Lovelady Reaches 3rd Highest Water Level on Record

No Drought

Lovelady well height: 537 ft-msl (116 ft-Depth to Water)

Barton Springs: approximately: 107 cfs (10-day average)

The water level in the Lovelady monitor well has risen to surpass the 3^rd highest peak recorded in 2003 (536.0 ft-msl or 117.4 ft-dtw). It is expected that the water level will continue to rise while recharge creeks continue to flow. A combined 14 inches of rain in May and June has provided tremendous recharge. The District's recharge enhancement facility, Antioch, in Onion Creek is currently taking recharge. The City of Austin staff report that Onion Creek features on the Water Quality Protection Lands are also receiving recharge.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that we’ll remain in an El Nino advisory through the summer, bringing “cooler-than-normal” and “wetter-than-normal” conditions.

Lovelady water levels would have to climb another 9 feet to pass 2016’s 2^nd highest peak (545 ft-msl) and 11.3 ft to pass 1992’s 1^st highest peak. While water levels in the Edwards Aquifer are currently at record highs, the hydrograph period of record shows that drought will eventually return. Water conservation now helps extend the period of time out of drought and preserve water storage.