February 2007
For more information, visit our website: www.bseacd.org
In This Issue...
BSEACD January to April Aquifer Bulletin
ALARM STAGE DROUGHT DECLARED
Austin Nature Day Caving Trips
Volunteers Needed for Creek Cleanup
TEXAS: STATE OF SPRINGS Documentary Tonight
Mission: The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is committed to conserving, protecting, recharging, and preventing waste of groundwater and to preserving all aquifers within the District. The District was created in 1987 by the Texas Legislature as the responsible public authority and the preferred entity for managing groundwater in District aquifers.
BSEACD January to April Aquifer Bulletin
A link to the latest edition of the Barton Springs/ Edwards Aquifer Conservation District's Aquifer Bulletin is provided below. This comprehensive, new edition covers what last month's heavy rains meant to our aquifer levels; an article on aquifer caps from the District's GM; answers to frequently asked questions about groundwater drought management by the District; and an interview with our Director of Precinct 1, Mr. Chuck Murphy. (NOTE: The BSEACD drought status was changed from CRITICAL to ALARM on January 25, 2007, which was after the printing of the January to April Aquifer Bulletin. Current drought information can be found below and atwww.bseacd.org.) Clickhere for the latest edition of the Aquifer Bulletin.
ALARM STAGE DROUGHT DECLARED
At its January 25, 2007, Board Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District voted to declare a change in aquifer drought status from Critical to Alarm Stage Drought. Heavy rains on January 13 and more moderate precipitation since then have brought about increased recharge to the aquifer as indicated by increased flow at Barton Springs and higher water levels in groundwater monitoring wells. Alarm Stage Drought requires a 20% mandatory reduction in the authorized monthly use from all its permittees and affects all groundwater users in the District.
However, if more substantial rainfall amounts aren't received this spring, the District may re-enter Critical Stage as early as April or May. Groundwater users are urged to continue to minimize water use and to adopt water-wise habits as part of everyday life.
Clickhere for more information on this drought declaration.
To view the current drought status figure, click on the image below.
| Newsletter Update |
Austin Nature Day Caving Trips
Join the District as we help celebrate the third annual Austin Nature Days Event. This event is patterned after the successful Austin Museum Day, and brings over twenty Austin area environmental and cultural organizations together to celebrate the city's beauty, vitality, and diversity of natural landscapes and resources. During the month of April, over two-dozen events will offer activities (most at no-cost) like stargazing, guided walks, informational talks, and local museum tours. This April the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and the Texas Cave Management Association will lead trips inside the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer at Whirlpool Cave. This two hour gentle (but on hands and knees) caving trip gives you a first hand look at one of the many karst features that helps make our aquifer one of the most bountiful and sensitive in the state. Hurry! Space is limited, and reservations are required. Date: Saturday, April 21, 2007 Location: At Convict Hill and Brush Country Roads, off of Wm. Cannon and MoPac, across the street southwest of the new Costco. Ages: 6 years and older (children/young teens must be accompanied an adult) Trip Times: Group One: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Group Two: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Equipment Rental (safety equipment is required for all): $10/person (helmets, lights, elbow & knee pads, gloves) What to Wear: Long pants, old clothes, long sleeve shirt, and boots or closed-toed shoes. It's 70° inside the cave. Contact: Jennee Galland at BSEACD at (512) 282-8441 to reserve your spot. For more information on all Nature Day activities, visit:www.austinnatureday.org.
Volunteers Needed for Creek Cleanup
This year is Keep Austin Beautiful's 22nd Annual Citywide Cleanup Event known as Clean Sweep. Cleanup events will be held on March 31, 2007 all across Austin and will be followed by a "Thank You Party" with live music at Fiesta Gardens on Town Lake . For more information, please visitwww.keepaustinbeautiful.org. Join the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and the City of Sunset Valley as we clean up Williamson Creek, which is one of the six creeks that recharges the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. We will be concentrating on a section that runs through a commercial area where trash is plentiful. This event is appropriate for children over 6, and all children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Clickhere to find more about the cleanup or contact Jennee Galland at the District's office at 512-282-8441.
TEXAS: STATE OF SPRINGS Documentary Tonight
February 15, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS
If you miss the first airing of this show on February 15, there are several additional times when you can catch it. Clickhere for a full schedule.
The latest video documentary from TPWD about water resources, "Texas: The State of Springs", will air at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 15th on all Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations in the state. This year's documentary will examine the historical decline of springs across the state and explore current groundwater and land use issues that impact spring flow.
Clickhere to find more about the documentary.