quote from Bob Rose, LCRA meteorologist
Click here to link to Austin Statesman article.
Picture of Lake Travis at 61% of its capacity. Photo by Jay Janner American-Statesman
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Drought is NOT over!
"People think just because we've had some rain that the drought is over," said Bob Rose, a meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority. "Not even close."
quote from Bob Rose, LCRA meteorologist
Click here to link to Austin Statesman article.
Picture of Lake Travis at 61% of its capacity. Photo by Jay Janner American-Statesman
quote from Bob Rose, LCRA meteorologist
Click here to link to Austin Statesman article.
Picture of Lake Travis at 61% of its capacity. Photo by Jay Janner American-Statesman
Edwards Aquifer Authority in San Antonio declares drought Stage I
On April 27, 2009 the Edwards Aquifer Authority (in San Antonio) declared drought Stage I restrictions, triggering a 20% reduction from users in the San Antonio area. The drought declaration was triggered when San Marcos springs dropped below it's threshold of 96 cubic feet per second (10-day average).
Click here to visit the EAA's website.
Click here to visit the EAA's website.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Critical Drought Remains, but hopeful forecast issued
Current Conditions: Critical Stage
Barton Springs: 19.5 cfs (10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 195.1 ft
Despite the above-average rainfall for March, and the near-average rainfall for April, the area remains in a critical (hydrologic) drought with both indicators below their respective critical threshold.
The US Drought Monitor still shows much of the area under "exceptional" drought conditions.
The USGS map of streams below shows areas of below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year. The shaded areas represent "moderate hydrologic drought." Note much of Travis and part of Hays Counties are shaded.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in the forecast by the US Seasonal Outlook through July 2009. The outlook describes "drought likely to improve, impacts to east." NOAA describes a shift from La Nina conditions (which usually means less rainfall in Texas) to more "ENSO-neutral" conditions in April. This could mean a shift back to more average rainfall conditions in May. This would be good news since May is our wettest month of the year.
Barton Springs: 19.5 cfs (10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 195.1 ft
Despite the above-average rainfall for March, and the near-average rainfall for April, the area remains in a critical (hydrologic) drought with both indicators below their respective critical threshold.
The US Drought Monitor still shows much of the area under "exceptional" drought conditions.
The USGS map of streams below shows areas of below normal 7-day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of year. The shaded areas represent "moderate hydrologic drought." Note much of Travis and part of Hays Counties are shaded.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in the forecast by the US Seasonal Outlook through July 2009. The outlook describes "drought likely to improve, impacts to east." NOAA describes a shift from La Nina conditions (which usually means less rainfall in Texas) to more "ENSO-neutral" conditions in April. This could mean a shift back to more average rainfall conditions in May. This would be good news since May is our wettest month of the year.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Drought conditions remain
Current Conditions: Critical Stage
Barton Springs: 21 cfs (10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 195.01 ft
Above-average rainfall in March was very welcome after the mny months of below-average rainfall we've experienced. However, central Texas is still within the grips of an exceptional meteorological and hydrological drought.
A recent Austin American Statesman article by Suzannah Gonzales discusses the drought impact in central Texas:
Travis County commissioners on Tuesday (4/7) unanimously declared the county a disaster area due to the ongoing drought. The commissioners signed a letter to Gov. Rick Perry in support of his request for federal assistance. Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Comal counties have signed similar letters, according to Travis County emergency management coordinator Pete Baldwin.
While Travis County has fewer agricultural interests than most of its Central Texas neighbors, the dearth of rain over the last two years has taken a toll.
Commissioners also decided to keep the county’s burn ban in place, despite the rains Austin has received over the past two week, and they gave the go-ahead to Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County to coordinate a study of drought effects on Travis County farmers and ranchers.
In Bastrop County, 1,000 cattle have died, said Brad Pierce, Texas AgriLife’s agriculture program leader for Travis County. He said the number of lost cattle is unknown for Travis County because there are no auction services here. In 60 days, they’ll have a better idea production-wise how the county’s doing, Pierce said.
Barton Springs: 21 cfs (10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 195.01 ft
Above-average rainfall in March was very welcome after the mny months of below-average rainfall we've experienced. However, central Texas is still within the grips of an exceptional meteorological and hydrological drought.
A recent Austin American Statesman article by Suzannah Gonzales discusses the drought impact in central Texas:
Travis County commissioners on Tuesday (4/7) unanimously declared the county a disaster area due to the ongoing drought. The commissioners signed a letter to Gov. Rick Perry in support of his request for federal assistance. Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette and Comal counties have signed similar letters, according to Travis County emergency management coordinator Pete Baldwin.
While Travis County has fewer agricultural interests than most of its Central Texas neighbors, the dearth of rain over the last two years has taken a toll.
Commissioners also decided to keep the county’s burn ban in place, despite the rains Austin has received over the past two week, and they gave the go-ahead to Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County to coordinate a study of drought effects on Travis County farmers and ranchers.
