Dallas ends drought restrictions after rainfall fills Aaron Mercer Reservoir

Bill Poehler, Salem Statesman Journal
·1 min read
Dallas is considering replacing the aging Mercer Dam to allow for more water storage capacity for the city.
Dallas is considering replacing the aging Mercer Dam to allow for more water storage capacity for the city.

Dallas ended its water conservation measures Friday after six weeks, saying that the rain in recent weeks has brought enough water to fill Aaron Mercer Reservoir.

The city placed residents on the first stage of measures Aug. 29.

Dallas gets its water from Rickreall Creek, and it is impounded at Mercer Dam. The city has targeted the earthen dam for replacement with a taller concrete dam at an estimated cost of $70 million. The taller dam would allow for the storage of more water for the city.

Dallas said it had been reducing watering lawns at parks and schools, asking customers to reduce use, requiring restaurants to only offer water when customers asked and motels to post notices of drought conditions in each room.

Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Dallas ends drought restrictions after rainfall