Barton Springs Multiport Well
Jeff Watson, Staff Hydrogeologist, collecting freshly cut core samples during the Barton Springs Multiport Well drilling process in February 2024. The District has successfully drilled two new monitor wells this year- one in Garrison Park and another in Zilker Park just south of Barton Springs Pool. While construction at the Garrison monitor well is now […]
Drought Update – March 2024
Rainfall During March, the Austin area typically experiences a monthly average rainfall of approximately 2.9 inches. To date, we have received 2.1 inches. Despite receiving steady rainfall in both February and March, rainfall amounts for both months were about a half-inch short of their respective monthly averages. Figure 1. Monthly deviation from average and monthly total […]
Public Hearing – City of Buda
Notice is given that Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board of Directors will hold a Public Hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the District office located at 1124 Regal Row, Austin, TX, 78748. The City of Buda, 405 E Loop St, Buda, TX, 78610, filed an […]
Drought Update – February 2024
Transition to Stage II Alarm Drought Ongoing Impact of Early 2024 Rainfall In January the District received an average of 6 inches of rain. This rain increased flow in the Blanco River and creeks throughout the area. District monitor wells and spring flow gauges recorded increases in water levels for both the Edwards and Trinity […]
September 2023 Potentiometric Study of the Middle Trinity Aquifer, Central Texas
The Middle Trinity Aquifer is a critical groundwater resource in Hays County, providing the sole source of drinking water to many residents living in the county. It is also the source of ecologically and culturally important artesian springs that provide baseflow to the Blanco River, which is the primary source of recharge to the Barton […]
Drought Update – January 2024
In mid-January, an arctic blast swept across most of the United States. The Texas Hill Country felt the brunt of this cold front from Sunday, January 14, through Wednesday, January 17, with temperatures lingering near or below freezing for over 72 hours. Although the period was predominately dry, some precipitation did fall and is suspected to […]
Message from the GM – January 2024
District permittees, constituents with private wells, and staff have something in common: The 19-month (and counting) drought has been stressful. Last week’s rains were more than welcome and have had a positive impact on our two drought sentinels. Barton Springs is flowing at about 70 cfs, which is above the 45-year median average for late […]
Preparing for Winter Weather
While winters are generally mild in the Texas Hill Country, the last few years have taught us that extremes are always possible and it pays to be prepared. Winter Storm Uri in 2021 created more than $195 billion in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster in Texas history. Part of this damage was the […]
Drought Update – December 2023
2023 has come and gone, yet we continue to feel the lasting impact of its extreme heat and low rainfall. It was the hottest year on record with Camp Mabry recording an average temperature of 72.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a tenth of a degree hotter than 2017- the previous record holder. The Austin area’s average annual […]
District Declares Stage IV Drought
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (the District) officially declared Stage IV Exceptional Drought on December 14, 2023 for the first time in their 36-year history. Stage IV declaration restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2024. This transition is a result of the Lovelady monitor well, one of two drought trigger determinants, reaching a 10-day […]