Birmingham, AL – The Birmingham Water Works' largest reservoir, Inland Lake, is full for the first time in nearly two years.
That means the Water Works will begin the summer season with both its reservoirs at full poll since Lake Purdy has been at 100 percent for more than a month.
Despite the water levels in the reservoirs, the area remains in Stage 1 drought conditions, and officials are asking customers to voluntarily cut back on water use.
In February, the Water Works began an aggressive program to allow Inland Lake to fill before the hot, dry summer months began. The utility closed the pipes at the large Blount County reservoir and began pumping water from two forks of the Black Warrior River basin.
That allowed the lake to fill in less than three months. It hit the full mark Monday.
Water Works spokeswoman Binnie Myles says the utility will began drawing from Inland Lake this week.
Hydrologists say the lakes, streams and surface soil will take years to fully recover from the drought if Birmingham continues to receive only normal rainfall.
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Information from: The Birmingham News
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