Story Created:
Aug 30, 2011 at 10:10 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Aug 30, 2011 at 10:10 PM EDT
Eight animal and plant species found nowhere but Texas may need rescuing from the state's largest springs if the blistering drought continues to diminish stream flows.
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Eight animal and plant species found nowhere but Texas may need rescuing from the state's largest springs if the blistering drought continues to diminish stream flows.
The state's second worst drought has wildlife officials readying plans to evacuate some endangered fish, amphibians, invertebrates and a plant species from San Marcos Springs and Comal Springs in south central Texas.
San Marcos Springs has never gone dry but Comal Springs did in 1956, during the state's worst drought.
Samples of the tiny creatures might have to be netted up and taken to a hatchery for preservation if water levels drop by more than another 50 percent, after similar reductions in recent months.
Only 9.6 inches of rain has fallen on average across Texas this year, slightly more than half the normal amount.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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