Oklahoma City pumps water from Canton Lake to Lake Hefner as drought persists

Oklahoma City is pumping 16,000 acre-feet of water from Canton Lake to Lake Hefner, which is nine feet below full, as drought conditions continue to impact reservoir levels.

Chris Browning, Oklahoma City Utilities director, said the city had hoped for rain to replenish reservoirs, but it didn’t come.

“We were hoping for rain, and it didn’t come,” Browning said.

The dry summer has caused reservoir levels to drop as Oklahoma City works to serve its more than 1.5 million customers. Lake Hefner, one of the most visual examples of the drought’s impact, has been down nine feet since the spring.

WATCH: Oklahoma City plan to release water from Canton Lake amid drought concerns draws controversy

“We’re trying to balance the lake. We’re trying to be fair. Both lakes should be about five feet down when we’re down,” Browning said.

While the city works to balance the lakes, officials are asking the public to help conserve water.

“Water is a shared resource. And the choices that we make, it helps us take that water supply for future use,” said Kelsey Whorton, Oklahoma City Utilities water conservation specialist.

WATCH: Flash drought leads to significant water level drops in central Oklahoma

The city has implemented a permanent odd-even watering schedule and is encouraging residents to check sprinkler systems for leaks and learn about other conservation methods through city programs.

“We want to be able to stretch our water supply as far as we possibly can. So we take it very seriously,” Browning said.

The city said the water released from Canton Lake on Thursday is expected to begin arriving at Lake Hefner on Monday.