Little Bear Recharge Enhancement Project:
How it Impacts the District
Shay Hlavaty measuring water levels at what used to be an active quarry near Little Bear Creek.
Earlier this year, Austin City Council approved an innovative project to help recharge the Edwards Aquifer in the District’s territory and bolster Barton Springs flow. The Little Bear Recharge Enhancement Project will focus on diverting water from Little Bear Creek, located in southern Austin, in times of high flow and pushing it to a nearby former quarry.
This project will help boost groundwater levels in portions of the Edwards Aquifer. It will also protect discharge at Barton Springs, benefiting not only pool visitors but also the salamanders that rely on the water for habitat.
Drought Update
View of the Blanco River from the River Mountain Ranch neighborhood located in our Shared Territory.
Austin just experienced its warmest meteorological fall on record, which includes September, October, and November. Most of the rainfall took place in November and aquifer levels generally continued to decline amongst these dry and warm conditions. From January through November, the region received an average of 29.6 inches of rainfall, falling 4 inches short of the average for this period.
Neighborhood Well Visits
Justin Camp and Jacob Newton collect parameters of a well owner’s water on 11/20/24.
In November the District conducted Neighborhood Well Visits in the River Mountain Ranch neighborhood. This community is just east of Wimberley and located in our Shared Territory.
At the participating residences we:
– Measured pH, salinity, and the well’s depth to water
– Tested water for E. coli and coliform bacteria
– Provided informational District resources
– Answered any well owner questions
This was a great opportunity for the District to collect water level data points and connect with community members!
Holiday Office
Closure
The District office will be closed December 24-26 and also January 1. We hope you and your loved ones have a happy and safe holiday season!
Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is a groundwater conservation district tasked by the Texas legislature to work with well owners to conserve and manage the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and groundwater resources within its territory. The District covers 430 square miles in parts of Travis, Hays, and Caldwell counties; home to about 400,000 people.