Drought Status: Critical
Current drought trigger levels:
Barton Springs = 19.3 cfs (10-day avg)
Lovelady Well = 193.7 feet
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday, December 12, 2008
Aquifer District Declares Critical Stage Drought for Only the Second Time in Twenty-One Years
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District’s Board of Directors declared a Critical Stage Drought for the groundwater resources in the District’s jurisdiction, including the heavily used Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, at its regular board meeting on Thursday, December 11. The declaration will require a 30% mandatory reduction in the authorized monthly use from all its permittees, which will in turn affect some 60,000 groundwater users, mostly in southern Travis and northern Hays County. This is only the second time in the District’s 21-year history that a declaration of this kind has been issued.
This year was the fourth driest on record. Austin’s Camp Mabry received around 15 inches of rain, a 17-inch deficit from average, and the contributing watersheds of the aquifer received even less. In addition, the summer of 2008 turned out to be one of the hottest on record, increasing the demand for groundwater. Consequently, on June 23, 2008, the District’s Board of Directors declared an Alarm Stage Drought, which required permittees to implement steps in their User Drought Contingency Plans to achieve a mandatory 20% reduction in monthly usage from their authorized levels.
While many exempt well owners, permittees, and their customers have made concerted attempts to achieve these reductions, water levels in the aquifer have continued to decline. In early December, the ten-day average discharge at Barton Springs fell below its critical level of 20 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the water level in the Lovelady Drought Indicator Well fell below its critical level of 191.8 feet (either of those conditions would have been sufficient for the Board to consider a Critical Stage declaration). Unfortunately, meteorological forecasts by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicate that dry conditions may persist through much of 2009.
Existing groundwater users in the District will now have to cut back their monthly water use another 10% and heed more stringent restrictions. Their water suppliers (and/or the District) will inform end-users as to what obligations they must follow under Critical Stage Drought. Generally, groundwater users will be limited only to water use for essential (indoor) demands needed to preserve health and safety with a very minor allocation provided for some non-essential (outdoor) water uses such as maintaining small lawn areas for fire protection and foundation damage prevention. The District’s staff is committed to ensuring that such restrictions are as equitable as possible and will be taking steps during drought to guarantee that:
• New water withdrawals will not be authorized by permit during this drought;
• The restrictions included in the User Drought Contingency Plans that are part of every groundwater use permit will be aggressively enforced; and
• Rules that prohibit use by end users who are using water in a wasteful fashion will be enforced.
The District asks all of its constituents to continue their water conservation measures and be even better stewards of an increasingly scarce resource. A list of actions to save water in and around the home or office and the hydrographs for various monitor wells are available on the District’s website at www.bseacd.org. With continued lack of significant rainfall and high rates of pumping, water levels could drop to the extent that some wells could go dry and flow from Barton Springs could eventually decrease to the point where ecological, recreational, and aesthetic uses of Barton Springs would be harmed. The aquifer can no longer afford anything other than minimal use, and that may be the situation for many, many more months.
This year was the fourth driest on record. Austin’s Camp Mabry received around 15 inches of rain, a 17-inch deficit from average, and the contributing watersheds of the aquifer received even less. In addition, the summer of 2008 turned out to be one of the hottest on record, increasing the demand for groundwater. Consequently, on June 23, 2008, the District’s Board of Directors declared an Alarm Stage Drought, which required permittees to implement steps in their User Drought Contingency Plans to achieve a mandatory 20% reduction in monthly usage from their authorized levels.
While many exempt well owners, permittees, and their customers have made concerted attempts to achieve these reductions, water levels in the aquifer have continued to decline. In early December, the ten-day average discharge at Barton Springs fell below its critical level of 20 cubic feet per second (cfs) and the water level in the Lovelady Drought Indicator Well fell below its critical level of 191.8 feet (either of those conditions would have been sufficient for the Board to consider a Critical Stage declaration). Unfortunately, meteorological forecasts by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center indicate that dry conditions may persist through much of 2009.
Existing groundwater users in the District will now have to cut back their monthly water use another 10% and heed more stringent restrictions. Their water suppliers (and/or the District) will inform end-users as to what obligations they must follow under Critical Stage Drought. Generally, groundwater users will be limited only to water use for essential (indoor) demands needed to preserve health and safety with a very minor allocation provided for some non-essential (outdoor) water uses such as maintaining small lawn areas for fire protection and foundation damage prevention. The District’s staff is committed to ensuring that such restrictions are as equitable as possible and will be taking steps during drought to guarantee that:
• New water withdrawals will not be authorized by permit during this drought;
• The restrictions included in the User Drought Contingency Plans that are part of every groundwater use permit will be aggressively enforced; and
• Rules that prohibit use by end users who are using water in a wasteful fashion will be enforced.
