Area Lake Levels Lower than Normal

EAST TEXAS — East Texas has experienced drought and recent rainfall this past week, and reports say lake levels across the state sit below normal. Some lakes in East Texas hit their record low. KETK spoke to licensed fishing guide Jim Beggerly at Jim’s Fishing; he says lake levels are at historic lows for this time of year. But the news isn’t all bad. “One of the bright spots is our own Lake Palestine. Lake Palestine has recovered quite well from the drought of 2010-2011 and is now up close to normal pool,” said Beggerly.

Beggerly says at this time the lake level at Lake Fork remains 3 feet low, Lake Tyler is 2 feet low, and Lake Palestine has a normal pool averaging close to 3 feet low. Levels have gradually recovered. Beggerly says the normal fluctuation range is about 2 1/2 feet. Tyler fisherman Stephen Sheppard says, “Last year my sister and them — their lake lot was about so far down they couldn’t even get their boat in the lake, so this year is better.” Beggerly cautions that the lower levels can make it dangerous for fishermen and boaters. “Now you’ve got stumps that are now near the water level just under the surface, stumps that are dangerous,” says Beggerly.