Recent Rains Push O.H. Ivie Reservoir Near Half Full

O.H. Ivie Reservoir southeast of Ballinger has received a significant boost from last week’s widespread rains. According to Water Data for Texas, the reservoir is now nearly 49 percent full, up several percentage points from earlier this spring. The lake has a conservation capacity of more than 554-thousand acre-feet and serves as a major water source for communities across West Texas through the Colorado River Municipal Water District. O.H. Ivie was built in 1990 and at one point during the severe drought of the 2010s fell below 20 percent capacity. While the reservoir remains well below its conservation pool elevation, the recent rise is welcome news for municipal water supplies and area recreation.   Historical records show the reservoir has been near or at full conservation capacity during wetter periods. In 2017, state reservoir data listed O.H. Ivie at more than 87 percent full following major rainfall events.