The District asks all of its constituents to continue their water conservation measures and be even better stewards of an increasingly scarce resource. A list of actions to save water in and around the home or office and the hydrographs for various monitor wells are available on the District’s website at www.bseacd.org. With continued lack of significant rainfall and high rates of pumping, water levels could drop to the extent that some wells could go dry and flow from Barton Springs could eventually decrease to the point where ecological, recreational, and aesthetic uses of Barton Springs would be harmed. The aquifer can no longer afford anything other than minimal use, and that may be the situation for many, many more months.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Drought Status: Alarm
Current drought trigger levels:
Barton Springs = 19.9 cfs (10-day avg)
Lovelady Well = 192.6 feet
Critical Stage Drought is nearly upon us. This hydrologic drought is directly the result of the past 15+ months of predominantly below average rainfall. This is the 4th driest year on record (at Camp Mabry) and the driest since 1956. The Board will likely upgrade the drought stage from Alarm to Critical at tonight's meeting.
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and spring flow.
Current drought trigger levels:
Barton Springs = 19.9 cfs (10-day avg)
Lovelady Well = 192.6 feet
Critical Stage Drought is nearly upon us. This hydrologic drought is directly the result of the past 15+ months of predominantly below average rainfall. This is the 4th driest year on record (at Camp Mabry) and the driest since 1956. The Board will likely upgrade the drought stage from Alarm to Critical at tonight's meeting.
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and spring flow.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Critical Stage Drought nearly upon us
Drought Status: Alarm
Current drought trigger levels:
Barton Springs = 20.4 cfs (10-day avg)
Lovelady Well = 191.8 feet
Critical Stage Drought is nearly upon us. This hydrologic drought is directly the result of the past 14 months of predominantly below average rainfall. Without any substantial and sustained rains before the next Board meeting (December 11), the aquifer conditions will indicate Critical Stage Drought, and the Board will likely make an official declaration.
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.
Current drought trigger levels:
Barton Springs = 20.4 cfs (10-day avg)
Lovelady Well = 191.8 feet
Critical Stage Drought is nearly upon us. This hydrologic drought is directly the result of the past 14 months of predominantly below average rainfall. Without any substantial and sustained rains before the next Board meeting (December 11), the aquifer conditions will indicate Critical Stage Drought, and the Board will likely make an official declaration.
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Jacob's Well (spring) stops flowing
Jacob’s Well Stops Flowing
This drought is not just limited to the Barton Springs Aquifer. Recently a press release was issued from Wimberley stating that the spring called Jacob's Well stopped flowing for only the second time in recorded history. This spring issues from the Trinity Aquifer within the Texas Hill Country and indicates that those resources are also under severe stress due to the drought.
The Climate Prediction Center (NOAA) has indicated that we are El Nino/La Nina neutral conditions, but that lingering La Nina atmospheric signals in the atmosphere may be contributing to our drier than normal conditions.
This drought is not just limited to the Barton Springs Aquifer. Recently a press release was issued from Wimberley stating that the spring called Jacob's Well stopped flowing for only the second time in recorded history. This spring issues from the Trinity Aquifer within the Texas Hill Country and indicates that those resources are also under severe stress due to the drought.
The Climate Prediction Center (NOAA) has indicated that we are El Nino/La Nina neutral conditions, but that lingering La Nina atmospheric signals in the atmosphere may be contributing to our drier than normal conditions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Alarm Stage Drought Continues--Approaching Critical Drought Levels
Drought Status: Alarm
Current drought trigger levels:
The Climate Prediction Center (NOAA) has indicated that we are El Nino/La Nina neutral conditions, but that lingering La Nina atmospheric signals in the atmosphere may be contributing to our drier than normal conditions.
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.
*USGS data is being revised and is not currently available since 10/15. The estimated value is based on the last reported data and known rates of springflow decline.
Current drought trigger levels:
- Barton Springs = 22 cfs (10-day avg, estimated*)
- Lovelady Well = 190.6 feet
The Climate Prediction Center (NOAA) has indicated that we are El Nino/La Nina neutral conditions, but that lingering La Nina atmospheric signals in the atmosphere may be contributing to our drier than normal conditions.
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.
*USGS data is being revised and is not currently available since 10/15. The estimated value is based on the last reported data and known rates of springflow decline.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Alarm Drought Continues
Drought Status: Alarm
Both Drought Triggers remain below their respective thresholds:
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.
Both Drought Triggers remain below their respective thresholds:
- Barton Springs = 27 cfs (10-day avg)
- Lovelady Well = 186.7 feet
Alarm Stage Drought requires a reduction of 20% of normal monthly water usage by permit holders. Critical Stage drought will require a reduction of 30%. We further ask all who use groundwater to conserve water to help maintain water levels and springflow.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Alarm Drought Continues
Drought Status: Alarm
Both Drought Triggers remain below their respective thresholds:
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.
Both Drought Triggers remain below their respective thresholds:
- Barton Springs = 23 cfs (10-day avg)
- Lovelady Well = 185.4 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.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Town Hall Meeting to be Held to Discuss Drought and the Aquifer
We know as water providers you get a large volume of various questions during drought regarding aquifer levels, length of this drought, and water restrictions. We here at the District want to help educate your end-users for mutual benefit, and accordingly, we will be hosting a presentation and question-and-answer session in Buda on Wednesday evening, August 13th. We will cover how the aquifer works, how drought affects the aquifer (and wells), and what steps we can all take to protect this shared resource. Please take a moment to pass this flyer/information to your end-users
- When: Wednesday August 13, 2008
- Where: Buda City Hall
121 Main St.
Buda, TX 78610 - Time: 7 p.m.
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.
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.
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