FortBendNow.com

Fort Bend County faces a third straight week of highs above 95 degrees, and by Thursday, forecasters say, the high may hit a record 103.

The hot, dry weather has caused the Brazos River water level to drop, to the point that officials are preparing to release water from upstream lakes to assure an adequate water supply.

Fort Bend now is experiencing mild drought, according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, but a block of counties immediately to the west already are facing extreme drought.

For about the past two weeks, Fort Bend has seen daytime highs of 96 degrees or above, and virtually no rain in most parts of the county.

For the coming week, the forecast is even worse, calling for a high of 100 or above Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and also no rain. A similar forecast is predicted through at least Sunday.

The unseasonably hot, dry weather is apparent on county rivers, as both the San Bernard and the Brazos are extremely shallow.

“A lack of spring rains has taken its toll on the Brazos River basin this year, causing the stream flow in the lower Brazos River to hit record lows,” the Brazos River Authority said in a statement.

At Richmond, the Brazos River’s maximum depth was just above 8.5 feet early Monday, and the San Bernard was just above 6 feet at East Bernard.

The Brazos River Authority and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have decided to start releasing water from upstream reservoirs due to the heat wave. “These releases are made to provide water to meet downstream water supply needs” and “to help maintain the health of the river ecosystem,” said authority Water Services Manager David Wheelock.

At some of those reservoirs, such as Whitney and Georgetown lakes, the water level is low enough to cause boating hazards from exposed rocks or stumps.