Before the late-month rain, much of the Panhandle sat in severe to exceptional drought, rated D2 to D4 on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Michael Kittinger, the meteorologist in charge at the Weather Service in Amarillo, said some of the worst conditions in Texas are in the Panhandle. "The rainfall is definitely a benefit," he said. Much of the region remains in drought anyway.
Lake Meredith is a key water source for communities served by the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority. Runoff can improve water quality, said Chad Pernell, the authority's deputy general manager. "When we get runoff events like this, the chloride level drops," he said.
Right now the authority pulls about 80% of its water from wellfields and 20% from the lake. That mix could change. If chlorides keep falling, the authority can blend more lake water with groundwater, and Pernell said, "We might be able to pump a little more out of the lake." The lake stood at 78.14 feet and 44.2% full on Wednesday, Oct. 7. More showers are possible in October, which could add runoff and lift the level further.
Even after all that rain, the lake sits below last year's 47.9% mark at this time.