Is Stage 3 Curtailment Helpful/Needed?

Lake Lavon, Lake Jim Chapman Water Levels
Before/After Summers 2003-2006

Summer-like weather typically begins in late May and extends into early September in North Texas. Readings from May 15 and September 15 of each year from Corps of Engineers Website:
http://155.84.70.101/reports2.htm

May 15
Sept. 15
Drop for Period

2003

Chapman
439.61
437.26
-2.35 ft.

Lavon
490.98
487.49
-3.49

2004

Chapman
434.29
431.62
-2.67

Lavon
489.54
489.96
+ .42

2005

Chapman
437.89
432.89
-5.00

Lavon
491.76
486.02
-5.74

2006 (Only
year of Stage 3 Curtailment)

Chapman
431.42
424.78
-6.64

Lavon
483.79
476.13
-7.66*

To Check Current Lake Levels:

(http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/fish.htm)

Percentage of Conservation Pool Filled

May 15
Sept. 15
Drop for Period

2005

Chapman
86 percent
57 percent
29 percent

Lavon
99 percent
74 percent
25 percent

2006

Chapman
50 percent
23 percent
27 percent

Lavon
65 percent
39 percent
26 percent

Is there any clear-cut proof that Stage 3 actually conserves water? Not according to these official figures.

The bigger question that is being asked is why NTMWD continues to enforce Stage 3 when its own drought plan from the official NTMWD Website clearly does not support it. Note that many of the larger cities served by NTMWD have modified the Stage 3 restrictions to allow twice-a-week watering. Others contend that NTMWD should do the same for all of its customers.