Engineer: no drastic action needed for water rationing in Guthrie

The current drought conditions and low water levels across the state have caused some cities to incorporate water restrictions, but those restrictions do not appear will not be implemented at this time for Guthrie.

In a recent workshop, engineer Bill Myers told members if there was not any runoff (rain) and the Cottonwood (creek) went dry, Guthrie would be able to survive a year with resources from both Guthrie Lake and Liberty Lake.

“There is no drastic action needed right now as far as rationing,” Myers suggested.

With the most recent rainfall (.47 of an inch) in the past 10 days, the City of Guthrie has pumped 1600 and 1800 gallons per minute each week from the Cottonwood pump station. Prior to the rainfall, the average pumped from the creek was 800 g.p.m.

If the creek becomes to low, crews then can pump more water from either one of the lakes.

At any time the City Manager determines the city’s water supply is unable to supply the full commercial and domestic needs, including adequate fire protection, can require either a Stage One or Stage Two Emergency.

In both stages, the city manager could require watering restrictions.

Oklahoma City and Norman are the latest cities to initiate water restrictions. With Oklahoma City implementing restrictions it also affects the towns that purchase water from the capital city including, Blanchard, Edmond, El Reno, Moore, Mustang, Newcastle, Norman, Piedmont, Yukon, Canadian County Rural Water District #3, the Deer Creek Rural Water Corporation, Tinker Air Force Base and Pottawatomie County Rural Water District #3.