Floods put us on the Right Track but not out of Drought yet

Stage III Critical Drought

Heavy rains (and floods) over the October 12 through 13 weekend have brought about much needed flow in the creeks that cross the recharge zone of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.  Water levels in the aquifer started to rise slowly in mid-September following two rain events that brought a total of 4.4 inches to the District rain gage.  September ended with a total of 6.8 inches of rain at the District.  The October 12-13 rain event brought over 12 inches of rain to an area near Loop 360 and Barton Creek, 8 inches in Shady Hollow, with lesser amounts over the remainder of the recharge and contributing zones.  Aquifer levels in the Lovelady monitor well rose about a foot between September 18 and October 12.  Following the October 12-13 rain event, the water level in the well rose about 1.2 ft over a 4-day period.  A further rise of about 2.3 ft will move us into Stage II Alarm Drought from our current Stage III Critical Drought.  We can’t say that the end of the drought is in sight, but we are at least on the right track, for now.

Below see a video of Slaughter Creek on the morning of Sunday October 13.