Austin Watershed Protection and District staff obtained a manual measurement of Barton Springs flow yesterday. Discharge is now 17 cubic feet per second (cfs), up from our last measurement of 12.5 cfs. The recent rainfall has resulted in an increase in both Barton Springs flow and Lovelady monitor well groundwater levels. The rainfall has kept the District in Stage 3 Exceptional Drought, but it hasn't been enough to move us into Stage 2 Critical Drought.
May is the rainiest month of the year for the area and has a historical average of 5 inches. The 10-day forecast shows multiple days with a chance of rain. Here's hoping for above average rainfall for May and into the summer months!
Learn more at https://bseacd.org/drought-status/
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD)
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The District boundary encompasses approximately 247 square miles in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, and Travis Counties.
We are a groundwater conservation district tasked by the Texas Legislature to work with well owners to conserve and protect the Edwards and Trinity aquifers and groundwater resources within our territory. The area has a long history of farming, ranching, and rural domestic use of groundwater, but it is increasingly and rapidly being converted to residential use owing to suburban and exurban develo
💧April Drought Update💧
The District remains in Stage 3 Exceptional Drought. While April’s overall temperature was above average, it was also our first month with above average rainfall since July of 2025. April is normally our 10th wettest month, and this year it brought almost as much rain as our wettest month (May).
This rainfall greened up the landscape and resulted in some increased springflow, groundwater levels, and creek flow. We will need to see above average rainfall to continue this positive trajectory and prevent a Stage 4 Emergency declaration this summer.
Read the full Drought Update via the link in our bio.
05/05/2026
The District is now hiring its next Communications & Outreach Manager! This position is full-time, hybrid, and based in the Austin area. We're looking for someone with experience in communications, community engagement, and media relations. A passion for natural resources management and public service is a plus!
View the full job description at www.bseacd.org/careers. Application deadline is May 26 at 8am.
04/30/2026
We often talk about drought and population growth, but how exactly do they impact Texas' beloved springs and streams?
Take a couple of minutes to watch "The Quick Story of Water in Texas". This short animation discusses the connection between our rivers and aquifers and how water resources are managed by the state.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frujDjJzJ0I&t=148s
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Animation by Our Desired Future.
Our Desired Future 30 likes, 2 comments. "The Quick Story of Water in Texas"
04/28/2026
Save Texas Streams' next monthly talk will feature Charlie Flatten, General Manager of the District. Charlie will discuss the history of the District and how groundwater is managed in Central Texas. These monthly talks are a great opportunity to meet other conservation-minded people and learn about local natural resources.
Wednesday, May 20
7:00-8:00pm
La Madeleine
5493 Brodie Lane, Austin, TX 78745
Learn more by visiting www.savetexasstreams.org/monthlytalks
04/23/2026
With all the recent rain, what if you could capture thousands of gallons of water right from your own roof?
Join us next week for an Intro to Rainwater Harvesting and learn how to turn that idea into reality. We’ll cover:
💧 The current state of our local aquifers
💧 How rainwater harvesting supports conservation
💧 Simple steps to start your own system
April 28, 2026
1:00–2:30 PM
Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church
26650 Ranch Rd 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Come ready to learn, ask questions, and get inspired! Register for free at www.eventbrite.com/e/1979758756735
04/21/2026
Our very own Erin Swanson, Regulatory Compliance Manager, was chosen as a 2026 Texas Water Leader! We're excited for her to expand her leadership skills and share her extensive knowledge of groundwater management with other participants. Congrats, Erin!
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Pictured: The 2026 Texas Water Leaders. Erin is the first image on the left in the second row.
We're excited to announce our 2026 Texas Water Leaders.
Each year, 20 water leaders are selected to engage in eight months of training covering team management, conflict resolution, and public speaking among other leadership skills. Throughout the program, water leaders will expand their leadership potential while building valuable connections with one another. Learn more about this year's class: www.texaswater.org/news/announcing-the-2026-class-of-texas-water-leaders
🌧️Rainfall Update🌧️
Spring has (re)entered the building!
This weather system has brought just what we need to help with drought conditions:
✅ Easy gentle rainfall which allows water to refill groundwater
✅ Widespread rain across the aquifers recharge zones
✅ Some flow is starting to happen in local creeks and streams
✅ Chances of rain continues over the next several days
While it won't bust the drought, this rain will help boost springflow and stabilize, if not increase, groundwater levels. Now let's just rinse, repeat, and have these conditions through the rest of the year... (One can dream, right?)
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Footage from today of Onion Creek under Old San Antonio Road near Manchaca.
04/17/2026
We're grateful for the recent rain, but remember we're still in drought! The recharge zone needs this gentle rainfall to continue over months and years to bust this drought.
Updated drought monitor: Drastically different? No, but it is better than it was and poised to further improve over the next week or two.
Some of the Hill Country is now free of drought, and southern Fayette County has improved from extreme to severe drought. This is all thanks to 1-5" rain totals (isolated 5-8" totals) across Central Texas in the first half of April, and we have another 1-3" lined up over the next week.
In Texas, drought improvement either comes rapidly with a biblical flood or slowly with steady rain chances. I much prefer the latter as it does a better job of helping out the aquifers, but that obviously requires some patience. Good things happening in April!
04/15/2026
“From Buda down in Manchaca and Buda down to San Marcos, they rely heavily on groundwater. It’s critical that we manage that resource in a way that we can rely on it for many years into the future.”
Recently, Charlie Flatten had a great conversation with with Freddy Vela on KXAN News about drought, needed rainfall, and transitioning into his current role as general manager of the District.
Check out the full conversation below:
https://www.kxan.com/weather/weather-blog/new-aquifer-leader-talks-future-of-district-and-stage-4-drought/amp/
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