In Bastrop County, 1,000 cattle have died, said Brad Pierce, Texas AgriLife’s agriculture program leader for Travis County. He said the number of lost cattle is unknown for Travis County because there are no auction services here. In 60 days, they’ll have a better idea production-wise how the county’s doing, Pierce said.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Recent rain helpful, but not enough to ease hydrologic drought
Current Conditions: Critical Stage
Barton Springs: 23 cfs (estimated 10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 194.7 ft
The thunderstorms that rolled through yesterday added about 1/2 inch to a March total of 2.6 inches--slightly above average for the month. However, it will take a lot more to take us out of drought conditions. Despite the above average rainfall for March, Barton Springs rose only temporarily and the Lovelady well only barely registered the influence of the rain.
It looks like more rain may be on the way today...let's hope so. Every drop helps.
Barton Springs: 23 cfs (estimated 10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 194.7 ft
The thunderstorms that rolled through yesterday added about 1/2 inch to a March total of 2.6 inches--slightly above average for the month. However, it will take a lot more to take us out of drought conditions. Despite the above average rainfall for March, Barton Springs rose only temporarily and the Lovelady well only barely registered the influence of the rain.
It looks like more rain may be on the way today...let's hope so. Every drop helps.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Drought persists, but with a glimmer of hope in the forecast
Current Conditions: Critical Stage Drought
Barton Springs: 23 cfs (estimated 10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 194.8 ft
The current drought still ranks among one of the worst (short-term) droughts on record. However, the seasonal outlook indicates that there could be some minor improvement. This Spring may be wetter than previously thought due to changes in the jet stream related to the El Nino/La Nina phenomena.
However, even if we have a normal (or average) Spring rainfall, that might not be enough to take us out of drought completely. After all, we've got a rainfall deficit of 20+ inches over the past 15 months.
The Drought Monitor shows Central Texas remaining under "exceptional" drought.
The Seasonal Outlook offers a glimmer of hope with "some improvement" noted.
Barton Springs: 23 cfs (estimated 10-day average)
Lovelady Well: 194.8 ft
The current drought still ranks among one of the worst (short-term) droughts on record. However, the seasonal outlook indicates that there could be some minor improvement. This Spring may be wetter than previously thought due to changes in the jet stream related to the El Nino/La Nina phenomena.
However, even if we have a normal (or average) Spring rainfall, that might not be enough to take us out of drought completely. After all, we've got a rainfall deficit of 20+ inches over the past 15 months.
The Drought Monitor shows Central Texas remaining under "exceptional" drought.
The Seasonal Outlook offers a glimmer of hope with "some improvement" noted.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
New podcast on water sustainability
The Bureau of Economic Geology, part of the Jackson School of Geoscience at UT Austin, has created a podcast series called Time on Earth. The second episode is on water sustainability and worth listening to.
Click here for the link to the website.
Click here for the link to the website.
Drought continues
Although the 2.5+ inches of rain that recently fell were very welcome, it wasn't enough to recharge the aquifer. In fact, very little runoff was generated from the rainfall, an easy indicator whether significant recharge is occurring. The photograph above was taken at a low-water crossing of Bear Creek in the recharge zone several hours after 2.0+ inches of rainfall occurred. Almost no runoff was generated due to the extremely dry soil conditions.
The rains had a temporary effect on Barton Springs as it jumped up in discharge from ~18 cfs up to ~30 cfs, but is quickly declining. The Lovelady Monitor well showed no response to the rainfall and was at 194.9 ft (and declining) today.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Critical Drought continues despite rains
Critical Stage Drought
Barton Springs Discharge (10-day average) = 17.5 cfs
Lovelady depth to water = 194.9 ft
As of today (3/12/9) the rainfall, although much appreciated, has not done much to recharge the aquifer. Barton Springs has temporarily jumped in discharge (up to 29 cfs), but without further rainfall, will quickly fall below 20 cfs again.
Both Barton Springs and the Lovelady well must be above their respective drought trigger levels for the Board to down-grade or remove a drought declaration.
Let's hope for more rain.
Barton Springs Discharge (10-day average) = 17.5 cfs
Lovelady depth to water = 194.9 ft
As of today (3/12/9) the rainfall, although much appreciated, has not done much to recharge the aquifer. Barton Springs has temporarily jumped in discharge (up to 29 cfs), but without further rainfall, will quickly fall below 20 cfs again.
Both Barton Springs and the Lovelady well must be above their respective drought trigger levels for the Board to down-grade or remove a drought declaration.
Let's hope for more rain.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Exceptional Drought Continues
Critical Stage Drought
Barton Springs Discharge (10-day average) = 17.5 cfs
Lovelady depth to water = 194.4 ft
Click here for an article by the LCRA's meteorologist Bob Rose.
Barton Springs Discharge (10-day average) = 17.5 cfs
Lovelady depth to water = 194.4 ft
Click here for an article by the LCRA's meteorologist Bob Rose.
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