Photo: Lake Hefer’s water level sits at an all-time low after two years of drought in Oklahoma. (Credit: Madi Alexander)
By Ally Hansen, Staff Writer
The drought that has hung over Oklahoma for the past two and a half years shows no sign of letting up.
The drought, which started in October 2010, has escalated, forcing Oklahoma City to take drastic action. Last month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released 30,000 acre-feet of water from Canton Lake to replenish Lake Hefner, Oklahoma City’s source of water.
Brittany Bisel, mass communications senior, is from Okeene, Okla., located about 20 miles from Canton. Bisel grew up going to Canton Lake.
Although the lake used to be a great location for fishing and swimming, today it is far below its usual waterline.
“Canton Lake, for Canton, was never meant to supply drinking water,” Bisel said. “While Canton Lake has always been a source for Hefner, it has never come to this level.”
Many people of Canton base their livelihood around farming and have been hit hard by the drought.
Bisel says that the state should have started conserving water years ago to help prevent the current hardships.
“Unless we get something like a flood, [Canton Lake] will probably not recover,” Bisel said. “You wonder if the community will ever recover or if Canton will cease to exist.”
Everyone in Canton feels the effects of the drought.
The lack of moisture in the soil damages concrete slab building formations, causing problems for homeowners.
The dry weather increases the possibility of wildfire. Wildlife and agriculture have also been impacted – decreased production has led to increased importation and higher costs.
Until the drought passes, a lack of water is the new norm.
“Our society has become content with wasting water,” said Seth Adams, music/pre-law sophomore. “It is so cheap and accessible that we take it for granted, and now we are seeing the start of a water problem.”
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