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Andrews City Lake Almost Dried Up

The Andrews City Lake is now at one of its lowest levels in the city's history. The residents want to take action but officials say it is not possible.
by Kristen Lowe
NewsWest 9

ANDREWS - Jessie and Natalie Garcia have been going to Andrews City Lake for years now.

"We like to sit here and feed the ducks and everything," Natalie said.

But they're worried that won't be possible for much longer because the lake is evaporating right before their eyes.

"It's sad," Jessi said. "The fish don't have any water to swim around in."

The sight of the lake is shocking. More than half of it is completely dry.

"I've never seen it this low in the 10 years that I've been here," City Manager, Glen Hackler, said.

Hackler said he has been fielding calls from concerned residents. They're looking for ways to refill the lake. But Hackler said with such a severe drought, it's just not possible.

"It would be unthinkable for us to consider using city groundwater (to fill it)," he said. "Even if we could do it."

The seven-acre lake holds more than 100 million gallons of water. It's usually filled by storm water runoff and it's prevented nearby homes from flooding several times.

Hackler said they city has been forced to turn a bad situation into a good opportunity.

"We've been able to have county crews come in here and dig the lake even deeper," he said. "So when it does rain, it will avert any future flooding."

But until the waiting game ends, there is the threat that this focal point in Andrews could dry up completely.

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