Drought Dries Up Business In Mineral Wells
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The drought has forced Betty South, who lives on the shore of Lake Palo Pinto, to change her habits starting with her water meter.
"I check it every week just to know where I'm at," South said as she lifted the metal lid on the ground to look at the meter "Can I take a shower tonight? Can I do a couple of loads of wash?"
Lake Palo Pinto has only 10 percent of its normal water. Mandatory water restrictions mean homes can only use 5,000 gallons a month.
South used to enjoy visitors at her home. But not anymore
"No one can shower," she explained. "I can't run the dishwasher. I do one load of wash in the washing machine. Literally I shower maybe twice a week and that's it. It's heartbreaking. It's scary. I never thought I'd see this."
At the deepest part of the lake near the dam water marks on the pillars show just how far the water has dropped, several stories worth.
Towns like Mineral Wells are blending river water with the lake water to stretch reserves.
No water means no tourism at the lake. The business dried up with the lake. "It's dead. Its a ghost town. It's a ghost lake!" South exclaimed.
"It's going to take a lot of rain. But I'm in it for the long haul. I love it up here," Brown said.
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