Water levels at Falcon Reservoir reaching historic lows
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Mud is visible at the shore of the Falcon International Reservoir.
It’s one of two reservoirs that provide water to the entire Rio Grande Valley, and water levels are approaching the lowest points ever seen in history.
Water levels at the lake are currently at 255 feet. In the same period last month, they were at 266 feet.
Zapata County judge Joe Rathmell says the decrease happened after water was sent to farmers on the Mexican side of the river for new irrigation.
Lower water levels means more work for the maintenance team at Falcon Lake State Park.
Maintenance supervisor Ricky Hernandez says she has to keep extending the fence that separates the park from the neighboring property.
Hernandez said his team has noticed fewer park visitors, compared to when the lake was higher.
“For them, they just have to keep finding spots where they can launch their boats, and it's just so low. They tear up their boat, they get stuck,” Hernandez said.
The receding water is also revealing ancient oyster beds that used to be underwater.
Watch the video above for the full story.
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