Drought stage nearing ‘emergency’ without rain
The aquifer levels across the county and in Wimberley reached historic lows, causing regulatory agencies to start making calls for more drastic conservation measures.
“Aquifer and river conditions have not been this poor in the 20+ year history of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District — including the 2011 drought,” the district sent out in an email. “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.”
According to the release, “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 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.”
On July 27, zero flow was recorded at Jacob’s Well for the fourth time in recorded history. The U.S. Geological Survey measured zero cubic feet per second discharge from Jacob’s Well, Hays County’s Parks and Recreation Department said.
The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association said flow ceasing at Jacob’s Well had serious ramifications for the surrounding community as the Middle Trinity Aquifer is both a major water supply for the area and the water source for Jacob’s Well, the headwaters of Cypress Creek located near Wimberley.
“Jacob’s Well spring flow is directly affected by drought and groundwater pumping,” said Robin Gary, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association managing director. “Jacob’s Well is an effective drought indicator for the area.”
Segments of Cypress Creek went dry with little to no flow coming from Jacob’s Well over the summer months. The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association said the few deep pools along Cypress Creek remaining are sustained by local, gallons-per-minute springs within the creek bed and provide the only sanctuary for wildlife and aquatic species.
At the end of July, four of the six wells the water supply corporation uses were lower than they were in July of 2011, the worst drought in Texas in the last 50 years. The water level in the wells on Wayside Drive were 178 feet over the pump static level, which is 21 feet lower than in July of 2011. In Wimberley Hills, the water level was 12 feet lower. The Eagle Rock well and the South River well were both seven feet lower.
“Rainfall is the key,” Allen said. “It always is. What is happening is the reason why the aquifer is the way it is in this drought is a combination of lack of rainfall not just here but where our recharge is. You have to travel out to Blanco County and Gillespie County and further west where we get our recharge… What has happened is there are so many straws in the ground up that way because of development and people moving in. They are beating us to the water. The recharge is not making it here. It is a lack of rainfall, the population increase or the combination of both.”
“What we are trying to get across to our customers, with a lack of rainfall in the forecast and people who have lived here long enough know, this isn’t going to change,” Allen added. “It is not going to get any better… If we get more rain, you’re still playing catch up. What we are telling customers is you are going to have to get used to this weather, this climate and these restrictions. They are not going away.”
Accordingly, the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation moved into stage three water restrictions on Aug. 1. That meant the corporation, and its customers, would need to see a 30% reduction in total water use and daily water demand based on historical average for previous 60 days daily pumpage. That was not achieved in stage two restrictions, which required a 20% curtailment.
Garrett Allen, general manager of the Wimberley Water Supply Corporation, said the pumpage in Wimberley in July was “probably at a 10 year high.”
“That was a combination of usage by customers, but also leaks on our side,” Allen said. “We repaired a lot of leaks throughout the summer. As dry as it has been, and as brown as it has been, it has been a little easier to locate those leaks.”
Residents and businesses in Hays County are heavily reliant on groundwater, making conservation the key to extending the existing groundwater supplies until wet weather can provide the rainfall, runoff, and recharge needed to replenish groundwater systems, the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association said. Coordinated conservation is essential to safeguard water supplies and environmental flows in springs, creeks and rivers. Homeowners can substantially reduce water use by turning off outdoor irrigation systems and restricting outdoor water use.