Message from the General Manager: June 2025
May reminded me of two things: 1) it’s that time to accept summer heat, and 2) few things are as right as rain. Rainstorms, of course, threaten with hail, wind, and flooding. Beggars can’t be choosers, as they say, and I’m afraid beggars, we are. The cumulative rain deficit in Austin since January 2022 and […]
Message from the General Manager: February 2025
The new year had a wintery start and as it has become all too familiar in the District and throughout south-central Texas, we continue to hope for much needed rain to arrive soon. Last year ended with below-average rainfall in Austin for the third consecutive year. During the past three calendar years, we’ve missed out […]
Message from the General Manager: October 2024
Cooler mornings are a welcome reminder that we’re transitioning from the extreme heat of summer to enjoyable fall temperatures. If only such optimism translated to the state of our life-sustaining aquifers. As I write, the water level in our Lovelady well has forced a Stage III Critical Drought declaration and flow at Barton Springs is […]
Message from the General Manager: May 2024
Westbay and District staff finishing the installation of the multiport equipment in Zilker Park on Friday, May 24. As I write, the District is completing the installation of our newest multiport well in Zilker Park. With a grant from the City of Austin’s Barton Springs Salamander Conservation Fund, the new multiport well marks the 8th […]
Message from the General Manager: 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 […]
A Message from the General Manager: September 2023
By Tim Loftus, General Manager of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District For the second year in a row, low flow in the Mississippi River is causing problems. Thanks to a lack of rainfall in the upper watershed, a saltwater wedge is moving upriver from the Gulf of Mexico and shutting down small water treatment […]
