Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel, I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card, I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Sat., July 23 Lions Club Bake Sale
Starts 8:00 a.m. Speedy Stop

Sun., July 24 Eggrolls & Rice Sale
11:00 a.m. St. Patrick Church in Seadrift

Fri., July 29 Youth Rally
6:30 p.m. King Fisher Beach, Port O’Connor

Mon., Aug. 1 Republican Party Meeting
6:00 p.m. First National Bank Meeting Room, Hwy 35, PtLvca

Tues., Aug. 2 Bunco
7:00 p.m. Back room of POC Community Center

Tues., Aug. 2 Seadrift City Council
7:00 p.m. Seadrift City Hall

Tues., Aug. 2 The Country Opry
7:00 p.m. The Heritage Center (Dinner at 6:00)

Thurs., Aug. 4 Port O’Connor Service Club
10:00 a.m. Back room of POC Community Center

Thurs., Aug. 4 Waterfowl Hunting Regulations Workshop
6:30-8:00 p.m. Bauer Exhibit Building, Co. Rd. 101, Port Lavaca

Sat., Aug. 5 POCIFT PARADE
8:00 p.m. Steets of Port O’Connor (ending at beach)

Mon., Aug. 8 Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce
7:00 p.m. MUD Office, 39 Denman Drive

Tues., Aug. 9 Conservative Club
11:15 a.m. The Heritage Center, 2104 W. Austin, Port Lavaca

Fri., Aug. 12 Roll-off Bin for POC MUD customers use
8:00 – 4:00 16th & Harrison, Port O’Connor

SEGUIN – Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) officials are urging citizens in its 10-county statutory district, which includes Caldwell, Calhoun, Comal, DeWitt, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendal, Refugio and Victoria counties, to conserve water and comply with drought management measures implemented by local municipalities.

The water conservation plea comes amidst the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent declaration of 213 of Texas’ 254 counties as a natural disaster area as a result of the extreme drought conditions the state has faced since at least January.

Also contributing to the request for conservation are low flows throughout the basin. On July 10, 2011, United States Geological Survey (USGS) gauges read 1.4 cubic feet per second (cfs) for the inflow at Spring Branch into Canyon Reservoir. The median inflow at Spring Branch is 161 cfs. Flows at San Marcos Springs were down to 107 cfs (median flow is 164 cfs) and Comal Springs flows were down to 175 cfs (median flow is 308 cfs).

One bright spot is Canyon Reservoir with an elevation at 903.95 mean sea level (msl), which is 90% full, provides firm yield to water supply system customers. Canyon Reservoir is operated by GBRA for water supply and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood protection. The reservoir is refilled with flood flows and does not provide a constant elevation.

GBRA officials imposed Stage 2 restrictions on June 8 for residents who live along its Hydroelectric Lakes. The critical period applies to any diverter of water other than contracted stored water that diverts and uses water from any of the GBRA Hydroelectric Lakes ― Lake Dunlap (Comal and Guadalupe counties, Lake McQueeney (Guadalupe County), Lake Placid (Guadalupe County), Lake Nolte (Guadalupe County), H4 or Lake Gonzales and H5 or Lake Wood (both in Gonzales County). Stage 3 restrictions could be imposed if the average 24-hour spring flow rate at Comal Springs flows at or below 150 cfs.

On the lower end of the basin, the drought has similarly affected river flow. The gauge at Victoria read 260 cfs (median flow is 1010 cfs), triggering Stage 2 restrictions for the City of Victoria. Stage 2 enacts mandatory water restrictions on Victoria residents and limits landscape irrigation and other water uses. The flow into the San Antonio Bay and Estuary is around 400 cfs.

Other areas within GBRA’s statutory district, such as Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch in Kendall County, have implemented and begun to enforce water restrictions. Several of the monitoring wells in the Trinity Aquifer are at historical low levels.

When flows drop below 150 cfs at Comal and 100 cfs at San Marcos, endangered species, including the Fountain Darter and the San Marcos Gambusia technically are in “jeopardy.” In addition to protecting endangered species, spring flows are important to water rights and even water supply in the Guadalupe and San Marcos rivers – a supply that is used by cities, industries and agricultural producers.

Prolonged high temperatures, at least 18 days of 100-plus degree temperatures recorded in some Central Texas locations during the month of June, and lack of rainfall are contributing to the declining water levels throughout the Guadalupe River Basin and the Edwards Aquifer.

The level of the Edwards Aquifer J-17 well was 644.4 on July 10. The Edwards Aquifer Authority triggers Stage 2 Critical Period at 650 msl, which demands 30 percent restrictions for aquifer users in Bexar, Medina and parts of Atascosa, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Calwell counties. Stage 3 Critical Period is triggered when J-17 reaches 640.

The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933 as a water conservation and reclamation district. GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its 10-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun, and Refugio counties.

GBRA officials urge all individuals to conserve water throughout the summer months and suggest the following indoor and outdoor conservation tips:

Check local papers, radio or TV stations for drought restrictions.

If vehicles must be washed, do so in a grassy area instead of a driveway.

Report individuals or businesses suspected of water misuse to local utility officials.

Install low-flow shower heads and sink aerators. These items can be purchased inexpensively at local hardware stores.

Use dye tablets or food coloring to check for leaks in toilet bowls/tanks.

Make sure sprinkler heads face lawn and garden areas and have not shifted toward sidewalks and driveways.

Turn off water faucets while brushing teeth or shaving.