Groundwater Flow as Evidenced from a Historic Petroleum Contamination Site, Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer, Austin, Texas
Leaking petroleum storage tanks from gas stations are one of the most common sources of contamination of groundwater in the U.S. and Texas. In 1992 a 2,900 gallon gasoline and diesel release occurred at the Big Wheel Truck Stop located on the highly sensitive Edwards Aquifer in Austin, Texas. The fate and transport of the […]
Potentiometric Surface Investigation of the Middle Trinity Aquifer in Western Hays County, Texas
Pleasant Valley Spring (PVS) and Jacob’s Well Spring (JWS) are large karst springs providing perennial baseflow to the Blanco River and Cypress Creek, respectively, which eventually recharges the Edwards Aquifer. JWS flow has become intermittent in recent years due to drought and increased pumping driven by nearby population growth within the Cypress Creek watershed. In […]
Hydrologic Influences of the Blanco River on the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers, Central Texas, USA
The Blanco River of central Texas provides an important hydrologic link between surface and groundwater as it traverses two major karst aquifer systems—the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers. The Blanco River is characterized by alternating gaining and losing stretches due to the presence of springs that discharge water into the river and swallets that drain water […]
Refining the Freshwater/Saline-Water Interface, Edwards Aquifer, Hays and Travis Counties, Texas
This study refines the freshwater/saline-water interface in the Edwards Aquifer of Travis and Hays Counties based upon 855 data points compiled from measured or estimated total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater. Changes to the boundary include localized lateral shifts of up to 1.3 miles and an apparent net loss of 3.8 mi2 of areal extent […]
Recent Well Drilling Activity
The drilling of irrigation wells is a recent trend. As water suppliers restrict water use, many homeowners are looking to irrigation wells to maintain lush landscapes, rather than paying high water bills or converting to drought-tolerant, native plants. In areas with groundwater conservation districts, permit requirements, and a public process, there are far less irrigation […]
Updated Hydro Zones Map
The Edwards Aquifer is a complex groundwater system. Research continues to refine what we understand about aquifer dynamics, water quality, and flow regimes. Recently, groundwater traces and groundwater chemistry studies in our area have changed how we view the District hydro zones. Each hydro zone plays a different role in aquifer function and dynamics (More […]
Sold! New Well Owners Will Get More Info at Closing
These days, the real estate market in Central Texas is as hot as the summers! To make things easier and more transparent regarding well ownership, use, and restrictions, the District has worked with Charles Porter and the Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) to include water well and groundwater conservation district information in the Seller’s Disclosure […]
Policy Overview of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District
An overview of the District, water planning, available groundwater, groundwater resources, permitting, recharge, history of droughts and floods, and contact information.