Initial hydrogeologic studies identified that segments of upper Onion Creek recharge surface water and have an influence on the water levels and chemistry of the groundwater in the Middle Trinity Aquifer. Hydrogeologic and dye-trace studies are currently being conducted to determine the fate of surface water in Onion Creek recharging the Trinity Aquifers.

One question is to determine if recharged surface waters re-emerge further downstream in springs or migrate deeper into the aquifer to discharge from wells, or both. To address these questions, scientific staff from the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD), City of Austin (CoA), Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD), and the Meadows Center for the Environment (Texas State University, TSU) met in 2016 and 2017 to plan a dye-trace study of the upper Onion Creek watershed. Plans for the tracing were also done in consultation with Ozark Underground Laboratory.

Initial dye trace data support previous findings demonstrating clear surface and groundwater interactions along Onion Creek. These results indicate that Onion Creek is hydrologically connected to shallow springs and also to deeper Middle Trinity Aquifer wells and have rapid groundwater flow velocities.

John Dupnik announced his resignation at the January 11th Board meeting.  He has accepted a new position at the Texas Water Development Board as the Deputy Executive Administrator of  the Office of Water, Science and Conservation.

John joined the District in 2005 as Regulatory Compliance Team Leader then in 2013 he was hired by the Board as the General Manager.  John reflects, “My years and experience with the District have been formative and professionally rewarding in every way. The District maintains a reputation as one of the model groundwater conservation districts in the state and I’m proud to have played my small part in its success. I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Board for their support and guidance and to the staff for their passion and professionalism. Together we’ve earned the trust of our community and accomplished so much. This next chapter in my career is a great opportunity to apply what I’ve learned at the District to address the formidable future water challenges we face in our state. I very much look forward to continuing to work with the District in this new capacity.”

The Board will review and approve a transition plan at tonight’s Board meeting.  A job announcement will follow soon.  Board President Blayne Stansberry comments, “John and the entire district team under his management have been invaluable at furthering the scientific understanding of our local aquifers, implementing policies that protect our shared resource, and operating a District that has become a well-respected GCD. I am pleased that John will be able to put his exceptional talent and skills to work for the State of Texas. Although John’s leadership will be missed at the local level, the district staff are an amazing group of intelligent and highly capable people who will continue to uphold the high standards of the BSEACD that John helped achieve.”

Once the GM position is posted, it will be available on the Spotlights section of the District Home Page.

Mark your calendars!  Austin Cave Festival is back and better than ever on Saturday, February 10th.  Join us at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center for cave-focused fun.  Learn about cave critters, groundwater recharge, how to help protect water quality, and test your caving skills through virtual, simulated, and real caves!

At its December 14, 2017 meeting, the Board of Directors selected its 2017 Groundwater Stewardship Award winners. The
District presents these stewardship awards every two years to deserving individuals, organizations, companies or agencies that have invested exemplary effort towards the protection and conservation of water resources in the District.

We are proud to honor this year’s winners:

Permittee of the Year

Ruby Ranch Water Supply Corporation

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Dr. Jack Sharp

Aquifer Advocate Award:

Will Conley

Water Quality Protection:

Protect Our Water

Innovation Award:

City of Austin Watershed Protection Dept.

Education Cave Restoration Team

Education Award:

City of Austin Parks and Recreation Dept.

Sheffield Education Center

Photos of this year’s ceremony will be posted on the Groundwater Stewardship Awards page.

Each year the District, in collaboration with our permittees offers scholarships for two age groups:

• Summer Aquatic Science Adventure Camp (($349-$549)
• Kent Butler Memorial Groundwater Stewardship College Scholarship Essay Contest ($2,500)

For each contest, students must reside in one of the eight school districts overlapping the District boundary. These eight independent school districts are: Austin, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Eanes, Hays Consolidated, Lockhart, San Marcos Consolidated, and Wimberley.  The camp scholarships are open for students ages 9 through 15.  The college essay contest is open for juniors, seniors, and recent graduates.

The District would like to thank Creedmoor-Maha WSC, Goforth SUD, and Texas Lehigh Cement Company for donating all or a portion of their Conservation Credits to the scholarship fund. The scholarship program would not be a success without these generous donations!  Thank you!!!

