City to Authorize Pumping South Pool

The June 19th San Angelo City Council meeting has the following agenda item, intended to keep water flowing through Twin Buttes Equalization Channel (pictured above):

Consideration of authorizing the notice to proceed to Gajeske, Inc. (RFP WU-02-12, Lake Pumping System) for the pumping of water from the South Pool of Twin Buttes Reservoir to the North Pool

The pumps and equipment Gajeske specified can drain the South Pool's 4,600 acre feet in 60 days.

Governor Perry spoke at Gajeske in 2010 about strengthening taxpayer protections.  San Angelo tax dollars will pay for:

Gajeske. The system consists of three 5,667 gpm pumps powered by
275 hp diesel engines. The suction and discharge piping is 18” and each pump has independent piping. The fuel consumption for each engine is estimated to be 5 gph. The system has the lowest overall estimated cost for two months of operation at $270,154.

This item was in the April 3rd consent agenda.  Councilman Paul Alexander stated the South Pool would refill rapidly under medium rains.  Five months of above average rainfall failed to materially impact Twin Buttes lake levels.  That includes both the North and South Pools.

Rumor has the city wanting to cut off access to the South Pool.  That was City Manager Tom Adams' vision, spoken to me directly.  I've not heard that from existing leadership, so the rumor should be viewed as just that.

Pumping the South Pool dry is not a rumor.