Recent rains have provided some relief from drought conditions, but aquifer levels are continuing to drop again. While the Barton Springs flow has remained above its threshold since mid-May, the Lovelady well fell below its threshold on July 13th. However, at its regular meeting on July 24th, the Board of Directors decided not to declare Stage II Alarm Drought to allow for more time to assess aquifer conditions. That means, without significant rainfall, that the Board will likely declare Stage II Alarm Drought at their regularly scheduled meeting on August 14th.
Permittees should begin making preparations for implementation of their User Drought Contingency Plans (UDCPs). If State II Alarm drought is declared in August, September will be the first full month of declared drought and the District will be assessing compliance with the monthly pumpage limits for September in early October when the monthly pumpage reports are due.
Groundwater users are encouraged to continue to conserve. Water conservation can prolong the time spent out of groundwater drought and protect water levels and springflow at Barton Springs.
Current Aquifer Conditions (7/29/14)
| Drought Indicators | Current Conditions | Stage II Alarm Trigger | Stage III Critical Trigger | Stage IV Exceptional Trigger | Emergency Response |
| Barton Springs Discharge
(10-day avg.) |
47
cfs |
38
cfs |
20
cfs |
14
cfs |
10
cfs |
| Lovelady Indicator Well
(water level elevation – feet above mean sea level) |
476.6
ft-msl |
478.4
ft-msl |
462.7
ft-msl |
457.1
ft-msl |
453.4
ft-msl
|
Click here to view the current District drought poster.