E.V. Spence Reservoir, the big lake on the Colorado River just west of Robert Lee, held only about 9.3 percent of its capacity at the end of October 2026. Water level trackers put the lake near 1,842 feet, roughly 56 feet below conservation pool, with about 48,240 acre feet in storage. For ranches across Coke County, from Bronte to Silver, that number frames the winter. Lee, Lee & Puckitt, which opened its first office in Bronte in 1962, looks at what low lake levels and a short rain year mean for landowners.
A Dry Year by the Numbers
AgSist rainfall data shows Coke County at about 15.29 inches of rain for 2026 through Oct. 25, or about 79 percent of normal for the date. The week before that brought no measurable rain. Friday’s National Weather Service forecast carried a near 100 percent chance of showers, and any soaking rain this fall would be welcome. Still, one storm rarely moves a reservoir as large as Spence, which needs sustained runoff from the upper Colorado River watershed.
What Low Lake Levels Mean on the Ranch
Spence is a municipal and regional supply, not a stock water source for most ranches. But a lake that low is a good signal of how the watershed is doing. Dirt tanks across the county catch the same rain and the same runoff. Practical steps for the coming months:
- Check every stock tank and note which ones are likely to go dry first.
- Look at wells, windmills and solar pumps now, before you need them.
- Plan grazing so the pastures with dependable water carry livestock through winter.
- Watch stocking rates and supplemental feed costs together.
Water Adds Value
On a Coke County ranch, dependable water is often worth more than any other improvement. Buyers ask about well depth and output, tank condition, pipelines and troughs. Owners who keep good records of their water, including which tanks held through dry years, can show it to buyers when the time comes.
Coke County Land
Coke County sits about 30 miles north of San Angelo, with rolling ranch country, cedar breaks and good deer and turkey habitat. Hunting and grazing value go hand in hand here, and both depend on water.
Grazing Through a Dry Winter
Many Coke County operators trim numbers in fall rather than buy hay all winter, and the Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo gives them a nearby market. Those who hold on often lean on protein supplement and rotate livestock toward pastures with the best water. Either way, a written drought plan with clear trigger dates makes those calls easier when rain stays short.
Talk With a Local Ranch Broker
Lee, Lee & Puckitt has known Coke County since the day it opened its doors in Bronte. To talk about buying or selling land here, call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How full is E.V. Spence Reservoir? About 9.3 percent full near the end of October 2026, roughly 56 feet below conservation pool, according to lake level trackers.
How much rain has Coke County had in 2026? About 15.29 inches through Oct. 25, about 79 percent of normal, according to AgSist rainfall data.
Do ranchers in Coke County depend on Spence for stock water? Most rely on wells and dirt tanks, but Spence’s level reflects how dry the watershed has been.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt opened in Bronte in 1962 and moved to San Angelo in 1977. The firm’s partners ranch themselves, and the company sells ranches and provides appraisals across Texas and New Mexico.
Sources
- Lakesonline and Texas lake level trackers, E.V. Spence Reservoir water level, Oct. 30, 2026
- AgSist, “How Much Rain Has Coke County, Texas, Had in 2026?” through Oct. 25, 2026
- National Weather Service San Angelo, Coke County zone forecast, Oct. 30, 2026
- Related: West Texas listings, About us
Photo: Jstuby at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EV_Spence_Reservoir_TX.jpg). Cropped.
