City's Pumping Setup at South Pool

Below is a slide show of pictures taken of the pumps and piping at Twin Buttes Reservoir's South Pool.  Click the forward arrow at the bottom of the slide set to see the pictures.  Don't forget the city's assumptions for the transfer and projected savings, no water loss and pumping during low evaporation time of year.  Missed it by that much...    San Angelo’s Draining of South Pool at Twin

Pumping Just Days Away

The City plans to commence emptying the South Pool starting August 1.  Water will once again flow through the Equalization Channel to the North Pool, courtesy of several large pumps.

The pad is next to the public access area for the South Pool.  It remains to be seen how loud the pumps are.  The City said it would maintain access to the South Pool during pumping.  The schedule approximates a regular workday, with the public having to leave around 5:00 or 6:00 pm.  That was the city's position several weeks ago. 

The pictures are from July 21 when I sailed a light air longboard and a 7.5 square meter Naish sail.  I doubt I get much workweek time on the water, but hope to chronicle the draining of the South Pool on weekends. 

South Pool Pumping Weeks Away

The pad for Gajeske's pumps sits next to the only public access to the South Pool.  I wonder how loud the pumps will be when operating?  A path has been cut to pipe the water.

Water will be pumped to the boat ramp in the Equalization Channel.

Once it starts on August 1, half of the Equalization Channel will have a flowing stream.

The City's assumptions of saving on evaporation by combining the two pools and no seepage look highly suspect. 

This may soon be a fond memory:

Pray for Councilman Alexander's medium rain that will refill the South Pool overnight.

South Pool Pumping to Start August 1

The City of San Angelo will begin emptying the South Pool at Twin Buttes on August 1.  The picture above shows where the city will house pumps, at least that's my assumption.  It differs from a prior plan shown to Council:

I can see why the city didn't want to build a road base to the location indicated above.  It appears they will pipe the water to the area around the Equalization Channel's boat ramp. 

I took pictures the morning of July 4th, when I windsurfed the South Pool and got some great rides on a 6.6 sail and 130 liter shortboard.  The pump location next to the public area raised concerns about access to the South Pool after August 1, so I e-mailed Carl White. Parks Director for the City.  Carl got back to me quickly, which I appreciate:

The (South) pool will be open during the day even after the pumping starts, which will be 1 August. The public will have access to the South Pool during the day. The pool will be closed during the evenings. I got the understanding that the pool would be closed by the contractor after their work was complete for the day around 5-6 pm.

That cuts out weekday windsurfing after work, but at least I can get weekend access.

I'll take pictures to show the progress.

Annual Trashing of Twin Buttes Nears

The trashing of Twin Buttes Reservoir ramps up around July 4th.  With hot,dry conditions and the North Pool plummeting toward record lows, it would be ironic if our dwindling water supplies were needed to put out a fireworks ignited brush fire.  But that is possible given fireworks are allowed outside city limits.  Tom Green County has a burn ban, but no fireworks ban. 

City leaders are aware of the danger and designated two areas for fireworks use. 

The designated areas are Twin Buttes Marina Park Road off of U.S. Highway 67 and both sides of the Equalization Channel at the north side of the South Pool and the south side of the North Pool. City officials are urging residents to put their trash in the dumpsters that will be set up in designated areas. Littering is subject to fines. The City manages Twin Buttes, which is owned by the federal Bureau of
Reclamation.

How successful will the city be in encouraging behavior change?  My hope is very.

South Pool Takes Two Months to Pump Empty

San Angelo City Council will consider asking Gajeske Inc., the winning bidder, to start pumping water from the South Pool of Twin Buttes into the North Pool.  The picture above and below were taken at the South Pool today.

Water continues flowing through the Equalization Channel, as can be seen below:

Two months after pumping commences, without any runoff, the South Pool may be a mere puddle.  Pray for rain.

Update 6-19-12:  City Council approved emptying the South Pool with pumping starting August 1.  With no rain the South Pool should be gone by October 1.

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.