Upcoming Events, Meetings, & Deadlines

At its December 14, 2017 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District selected its 2017 Groundwater Stewardship Award winners.  The District presents these stewardship awards every two years to deserving individuals, organizations, companies or agencies that have invested exemplary effort towards the protection and conservation of water resources in the District.

“Central Texas continues to experience significant growth.  With increased demands on our resources, there are some incredible examples of ingenuity that help encourage wise water use, land management, and water quality protection that are worthy of special recognition,” noted General Manager John Dupnik.  “We are proud to take a moment to turn the focus on those who have been part of the solution—innovative, creative, inspiring, and passionate folks going above and beyond.”

The District recognizes and commends the following extraordinary efforts to conserve and protect the groundwater resources of the area:

Permittee of the Year:

Ruby Ranch Water Supply Corporation

Over the years, the Ruby Ranch Water Supply Corporation (WSC) has been a collaborative partner with the District in working on local groundwater issues and new and innovative water supply strategies.  This year was especially notable as the Ruby Ranch WSC team began feasibility testing for an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project using their Edwards and Trinity wells.  This ASR project is only the fourth system in Texas and is a unique example of decentralized ASR at the neighborhood scale.  Ruby Ranch WSC worked together with the District to navigate the TCEQ application process, designed and implemented several phased step/cycle testing of injection and recovery, helped collect detailed water quality data, and participated in refining the District rules.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Dr. Jack Sharp

In 32 years at the UT Austin Jackson School of Geosciences, Dr. Sharp has researched and published landmark concepts in Edwards Aquifer related hydrogeology, founded courses to introduce students to groundwater issues in Central Texas, and supervised over 125 students—many of whom chose to research topics that provided valuable insight into groundwater dynamics pertinent to the Aquifer District.

Aquifer Advocate Award:

Will Conley

As Hays County Commissioner, local business owner, and resident of Hays County, Will has been a strong advocate of science-based groundwater management, a proponent for additional monitoring sites to better understand dynamics between the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers, and a political leader in extending groundwater protection in Hays County.  He is a strong advocate for sustainable use of groundwater.

Water Quality Protection Award:

Protect Our Water

The Protect Our Water grassroots advocacy group has been an active, passionate voice during the City of Dripping Springs’ wastewater permit request.  Onion Creek currently recharges both the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers with high quality water which could be compromised with long-term and cumulative direct discharges of treated wastewater.  They have been integrally involved with the permit negotiations, researched possible effects of the proposed permit as it evolved, synthesized and shared research and permit news for downstream land and well owners, and served as a voice for those with similar concerns.  Protect Our Water has provided invaluable perspective, and inspired active citizen engagement throughout the permit process.

Innovation Award:

City of Austin Education Cave Restoration Team

The Education Cave Team has found creative solutions to enhance underground classrooms and provide safe and accessible environments to teach about underground habitats, aquifer dynamics, and water quality protection.  They have formed partnerships to better use the education caves to educate students, teachers, and the general public about the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, and inspire them to be environmental stewards.

Education Award:

City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Sheffield Education Center

The Sheffield Education Center located at Barton Springs hosts an engaging visitor’s center, active education program, and strong community partnerships.  Creative and resourceful staff have extended the Center’s limited funding to allow for significant upgrades to the Splash! Exhibit, expanded programming, and a diverse cross-section of community events.  The Center effectively educates visitors about local endangered species, water quality protection, and responsible land management.

Nominations were made by members of the public and District staff, and the nominees were evaluated and winners selected by the Board of Directors.

BSEACD is a groundwater conservation district charged by the Texas Legislature to preserve, conserve, and protect the aquifers and groundwater resources within its jurisdiction, which includes parts of three Central Texas counties.  It is governed by a Board of five elected directors and staffed with hydrogeologists, groundwater regulatory compliance specialists, environmental educators, geospatial systems specialists, and administrative support personnel.

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• Groundwater Stewardship Awards page
• Interactive District map with address search
• Archive of Press Releases