Water restrictions likely for Lawton if no rain

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) -- If no rain falls in the days ahead, outdoor watering restrictions are likely in in southwestern Oklahoma.

Starting Thursday, a change made by the Lawton City Council goes into effect regarding how city staffers determine how water may be used during drought conditions.

The Lawton Constitution reports the elevation of Lake Lawtonka had been the sole factor in determining whether water restrictions would be requested.

The new policy takes into account the levels of all three city lakes, Lawtonka, Ellsworth and Waurika. The levels determine whether the city puts in place voluntary or mandatory water restrictions.

At last calculation, the three city lakes and their combined usable water capacity was less than 56 percent, qualifying Lawton mandatory outdoor watering restrictions.