Texas climatologists warn of prolonged drought
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Clearwater Trinity Aquifer website Findings
TRINITY AQUIFER
copied from the clearwater website
The Trinity Aquifer, a major aquifer, extends across much of the central and northeastern part of the state. It is composed of several smaller aquifers contained within the Trinity Group. Al¬though referred to differently in different parts of the state, they include the Antlers, Glen Rose, Paluxy, Twin Mountains, Travis Peak, Hensell, and Hosston aquifers. These aquifers consist of limestones, sands, clays, gravels, and conglomerates. Their combined freshwater saturated thickness averages about 600 feet in North Texas and about 1,900 feet in Central Texas. In general, groundwater is fresh but very hard in the outcrop of the aquifer. Total dissolved solids increase from less than 1,000 milligrams per liter in the east and southeast to between 1,000 and 5,000 milligrams per liter, or slightly to moderately saline, as the depth to the aquifer increases. Sulfate and chloride concentrations also tend to increase with depth. The Trinity Aquifer discharges to a large number of springs, with most dis¬charging less than 10 cubic feet per second. The aquifer is one of the most extensive and highly used groundwater resources in Texas. Although its primary use is for municipalities, it is also used for irrigation, livestock, and other domestic purposes. Some of the state’s largest water level declines, ranging from 350 to more than 1,000 feet, have occurred in counties along the IH-35 corridor from McLennan County to Grayson County. These declines are primarily attributed to municipal pumping, but they have slowed over the past decade as a result of increasing reliance on surface water. The regional water planning groups, in their 2006 Regional Water Plans, recommended numerous water management strategies for the Trinity Aquifer, including de¬veloping new wells and well fields, pumping more water from existing wells, overdrafting, reallocating supplies, and using surface water and groundwater conjunctively.
copied from https://haysgroundwater.com/drought-management/
DROUGHT ALERT!
The Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District is in:
40% Curtailment (“Emergency Stage”) of groundwater pumping District-wide and,
30% Curtailment (“Emergency Stage”) of groundwater pumping within the Jacob’s Well Groundwater Management Zone.
In order to help ensure the health of the aquifer and its residents, please protect your aquifer by limiting water use.
An urgent message to groundwater users in the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District,
Extreme heat and drought conditions have gripped the western United States in an unprecedented combination. Western Hays County and the Hill Country have not received adequate rain to keep our rivers and streams flowing or to recharge our aquifers. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauges in the Pedernales and Blanco Rivers are recording zero to near-zero flows. The USGS reports similar zero-flow conditions in the South Llano, the Frio, the Sabinal, and the Medina Rivers. The Colorado and Guadalupe Rivers are declining as well. The US Drought Monitor reports western Hays County in Extreme and Exceptional Drought. The District’s Monitor Well System shows declining water levels. The District and local well drillers are responding to a significant increase of dry-wells and burnt-out well pumps. Water haulers are trucking at full capacity.
HTGCD was featured in a video made by the Texas Water Newsroom, produced by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), highlighting the importance of groundwater monitoring and sampling efforts. Follow this link to watch the video.
Aquifer and River conditions have not been this poor in the 20+ year history of the District — including the 2011 Drought. Unless conditions improve by the end of July, the District will enter into EMERGENCY DROUGHT STAGE requiring a 40% reduction in use. Non-Exempt well operators will be required to substantially curtail water use. If you are served by a utility or public water supply, it will be alerting you of its own specific curtailment requirements. Please reduce water use by all means possible. Make sure that dishwashers and washing machines are full before running them. Repair all known leaks. Please eliminate all outdoor water use including car washing, lawn watering, sidewalk and driveway washing. Please turn off all outdoor water features, including fountains. Please turn off swimming pool and pond pumps.
The sooner and more serious we are about conserving our drinking water, the longer the supply will last. Most of us do not have an alternative water supply, so please practice maximum efficiency and thrift until the rains return.
The Drought Contingency Plan containing Rules 13 and 15 is available here.
The HTGCD uses Pedernales and Blanco River streamflow as District-wide drought indicators because these rivers are recharge features of our aquifers. Aquifer recharge occurs relatively slowly, and streamflow indicates the current and future health of the Trinity Aquifer in the District — and therefore determines what stage of drought we must observe.
Data shows healthy streamflow in the Perdernales River is above 31.6 cubic feet per second (cfs), and 28.5 cfs in the Blanco River. The District recommends conservative use of water when streamflow is healthy.
When streamflow drops below a drought trigger — shown in the table below as “Alarm,” “Critical,” and “Emergency” — a daily counter begins. If the counter for both drought indicators reaches 30 days, the District Board will declare the appropriate drought stage.
To move out of a drought stage, both drought indicators must flow 60 consecutive days above the current drought trigger in order to give aquifers time to recharge. The declaration of the District coming out of drought stage will go into effect on the next Board Meeting.
