Antioch Cave: Protecting Aquifer Recharge in the District
People exploring the vault over Antioch Cave in February 2025.
Last week District staff led a tour of the innovative infrastructure over Antioch Cave – a major recharge site for the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
Antioch Cave lies within the creekbed of Onion Creek and is located just over a mile from downtown Buda. Onion Creek is the main contributor of recharge to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, and Antioch Cave is the largest recharge feature on the creek.
In 1997 the District installed a concrete structure over the entrance of the cave to prevent contaminants from entering the groundwater that thousands of people rely on. The project has prevented hundreds of tons of sediment and pollutants from entering aquifer.
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Message from the General Manager
Downtown Austin with a dusting of snow. Photo credit: City of Austin
The new year had a wintery start and as it has become all too familiar in the District and throughout south-central Texas, we continue to hope for much needed rain to arrive soon. Last year ended with below-average rainfall in Austin for the third consecutive year. During the past three calendar years, we’ve missed out on a cumulative total of 19-20 inches of rainfall. Aquifer water levels reflect that missing water and as I write, we’re getting uncomfortably close to Stage IV Exceptional Drought. Only once in the District’s history have we entered Stage IV drought and that occurred in January 2024.
Read the Full Message
Drought Update
Onion Creek by Old San Antonio Road in Buda this January.
January 2025 was a cold one with Camp Mabry recording an average temperature of 46.9°F — 5.3° below normal. Last month brought 1.6 inches of rainfall, which is about an inch below the January average.
Barton Springs flow and Lovelady monitor well levels are gradually declining. The most recent manual measurement at Barton Springs recorded 15.6 cubic feet per second (cfs). This is 1.6 cfs above its Stage IV threshold. Lovelady monitor well is 457.8 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl) — a fraction of a foot above its threshold.
View Full Drought Update
Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Kent Butler Scholarships!
The District is excited to announce we’re offering scholarships so five lucky students can attend the five-day overnight Aquatic Science Adventure Camp at Texas State University. If you know a kid who is:
- 9-14 years old
- Attends a school district that overlaps with our territory
- Enthusiastic about science
- Enjoys outdoor activities
Please share this scholarship with them! The application deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025.
Review Application
Texas Science Festival: Guardians of Our Water
Hear from Dr. David Hillis, Director of Biodiversity Center at UT, and the District’s own Justin Camp and as they discuss the discovery of the Barton Springs salamander and ongoing efforts to protect local groundwater resources.
Monday, March 3 at 6pm
Virtual
More Info and Zoom Link
Next Board Meeting
The February board meeting will take place this week at our District office.
Thursday, February 13 at 5pm
1124 Regal Row, Austin, Texas