Texas and Oklahoma Drought Devastation Deepens

As many of you know, I have written several times about the severe drought that Texas, Oklahoma, and surrounding states are experiencing.  At the writing of this post, Canton lake near Canton, Oklahoma is being drained and emptied of most of it's water.

This lake has been a part of my life as long as I can remember.  In fact my grandfather and uncle actually helped to build this lake. My parents live near there and many many happy days for my family have been spent at Canton Lake.  Much of that may end and it is a sad time for me and for the community of Canton, Oklahoma.

Canton depends on visitors to the lake for much of it's economy The city hosts a walleye rodeo every year in May. It is uncertain if that will happen this year or even if the walleye will survive this since the majority of the water is being drained.

Please understand that I am pro people.  I believe that the lives of people outweigh nature, but I also believe that conservation is important.  Many of us have been surprised at the length of the drought and early on we did not conserve water as well as we should have because we truly believed the rain would come.  I found out just how much water our family had been wasting when we changed out our old toilets (3 of them) for new ones.  Our water bill dropped from $127 a month to $27.  That got  my attention.  If only we had changed them sooner.  It doesn't really help much to lament what we did or didn't do but you can bet that I am looking around for other places that I can save water.  Many people are attaching hoses to their washers in order to use the gray water on their trees. Some are putting buckets in the shower with them to water their plants with.  I know this seems extreme, but we are in extreme times. I even use the leftovers from our drinks to water my plants with.  I am also looking at a more efficient way to water my chickens since they tend to dump over their water quite often.

b

Notice the buoys laying on the sand.  This is what used to be the end of the swimming area that separated it from the rest of the lake.

I love Oklahoma City.  Much of my life has also included this city.  I do not wish them harm and I do not suggest that the water from Canton Lake be withheld from them.  I just want to feel that the sacrifice of a small community that I love so much is for the noble purpose of quenching the thirst of a people rather than the watering of lawns.  When the drought is this serious then we should be serious about conserving the water.  We should be concerned and sorrowful at the cost to this smaller community.  Please Oklahoma City, I am asking that the water rationing be much more serious than has been done thus far.

Prairie Dog Town located near Canton Lake

I am also asking that the world but especially those living in these states, please intercede for our states before the Lord.  Ultimately that is the answer to all of these problems. The drought is not only affecting our water supply but also of all nature.  There are animals as well as vegetation dying everywhere because of the lack of water.  This will affect the entire world in the cost of food.  Crops and meat come from these states.  Less crops and less livestock means higher cost to everyone. Lawns can be replaced easily but the animals, the 100 year old trees...those are much harder to replace. Please pray!  "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sins and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15. This is as true today as when it was first given.  Please, it is time for us to repent, fast, pray, and seek Him.  That is the ultimate answer to all of these problems.

Until Next Time

Debbie