The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (the District) officially declared Stage III Critical Drought on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Stage III declaration restrictions will take effect November 1.
This transition is a result of the Lovelady monitor well, one of two drought stage determinants for the District, reaching a 10-day average of 462.6 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl). This is below the District’s 462.7 ft-msl threshold for Stage III. For reference, the average water level elevation for Lovelady monitor well since measurements began in 1949 is 492.8 ft-msl. (For additional information on the Lovelady monitor well, view this article.)
Barton Springs discharge, the District’s other drought determinant, is also expected to descend past its Stage III threshold soon. The below average groundwater levels and discharge at these sites is representative of the alarmingly low water levels of the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer and Trinity Aquifer. These aquifers serve as drinking water sources for nearly 100,000 people from south Austin to southern San Marcos and is managed by the District.
In a statement about the declaration, District General Manager Dr. Tim Loftus said, “The downgrade in drought status is a painful reminder that our aquifers haven’t had the chance to recover since drought was declared in June 2022. It may get worse before it gets better, and it’s anyone’s guess as to when that might be.”
Prior to entering Stage III, the District had been in Stage II since March 2024. The District has now been in drought for 28 consecutive months. Barton Springs flow and Lovelady groundwater levels serve as the determinants for the District’s drought stages. Only one of these sites needs to cross below a new drought threshold for a District declaration to be made. However, to exit a stage of drought, both Barton Springs and Lovelady must rise above their respective drought threshold values.
Stage III drought requires 30-100% reduction in pumpage by the District’s more than 120 permittees, which vary in size from individual well owners to water service providers like Creedmoor Maha Water Supply Corp, Goforth Special Utility District, and the cities of Buda and Kyle. Permittees will experience various degrees of restrictions based on their permit classification, and those who don’t meet these restrictions are subject to monthly drought penalties. While the District doesn’t enforce restrictions on end-users served by water utilities on groundwater wells, it is the permittees’ responsibility to ensure reductions are met. Water utility customers can contact their service provider for additional information on restrictions they may experience.
For groundwater resources to replenish and drought conditions to end, the area will have to experience a long period of widespread and significant rainfall over local aquifer recharge zones. As we continue to weather this multi-year drought, community members in and outside of the District’s territory can do their part by actively conserving water resources to minimize surface and groundwater depletion and help our aquifer levels recover. Groundwater use should be limited for essential indoor demands with minimal water allocated for outdoor purposes.
Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is a groundwater conservation district tasked by the Texas Legislature to work with well owners to conserve and protect the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and groundwater resources within its territory. The District covers 430 square miles in parts of Travis, Hays, and Caldwell counties; home to about 400,000 people. For additional information, visit www.bseacd.org or call 512-282-8441.
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