The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (the District) was founded in 1987 by the Texas legislature. As a groundwater conservation district, we’re a local entity authorized by the state to work with well owners to protect aquifers and manage the use of groundwater throughout our territory.
The District has declared Stage 3 Exceptional Drought, effective October 1, 2025. We have been in various levels of drought since July 2022. The District’s drought status is based on two determinants: Barton Springs flow and Lovelady monitor well groundwater levels, as seen on the right. With Texas Hill Country aquifers at severe lows, it’s essential for all community members in the District to meet their groundwater restrictions and continue to conserve this precious resource.
Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 5pm
The next meeting is a Regular Board Meeting, which is held on the second Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted. This meeting will take place at the District’s office, located at 1124 Regal Row, Austin, TX 78748. Board Meetings will also be accessible virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Photo of a dry Sculpture Falls on Barton Creek. This is one of the many creeks in the area that, when flowing, provide recharge to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. The Barton
The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (District) is soliciting statements of interest and qualifications for assisting the District in submitting a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) Groundwater Research, Science, and Data Collection Grant for Fiscal Year 2026. The grant application will propose to create
2025 RecapWhile 2025 did not surpass Austin’s record for the hottest year, it still ranked among the city’s top five with an average temperature of 71.9°F. The hottest year on record remains 2024, with an
The District entered Stage 3 Exceptional Drought (previously known as Stage IV Exceptional Drought) on October 1, 2025—only the second time we’ve made such a declaration. Now, we are approaching the threshold for Stage 4