponges. You know how hard
it is to build up your bank account. Well, riparian banks and underground
aquifer recharge areas work the same way – seems like slow coming in and
fast going out!"
Mecke said along with ample rainfall, recovering from a longstanding
drought takes time, patience and smart management by the land manager.
"Ranchers should consider holding off restocking drought-damaged ranges
and check with their local Extension or Natural Resources Conservation
Service offices for advice and technical assistance before buying those
high-priced cows," Mecke said. "From a range management point of view, it
may be wise to start back with stockers and only keep them briefly until
pastures re-vegetate with good quality forage plants.
"In the meantime, emphasize your wildlife income and harvest more doe
deer. Ranchers need to remember that they are actually grass farmers and
livestock and wildlife are their harvesting tools."
Mecke said the better condition a rancher's rangelands are, the more
profitable their ranching enterprises will be and the more effective their
watersheds will be.
"Drought or not, water conservation is the name of the game," Mecke
said. "In fact, with Texas expected to double its population by 2050, we
will probably always be in a water-conserving mode. If we're not in a
drought now, we must not forget that the next one is just around the
corner. We need to be prepared for it not only in our rangeland and
farming management, but also in our communities and personal lives as
well."
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