1950-57 Texas drought = Reservoirs built, rural flight.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

http://www.texasmonthly.com/2012-07-01/feature.php

The above link is to this month's Texas Monthly magazine's cover article on "Water = Life" in Texas.

There is a text page to read, and on that page is a 4 minute, 20 second preview of the radio piece
about Texas droughts, and related water issues.

Just above the bar where you can start the short radio preview is a "here" link. Hit that one and you can
hear the whole 59 minute radio piece. There are many older Texans interviewed about how bad the drought was.
Although I can't remember all the towns they represent, there are multiple references to San Angelo and Winters.

The 1950-57 Texas drought was the worst on record, killing livestock and forcing many Texan ranchers and
farmers to give up their vocations and move to the cities.

Currently Texas has about 23 million folks. It is estimated that by 2050, only 38 years from now, that Texas will
be home to 50 million people.

El Paso is going to be home to the Kay Bailey Hutchison desalination plant. That was news to me, living where I do.

Water is an important question in our state, so I thought I would provide this thread as an FYI to all y'all.

SIA

[RPB]

http://www.texasmonthly.com/2012-07-01/feature.php

The above link is to this month's Texas Monthly magazine's cover article on "Water = Life" in Texas.

There is a text page to read, and on that page is a 4 minute, 20 second preview of the radio piece
about Texas droughts, and related water issues.

Just above the bar where you can start the short radio preview is a "here" link. Hit that one and you can
hear the whole 59 minute radio piece. There are many older Texans interviewed about how bad the drought was.
Although I can't remember all the towns they represent, there are multiple references to San Angelo and Winters.

The 1950-57 Texas drought was the worst on record, killing livestock and forcing many Texan ranchers and
farmers to give up their vocations and move to the cities.

Currently Texas has about 23 million folks. It is estimated that by 2050, only 38 years from now, that Texas will
be home to 50 million people.

El Paso is going to be home to the Kay Bailey Hutchison desalination plant. That was news to me, living where I do.

Water is an important question in our state, so I thought I would provide this thread as an FYI to all y'all.

SIA

Thanks SIA,

Australia does Desalination of ocean water ... So, first thought was: El Paso is doing it since they are "conveniently located right there on the ocean" I smell politics ...

So I looked further ...

The amount of brackish water in the Hueco Bolson exceeds the amount of potable water by approximately 600%. The brackish water contains more salt than is allowed in drinking water, but significantly less than ocean water.
http://www.epwu.org/water/desal_info.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[74novaman]

My grandfather started farming in the late 1940s in Hale County (panhandle north of Lubbock).

He passed away last year, I wish I had asked him about a lot of things. It would have been interesting to know how the drought in the 50's affected his farming.

Here's a map of how the drought was looking in 1956 if anyone is interested. He would have been in an "extreme drought" area.

[Rex B]

So global warming is retroactive now?

[Heartland Patriot]

So global warming is retroactive now?

Peasant, how dare you speak ill of the mighty words of the Great Gore-acle! Go and buy 100 carbon credits to cleanse yourself...

[surprise_i'm_armed]

RPB - Thank you for the link shedding more light on the El Paso desalination plant. The "politics" part
may be the naming of the site for a current sitting US Senator. But it does seem to be a worthwhile project
since it will provide both the City of El Paso residents, as well as Fort Bliss. Didn't Fort Bliss come out a winner
in the Base Realignment re-shuffle, which means more military folks moving in?

74novaman - Thank you for providing the colorful graphic above, which more clearly shows just how bad
the drought was.

Note to all: In the 59 minute radio piece above, it was noted that President Eisenhower visited Texas (San Angelo?)
in 1957. Right after he made his visit, the rains started, ending the drought. Now that's a Republican getting something done!

SIA

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Just to throw out a little food for thought:

In pre-history days, it appears that around the world, major population centers have ceased to exist where they
originally were. Archaeologists believe that drought conditions forced the humans to move to areas that had more
water.

IIRC, the North Texas water authorities (I don't know the exact name of this outfit) have been negotiating with Oklahoma
to buy Okie water to keep the DFW Metroplex going. But the Okies are giving Texas some kickback on this.

Although Texas has had many good qualities to attract more businesses and residents, what do you think would happen
in 2050? The Lone Star would have 50 million folks to hydrate. But if the Red, Colorado, Trinity, Pecos, Brazos, and Frio
were to slow to a trickle, we could face an outmigration of population.

In that case, the exodus of folks to water-rich states would favor Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and NYS.

There has been "blue sky" speculation in some circles about piping water down from the Great Lakes to the arid Southwest.
That is rejected by the Great Lakes states.

Just as a little aside, here's a mnemonic device to remember the names of the 5 Great Lakes:
HOMES = Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.

SIA