Highs Monday reached 88 degrees, making for a nice cool-down from the previous days, which averaged 103 degrees, according to WeatherUnderground.com.
Some much-needed rain snuck its way in Sunday and Monday, bringing totals for the month to about half an inch, the Web site reported in the Echo Village neighborhood in Temple.
Today holds a slight chance of more rain for Temple and surrounding areas, but highs will once again climb to the upper 90s and only get hotter as the week goes on, KCEN Chief Meteorologist Andy Andersen said.
“It will be hot and dry like we have seen in the last couple of weeks with winds at five to 10 mph,” he said.
Highs for the rest of the week are expected to reach 100 degrees or higher for at least the next five days with lows hovering around the mid 70s.
Due to drought conditions in Bell County, Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District, the entity responsible for managing groundwater in Bell County, noted that drought conditions are having adverse effects on recharge of the Northern Edwards Aquifer.
The Northern Edwards Aquifer mostly affects residents in the Salado area and in recent days, Salado Creek has failed to flow over the low water dam at Stagecoach Inn, a press release from Clearwater said.
“Based on the data we are seeing from our spring flow gauges, monitor wells and the Palmer Drought severity index, we are in a Stage 3 Drought, which is considered serious,” Clearwater Board President Horace Grace said. “Therefore, we are asking all owners in the Northern Edwards Aquifer to reduce their pumping by 30 percent on a voluntary basis.”
A meeting on July 20 will include adopting a Northern Edwards Aquifer drought management plan.
Some suggested measures for water reduction from Clearwater are:
n Wait five to seven days to water outside lawns, trees or shrubs.
n Only water between the hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and use only a hand-held hose.
n No washing outdoor surfaces except for safety needs or fire protection.
n No filling of ponds, lakes, tanks, reservoirs or swimming pools with a capacity more than 50,000 gallons.
Residents of West Temple, meanwhile, are reminded they are under a Stage 2 water conservation measure. Watering times are calculated to allow for outdoor water use and time needed to refill water tanks.
Residents in the areas of Eagle Oaks, Lakewood, Woodland Point Road, Arrowhead Point and Bonnie Lane/Terry Road Eagle may water on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Residents in Morgan’s Point Resort may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Residents in the area of Windmill Farms, Woodland Trail and Northcliffe may water on Mondays and Thursdays.
Temple residents may call 298-5611 with questions.
