Let's Attack Invasive Species

San Angelo always in a near drought situation. The Twin Buttes dams where completed in 1963 however severe drought conditions prevailed in  the Twin Buttes Dam watershed from 1963 to April 1971.

 

From  April to August 1971 above normal rains broke the drought and brought substantial inflow into the Twin Buttes Reservoirs.

 

Since the construction of the Twin Buttes Reservoir the Bureau of Reclamation lands have become heavily infested with invasive plant species. Saltcedar, Mesquite and Willow Baccharis have replaced native gasses and other native plant species..

 

These non-native invasive plants absorb water a more rapid rate than native grasses and plants. The invasive plants adjacent to the lakes, rivers and streams deplete the groundwater at a rapid rate thus lowering the level of the water table. This lowering of the water table causes the ground to absorb water faster than normal greatly reduces the amount of water that reaches the reservoirs.

 

San Angelo city government must deal with the problem of eradicating invasive plant species which have invaded the watersheds of our reservoirs. Eradicating the invasive plant species in not inexpensive and must be realized as a continuous process of maintenance. The scientists of the Upper Colorado River Authority have provided  numerous investigative reports and recommendations to San Angelo City Council. It is time for San Angelo City Council to read these reports and act on the recommendations.