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Barton Springs / Edwards Aquifer District News – December 2015

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Water Level Responses to Rain

Both the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers are present in our District. Water levels in both aquifers rise once rains saturate soils and cause runoff to recharge zone creeks. This year between October 24 and October 31, our area saw between 11 and 20 inches. Local creeks and rivers experienced record flow. What happened in the groundwater systems is a little harder to visualize, but data from the monitor well network captured the aquifer response.

The District maintains about 38 monitor wells (29 Edwards, 9 Trinity) throughout the BSEACD. Monitor wells located in both the Edwards and Trinity aquifers reported quick responses to the recharge. Pressure transducers in some of the monitor wells were downloaded in mid-November; many more will be visited in the coming weeks. Measurements suggest water levels in Edwards wells rose between 3 and 11 feet–others likely show even more significant increases. Water levels in Trinity wells (completed in the Lower Glen Rose and Cow Creek formations) rose between 2 and 7 feet.

Calling for Groundwater Stewardship Award Nominations

Every other year, the District recognizes individuals and groups that have invested exemplary efforts towards the protection and conservation of water resources in the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. Awards are given for Aquifer Advocate, Innovation, Research and Education, and Water Quality Protection. Help us recognize and applaud those who have gone above and beyond.

The District will be accepting nominations through January 20, 2015. All nominees will receive a heartfelt thank you and will be acknowledged at a Board Meeting. Winners will receive an award and will be honored at a catered awards luncheon in early March. Please take a moment to recognize the good deeds and efforts of those around you. We are all in this together. Nominate an exemplary groundwater steward today!

Groundwater Stewardship Award Nominations

Anyone can nominate an individual or group to recognize them as exeptional groundwater stewards. Nominations are due Wed., January 20, 2016 by 5pm.

Join us in honoring outstanding efforts! View event details here.

Temporary Permit Updates

By now all new Temporary Permit holders have received their temporary permit certificate and a billing invoice in the mail. The District is continuing to process these temporary permits for conversion to a regular permit. In doing so the permittees were required to install a meter and submit a meter reading by 12/5/15.

Staff will be corresponding with applicants in December to identify any remaining application materials that are still needed for a regular permit. Late February/ early March is the deadline for all applications to be administratively complete. Four of the applicants requested a permit volume that will require them to conduct an aquifer test as part of their application requirements. Those aquifer tests will take place during the months of January – March 2016. In preparation for those aquifer tests, staff will continue to refine the work plans and establish well monitoring sites.

Once all of the applications are administratively complete there will be a published public notice and the public will have the opportunity to submit comments and/or request a contested case hearing. There will also be public hearings scheduled in April/ May for the four larger permits.

Read more here

Upcoming Events, Meetings, & Deadlines

Sat., Dec. 5: Permittee meter readings due (details)
Thurs., Dec. 17: BSEACD Board Meeting (details)
Dec 23-25: Christmas Holiday – Office closed
Fri., Jan. 1: New Year’s Day – Office closed
Tues., Jan 5: Permittee meter readings due (details)
Thurs., Jan 14: BSEACD Board Meeting (details)
Wed., Jan. 20 Groundwater Stewardship Nominations (details)
Thurs. and Fri. Nov. 26-27: Thanksgiving – Office closed

Current Drought Stage:
NO DROUGHT

The District uses two drought triggers to manage pumping and coordinate conservation.

Barton Springs: 10-day avg flow: 98 cfs
This average reflects the significant recharge provided by late October rains.

Love Lady Well: Water level: 517 ft above msl
In response to the recent rains, the water level has risen 7 ft since late October. This well is completed in the matrix of the aquifer and typically shows slow and steady water level changes.

Read more here