Coleman County’s burn ban has had a busy fall. After a summer ban, the county lifted it around the start of October, then put it back in place on Oct. 13. Meanwhile the county’s two main reservoirs tell different stories: Lake Coleman is holding up reasonably well, while Hords Creek Lake is lower than it was a year ago. Lee, Lee & Puckitt pulls these updates together for ranch owners around Coleman, Santa Anna, Novice, Burkett and Talpa.
The Burn Ban Back On
Texas A&M Forest Service records, as shown on the state burn ban map and tracking services that follow it, list Coleman County’s ban as reinstated on Oct. 13. The Coleman Chronicle reported in early October on the earlier ban, noting that cooking on wood grills and smokers was still allowed. Rules like that can vary from one order to the next, so landowners should check the current order before any outdoor burning or welding near dry grass.
A burn ban limits how ranchers can deal with brush piles, cedar debris and fence row cleanup. It does not stop the work entirely. Shredding, stacking for later and hauling off are all options while the ban is in place.
Reservoir Levels
Water Data for Texas, the Texas Water Development Board’s reservoir site, showed these levels on Oct. 31:
- Lake Coleman: about 77.5 percent full, roughly 5 feet below conservation pool. A year ago it was near 87.6 percent.
- Hords Creek Lake: about 44.7 percent full, close to 12 feet below conservation pool, down from about 58.6 percent a year ago.
Both lakes have slipped over the past year. Lake Coleman’s relatively strong level is good news for the city’s water supply, while the drop at Hords Creek shows how dry the western part of the county has been.
A Summer Gap and a Mid October Soaker
AgSist’s summary of NOAA data for the Hords Creek station showed about 18.3 inches for 2026 through Oct. 29, around 77 percent of normal. That station went 63 days without measurable rain from mid July to mid September. Its biggest single day of the year came on Oct. 16, with 1.86 inches. A gridded estimate averaged across the full county came in near normal for the year, a sign that the eastern side caught more rain than the station did.
Texas A&M AgriLife’s Oct. 27 crop and weather report for West Central Texas said wheat was being planted and stock tanks were still low and needed runoff. That fits what many Coleman County ranchers report: grass greened up after the October rain, but tanks have a long way to go.
Steps for Coleman County Landowners
- Follow the burn ban. Check the current order and any exceptions before burning.
- Walk your tanks. Note which ones caught water in mid October and which stayed low.
- Keep fire breaks clean. Mowed or disked strips along roads and around barns reduce risk while grass is dry.
- Plan winter grazing. Wheat and oats planted into October moisture can stretch hay supplies if they get another rain.
Coleman County Land and Water
Coleman County sits where the Rolling Plains meet the edge of the Hill Country, with farmland, mesquite pastures, live oak hills and deer, turkey and dove hunting. Buyers often ask about lake frontage, creek frontage and well output. Owners who can document how their water and fences held up through a dry summer give buyers and appraisers useful facts.
Call Our Office
Lee, Lee & Puckitt has worked with Coleman County families for decades. To talk about selling, buying or valuing a ranch, call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a burn ban in Coleman County? Yes. Texas A&M Forest Service records list the county’s burn ban as reinstated on Oct. 13, 2026. Check the county’s current order for details.
How full is Lake Coleman? About 77.5 percent on Oct. 31, 2026, according to Water Data for Texas. Hords Creek Lake was about 44.7 percent.
Who is a ranch broker serving Coleman County, Texas? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, based in San Angelo, handles ranch sales, buyer representation, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Coleman County.
How do I find the best ranch broker for land near Coleman? Look for a Broker who knows local water and wildlife, can show closed sales nearby and can support a price with appraisal experience. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has served Texas ranch owners since 1962.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt opened its doors in Bronte in 1962 and moved to San Angelo in 1977. Today the firm offers ranch and farm sales, appraisals, Broker’s Price Opinions and advocacy for landowners. Every partner has ranching in their background.
Sources
- Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban records for Coleman County, reinstated Oct. 13, 2026, via Burn Ban Radar: https://burnbanradar.com/tx/coleman/
- Coleman Chronicle, Oct. 1, 2026 issue: https://www.colemanchronicle.com/issues/2026-10-01/pages/1/
- Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, Lake Coleman, Oct. 31, 2026: https://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/coleman
- Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, Hords Creek Lake, Oct. 31, 2026: https://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/hords-creek
- AgSist, Coleman County rainfall summary from NOAA station data, through Oct. 29, 2026: https://agsist.com/rain/texas/coleman-county
- Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Crop and Weather Report, Oct. 27, 2026: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/10/27/pasture-mealybug-drought-take-toll-on-hay-fields-forage-yields/
- Related: Land appraisals, Coke County Ranch News: E.V. Spence Reservoir
Photo: 25or6to4, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coleman_County_Courthouse_(2018),_Coleman,_TX.jpg). Cropped.
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