Jacobs Well Groundwater Management Zone moves out of ‘Maximum Drought’

Effective June 1, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District Board of Directors voted to move the Jacobs Well Groundwater Management Zone out of maximum drought stage into 20% curtailment status.

“After so many months of 30% curtailment, we are pleased to see springflow at Jacobs Well improve.” said Linda Kaye Rogers, Wimberley’s Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District director. “Even though we have a long way to go, things are improving.”

Recent rains have seeped into our aquifers, and the Management Zone’s trigger at Jacob’s Well shows increased flows. When the rains come, the aquifers recharge in a slow process beginning in the Counties to our west. Much of Hays County’s aquifer recharge must travel underground from Gillespie and Blanco Counties. That flow rate is slow, especially at the end of a long dry spell when thirsty plants are absorbing all the moisture they can and there is lots of empty aquifer space to fill.

One analogy is the aquifer can act like a sponge. It takes time for water to saturate the sponge before it can be useful.

“In addition to a greener landscape, we are seeing well levels improve,” said District Manager Charlie Flatten. “The aquifer is not out of drought, but if the rains continue, water level conditions will continue to improve.”

The 20% curtailment will help prolong groundwater availability for all users. Groundwater users, whether 0served by a water utility or well, should reduce water use by 20%, which usually can be achieved by limiting outdoor water use.

Jacobs Well spring flow is the District’s trigger for drought curtailment in the JWGMZ, because it is an indicator of groundwater storage within the zone. 20% Curtailment is called for if flow drops below a 10-day average of five cubic feet per second (CFS) as measured by the US Geologic Survey (USGS) flow gauge at the spring. Average spring flow exceeding 6-CFS over a 10-day period will bring the JWGMZ out of drought curtailment.

Though the immediate rainfall forecast shows no major rain events, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts average rainfall through the rest of the summer.

Please visit HaysGroundwater.com for more drought information and tips on in home conservation.