Travis County is Out of Drought. Why isn’t the District?
You might have seen recent stories saying Travis County is drought-free for the first time in two years. If this is the case, then why is the District still in Stage II Alarm Drought? As of June 20, the US Drought Monitor shows Travis County (outlined in black) is out of drought and listed as ‘Abnormally Dry.’ […]
Drought Update: May 2024
In the 1930s Texas State Climatologist Isaac Klein reportedly said, “Texas is a land of eternal drought, interrupted occasionally by biblical floods”, and right now the state is seeing a little of both. While parts of southeast Texas had severe flooding earlier last month and North Texas is experiencing one of its wettest springs on record, […]
Well Water Checkup – July 2024
In partnership with the the Texas Well Owner Network (TWON), the District is hosting its first Well Water Checkup of 2024. Well owners with wells located in the District’s boundaries are welcome to participate for free. Key Dates and Times All will take place at the District office located at 1124 Regal Row, Austin, Texas. Water […]
Drought Update – April 2024
Rainfall April is known for its “April showers”, and rainfall last month didn’t disappoint. The Austin region experienced 3.0 inches, which surpasses April’s historical average by more than a half-inch (figure 1). April is the second month of 2024 to exceed its monthly average. From January to April, we accumulated an average of 13.2 inches of […]
Barton Springs Multiport Monitor 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 complete, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
