Lewisville Lake fell to 81% of its conservation capacity Nov. 1 as dry weather continued across Denton County, putting renewed attention on water conservation in Flower Mound and Highland Village.

The reservoir is one of three major sources supplying the Upper Trinity Regional Water District. Ray Roberts Lake stood at 93.4% and Chapman Lake at 63.1% on the same date, according to the district’s reservoir update.

Denton recorded 14.91 inches of rain through October, compared with a normal 30.13 inches for that period, meteorologist Brad Barton wrote in the Cross Timbers Gazette. That puts the reported total at just under half of normal.

October offered limited relief. Denton Enterprise Airport measured 1.12 inches, well below the month’s normal 4.17 inches. Most of that rain arrived during the first four days.

Heat persisted, too. Barton reported five October days with temperatures reaching at least 90 degrees, including a high of 94 on Oct. 13.

Flower Mound’s existing watering restrictions remain in place under its Long-Term Water Conservation Plan. Automatic irrigation and hose-end sprinklers are limited to two days a week: Tuesdays and Fridays for even-numbered addresses, and Wednesdays and Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses.

Those watering methods are prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Hand watering and drip irrigation are among the exceptions allowed at any time.

The town says restrictions could tighten if drought, storage or pumping conditions trigger its Emergency Water Demand Management Plan.

Flower Mound purchases water from Upper Trinity and Dallas Water Utilities. According to the town’s utility rates page, wholesale water charges account for 58% of its Utility Fund budget, and supplier charges and rates have increased 49% since 2015.

Winter could bring better conditions. NOAA’s Oct. 15 outlook says a very strong El Niño favors wetter-than-average weather across the southern United States from December through February.

The forecast offers a possibility of relief, rather than a guarantee that North Texas reservoirs will refill.

Residents can check watering schedules and updates on Flower Mound’s conservation page.