What is it?
When the pipeline stops in the spring, Lake Hatcher becomes a giant ticking clock. The water remaining must last the entire summer.
The Problem: In drought years, the math doesn't add up.
The Demand: Water usage spikes in the summer, primarily due to outdoor watering.
The Quality Crisis: Much of Lake Hatcher is shallow. As levels drop, the water heats up and loses oxygen. This leads to taste and odor issues that require expensive chemical treatments to fix.