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 […]
Drought Update – November 2023
Rainfall After experiencing a generous average of 6 inches of rainfall in October that saturated the ground and contributed to some aquifer recharge, the Texas Hill Country has reverted to below-average conditions in November. The area has only recorded 1.4 inches, which is 1.5 inches below the historical average. Specifically, Camp Mabry to ABIA region received […]
5 Water Saving Tips for the Holidays
Thanksgiving has come and gone and now Christmas is just a few weeks away. With decorating, buying presents, and preparing for guests, it can be easy to forget the District is in Stage III drought and overlook ways to conserve water. To make it easier, here are a few ideas on how to reduce your […]
Lovelady Monitor Well: Past and Present
BSEACD staff measures the Lovelady monitor well in south Austin with an e-line in July of 2023. For those who keep up with the District’s drought status, it’s common knowledge that the Lovelady monitor well is one of our two primary drought triggers. What you may not know is that it also provides key historical […]
Drought Update – October 2023
Record Heat to Record Cold September seamlessly extended the scorching and arid conditions that characterized this summer. The persistent heat dome, an area of elevated upper-level high pressure, maintained its grip on our region for most of the month, resulting in temperatures higher than usual. In 2023, there were a staggering 80 days when the […]