The Barton Springs Segment Remains in Alarm Stage Drought

Contrary to the improved conditions experienced recently in the San Antonio segment of the aquifer to the south of us, the Barton Springs segment's drought indicators remain firmly within their respective ranges of our current Alarm Stage Drought. The recent rains offered some relief to our hot temperatures and greened up some of our yards a little bit; however, it doesn't appear to have resulted in any notable recharge to the aquifer.

Current levels for our drought triggers are at a 10-day average flow rate of 25 cfs at Barton Springs and 183.6 feet depth to water at the Lovelady Monitor Well. Both of these are the lowest levels experienced so far in this drought; that is, there has been no improvement in the aquifer condition. The triggers for Alarm Stage Drought for Barton Springs and the Lovelady Monitor Well are 38 cfs of spring flow and 181 feet depth to water, respectively.

The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), which manages both the San Antonio and the Uvalde pools of the aquifer, has recently reported improved aquifer conditions there that were sufficient to lift the drought restrictions. As most of you know, the EAA's pools are hydrologically separate from our Barton Springs segment, so unfortunately, their improved conditions don't really affect ours. As permittees, many of you may be getting questions about what the EAA's public announcement means to you and your customers, so it's important to understand the difference.

Alarm Drought continues

Drought Status: Alarm

Average July rainfall helps, but does not alleviate drought conditions. Both Drought Triggers remain below their respective thresholds:

• Barton Springs = 25 cfs (10-day avg)
• Lovelady Well = 183.6 feet

Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.

NEW!
Click here for "Greenleaf" an interactive site for climate, agriculture, and drought information,

What difference a year makes!

Click here for a comparison article of last year's to this year's weather, from LCRA's meteorologist Bob Rose.

Alarm Drought

Drought Status: Alarm

Both Drought Triggers are below their respective thresholds:

• Barton Springs = 27 cfs (10-day avg)
• Lovelady Well = 181.4 feet

Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.

Alarm Drought Declared

Drought Status: Alarm

• Barton Springs = 29 cfs (10-day avg)
• Lovelady Well = 178.8 feet

Other Drought Indicators:

• Manchaca Rainfall (year to date, as of 6/23) = 8.1 inches, nearly a 9 inch deficit for 2008
• U.S. Drought Monitor indicates "extreme drought" conditions (note, this is a meteorological drought index).
• U.S. Seasonal Outlook indicates our area is within a region mapped as drought to "persist," despite the fact that La Nina conditions appear to be weakening.

Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.

Alarm Drought Imminent

Drought Status: NO DROUGHT (but likely to be declared at the next Board Meeting on Monday 6/23/08)
Barton Springs = 28 cfs (10-day avg is 30 cfs)*
Lovelady Well = 178.3 feet

Manchaca Rainfall (year to date, as of 6/20) = 8.1 inches

U.S. Drought Monitor indicates "extreme drought" conditions (note, this is a meteorological drought index).

U.S. Seasonal Outlook indicates our area is within a region mapped as drought to "persist," despite the fact that La Nina conditions appear to be weakening.

*recent Barton Springs field measurements were lower than previously reported by the USGS automated gauge and website, prompting a revision of data and the apparent drop of springflow from our previous drought reports over the past few weeks.

Current Conditions 6/12/08

Drought Status: NO DROUGHT
Barton Springs = 40 cfs (10-day avg is 41 cfs)*
Lovelady Well = 177.1 feet

We are estimating entry into Alarm Stage Drought no later than the first week of July.

Manchaca Rainfall (year to date, as of 6/12) = 8.1 inches

U.S. Drought Monitor indicates "severe drought" conditions (note, this is a meteorological drought index).

U.S. Seasonal Outlook indicates our area is within a region mapped as "some improvement" due to the fact that La Nina conditions appear to be weakening.

*recent field measurements by the District and City of Austin indicate Barton Springs discharge may actually be lower than currently reported, we are awaiting verification and revisions to the spring discharge by the USGS.

Current Conditions 5/22/8

Drought Status: NO DROUGHT
Barton Springs = 44 cfs (10-day avg is 46 cfs)*
Lovelady Well = 172.8 feet

Unless we get significant rains, we are estimating entry into Alarm Stage Drought in early June.

Manchaca Rainfall (year to date, as of 5/22) = 7.9 inches

U.S. Drought Monitor indicates "abnormally dry" conditions (note, this is a meteorological drought index).

U.S. Seasonal Outlook indicates our area is within a region mapped as "some improvement" due to the fact that La Nina conditions appear to be weakening.

*recent field measurements by the District indicate Barton Springs discharge may actually be lower than currently reported, we are awaiting verification and revisions to the spring discharge by the USGS.

Current Conditions 5/7/8

Drought Status: NO DROUGHT
Barton Springs = 48 cfs (10-day avg is 52 cfs)
Lovelady Well = 170.4 feet

Unless we get significant rains, we are estimating entry into Alarm Stage Drought as soon as early to mid June. See May 5th blog entry below.

Manchaca Rainfall (year to date, as of 5/7) = 6.8 inches

U.S. Drought Monitor indicates "abnormally dry" conditions (note, this is a meteorological drought index).

U.S. Seasonal Outlook indicates our area is within a region mapped as "Drought ongoing, some improvement"

Summer weather 2008: Drier, warmer weather predicted the next few months

from Bob Rose, LCRA Meteorologist

Click here for the full article.

"It’s often said that Central Texas weather is one long drought interrupted by occasional floods. While this description often seems true, in reality, each year’s weather is often very different than the previous year.

In 2007, persistent, heavy rains characterized spring and summer weather. There were numerous floods and for the first time in 10 years, all of Texas was declared drought-free. But the wet weather didn’t last long. By late 2007, rain had become scarce and in 2008, drought returned to a large part of Texas, including the Hill Country and most of Central Texas. This summer, much drier weather than last year is expected.

The return of drier than normal weather can be attributed in part to the development of a weather phenomenon known as La Niña. In a La Niña, the Jet Stream is pushed north of its normal position and replaced by a large area of stable high pressure. This high pressure area limits the number of storms crossing our region, resulting in lower than normal rain. A weak La Nina will continue into the summer, which should result in drier than normal weather from late spring into summer. But keep in mind the weather won’t be totally dry. The month of May is typically the stormiest and wettest of the entire year and we’re likely to see a few storms from time to time. Temperatures this spring and summer are shaping up to be very warm, much warmer than they were last summer. Look for readings to hit the upper 90s to 100 degrees beginning in June."