Wednesday, May 30, 2018

On the Cusp of Drought Heading into Summer 2018

No Drought (Preparing for it, so please conserve!)
Lovelady well height: 487. ft-msl (166.4 ft-Depth to Water)
Barton Springs: approximately 56 cfs 10-day average

The BSEACD drought outlook valid from May 10, 2018, to May 24, 2018 remains in “NO DROUGHT” as aquifer levels at the Lovelady well were helped out with a 3 inch rain event in early May that stabilized water levels to stay above Alarm Stage level and Barton Springs flow was also helped by the rains that boosted flow up to 66 cubic feet per second

Lovelady water levels are stable just after an early May shower of 3”. All area creeks saw a rise in stage and Onion creek went from dry to 4’ feet of stage in Buda with flow peaking at 28 cfs. Antioch cave valves were open and taking plenty of needed recharge. Onion creek has returned to dry as we have received only 1 inch since early May.

Barton Springs flow has also been on the rise since the rain, raising flow to a peak 66 cfs (up from 57 cfs just days before). The recent rain has postponed the BSEACD prediction of falling below Alarm Stage (below 38 cfs) from mid April to late June if we are not to get additional rain. This prediction seems to be staying on cource with such little rain.

A declaration of drought for the aquifers will be made by the District based on which of the two drought indicators enters drought condition first. Because of the 7 “ rain so far this spring, aquifer levels and Barton Springs flow have increased. This holds off drought for a bit longer and postpones the BSEACD prediction of  drought conditions between April and June of this year to late June to early July. With The development of La Nina conditions, which is a tendency for hotter and drier conditions, may exacerbate the advance of drought.