No matter what area agencies call their drought declaration, it’s obvious water levels and spring flows have declined to exceptionally low levels. In order to preserve groundwater availability, coordinated water conservation measures are essential.
Groundwater Drought Declarations
| Agency | Drought Stage | Date Declared | Details |
| Hays Trinity GCD | Jacob’s Well GMZ – 30% Curtailment Remaining GCD – 20% Curtailment |
Nov. 2020 | Board Order, 11/1/2020 |
| Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer CD | Stage II Alarm Drought (20% Curtailment or more) | Oct. 2020 | Press Release, 10/9/2020 |
| Edwards Aquifer Authority | Stage 1 Restrictions (20% Curtailment) for San Antonio Pool | Oct. 2020 | Press Release, 10/16/2020 |
With dry soils, even the six inches of rain in early September did little to boost groundwater storage for the long term. The plants and soils absorbed much of the moisture, so the rain did little to generate runoff and recharge. This late in the dry season, it will take several consecutive rains to wet the soils before sustained recharge can refill the aquifers.
The hottest part of the year has passed, and water use will begin to decline as outdoor watering decreases. Even so, water conservation now will help extend water resources until enough rain events generate meaningful recharge.
Take a moment to tune up your well and clean your pump house, fix pesky drips and leaks, dip your toes in the Blanco or stroll along Cypress Creek. Be part of the collective solution to protect our shared water supply.