Welcome Soaking over the Weekend

Stage II Critical Drought

Lovelady: 466.68 ft-msl

Barton Springs: approximately 35 cfs 10-day average

The rain over the weekend was substantial enough to create flow in area creeks where the majority of recharge to the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer occurs. Hopefully these rains are the precursor to the wet conditions possible with the arrival of El Niño conditions which the National Weather Service places a 58% chance of developing during winter 2014-2015 and lasting into spring 2015. Although Barton Springs experienced a sudden increase in flow due to the rain over the weekend, that increase does not indicate an increase in groundwater storage in the aquifer, rather a sudden surge of surface water travelling quickly through developed karst conduits (caves, sinkholes, etc). Lovelady monitor well hydrograph, the District's other drought trigger site, has slowed its descent into deeper stages of drought for the time being and may be indicating a subtle rise in aquifer water levels due to the rain, but whether that is the case or not remains to be seen. To see the latest official District drought status click here. 

Rain in November Average

Stage II Alarm Drought
Lovelady monitor well: 468.7 ft-msl
Barton Springs: 35 cfs 10-day avg.

Total rainfall at the district office in November of 3.2 inches was just shy of the historic average for the month of 3.3 inches. This ahead of the 58% chance NOAA's Climate Prediction Center places on El Nino (ENSO) conditions developing this winter and extending in spring 2015. ENSO conditions generally correlate with wetter periods in central Texas. Currently, despite the average rain conditions recharge to the aquifer has been minimal and consequently water levels in the aquifer are declining after a summer of roller-coaster-like ups and downs (see drought chart here).