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 […]
District Declares Stage IV Drought
Justin Camp, District Hydrogeologist Technician, manually measuring groundwater levels at the Lovelady monitoring well in August 2023. 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 […]
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
Justin Camp, District Hydrogeoloic Technician, measures the Lovelady monitor well in south Austin with an e-line in June of 2025. 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 […]
Middle Trinity Aquifer Synoptic
Jeff Watson, Staff Hydrogeologist at BSEACD, measuring Pleasant Valley Spring flow on September 14, 2023 with Radu Boghici, Hydrogeologist at Hays Trinity GCD. This month the District began conducting a synoptic survey of the Middle Trinity Aquifer. This involves measuring hundreds of Trinity Aquifer wells within a set timeframe and provides an overarching ‘snapshot’ of […]