So, though Hays County may be out of atmospheric drought and have full ponds and lush landscape, the aquifer that feeds your well requires a longer time to catch up with the surface conditions.
Discharge Flow Rate30 Day Mean60 Day Mean Alarm Trigger Critical Trigger Emergency Trigger Region Pedernales Rv nr Johnson City, TX (08153500) as of 2022-07-3000.04 31.6 10.22.23Days with flow Below Stage Trigger30+30+30+Region LBlanco Rv at Wimberley, TX (08171000) as of 2022-07-307.49.21 28.5 14.59.28Days with flow Below Stage
Streamflow is measured by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) gages at the Blanco River in Wimberley and the Pedernales River in Johnson City. These gage readings are represented by the graphs above. More information about the Blanco and Pedernales River can be found by clicking the USGS symbol to the left of the name in the table above.
HTGCD Zone
Today, we measured water levels in nine wells that participated in last year’s site visits in and around Burnett Ranches. Middle Trinity Aquifer water levels in six wells were about 6-7 feet lower than they were last year. The HTGCD ESD Monitor Well near Burnett Ranch Road and RR 2325 shows a 6-foot decline from last year’s water level–a good reference for Middle Trinity well owners.
The two Lower Trinity Aquifer wells showed a 15-20 foot decline compared to last year’s water levels.
Check water levels near you on the District’s Monitor Well map: Water Level Monitoring – Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (haysgroundwater.com)
At this Thursday’s HTGCD meeting, staff will likely discuss groundwater trends throughout the District during the monitor well and science reports. Groundwater levels, spring flow, and creek flow are very low. To preserve existing water supplies until wet weather returns, please conserve water by restricting or stopping outdoor irrigation. The HTGCD declared Emergency Drought with a 40% reduction in pumping on Saturday.
Grim predictions say 9 more years of Texas drought possible
Application to exploit the texas underground water supply
RREAF Holdings, LLC and the Hanks-Cabiness Christian Trust has applied to the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District for a permit to extract 6,256,339 gallons of underground water a year to irrigate the landscaping at the Sanctuary apartment complex located in Salado, Texas now under construction. The State of Texas, along with the State of Texas Climatologist at College Station Texas, has compiled data on the scarcity of underground water in Texas, the diminishing supply of water in the state and the continuing drought conditions in Texas.
Drought Resilience and Water Conservation | US EPA
About Us
Who we are
why grow native plants
why grow native plants
We are a group of individuals interested in preserving the natural flora and fauna of the beautiful state of Texas. Our membership is a very diverse group comprised of professional botanists, a physicist, business people, retired couples, families with children and young singles. We encourage the use of native plants at every oppo
We are a group of individuals interested in preserving the natural flora and fauna of the beautiful state of Texas. Our membership is a very diverse group comprised of professional botanists, a physicist, business people, retired couples, families with children and young singles. We encourage the use of native plants at every opportunity and hold classes and seminars to further our endeavors.
The threat to our native wildlife due to habitat loss and chemical abuse is a danger that cannot be ignored. Our fresh water resources are at risk from agriculture, manufacturing and oil & gas. Our goal is to rescue endangered and native plants whenever possible, encourage the reintroduction of native plants into the ecosystem & to educate the populace as to the value of a natural environment.
why grow native plants
why grow native plants
why grow native plants
Most Central Texas native plants are naturally drought-tolerant, resistant to pests and diseases, require less fertilizing and pesticides, and are an important sources of food for wildlife including bees, butterflies, & birds out natural pollinator's.
For a complete list of native plants please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/departm
Most Central Texas native plants are naturally drought-tolerant, resistant to pests and diseases, require less fertilizing and pesticides, and are an important sources of food for wildlife including bees, butterflies, & birds out natural pollinator's.
For a complete list of native plants please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/department/grow-green Guide to Central Texas plants. "Grow Green is a gardening education program that promotes sustainable landscaping practices. It addresses water quality and conservation, recycling, and an Integrated Pest Management philosophy, which encourages the least-toxic way to address pest issues" or www.wildflower.org the website of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center / The University of Texas at Austin.
pollinators
why grow native plants
pollinators
Hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies are hard-working animals helping to pollinate over 75% of our flowering plants, and nearly 75% of our crops. They carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. Without them, wildlife would have fewer nutritious berries and seeds, and we would miss many fruits
Hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies are hard-working animals helping to pollinate over 75% of our flowering plants, and nearly 75% of our crops. They carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. Without them, wildlife would have fewer nutritious berries and seeds, and we would miss many fruits, vegetables, and nuts, such as blueberries, squash, and almonds to name a few.
They play a crucial role in flowering plant reproduction and in the production of most fruits and vegetables. Without the assistance of pollinator's, most plants cannot produce fruits and seeds. The fruits and seeds of flowering plants are an important food source for people and wildlife. Some of the seeds that are not eaten will eventually produce new plants, helping to maintain the plant population.