Hydrologic Conditions: Texas, March 2016

Edwards Aquifer

San Antonio Pool

The J-17 Well elevation again dropped slightly, but still sits below the average elevation and above the Stage 1 trigger (see chart).

 

J-17 (San Antonio) Mar 2016_WEB

 

The pool was in a critical management period most of 2015. Heavy rain and flooding in the spring provided a two-month respite from all pumping restrictions. But Stage 1 restrictions were imposed at the end of June. In mid-August, EAA announced a return to Stage 2 restrictions, which require all permit holders in the pool to reduce their annual authorized pumping by 30%. Does the decline over the last two months portend a pattern of decline, or will the spring bring rains that increase the level back toward the historical average?

 

Uvalde Pool

The J-27 Well continues its climb toward the historical average (see chart). Heavy rains and flooding last spring marked the beginning of a turnaround that brought the pool from Stage 5 restrictions at the beginning of last year to the eventual lifting of all pumping restrictions. Prior to EAA lifting all pumping restrictions in early August, the Uvalde Pool had been under some level of restriction since March 2013.

 

J-27 (Uvalde) Mar 2016_WEB

 

With the well elevation still climbing, will spring rains drive the J-27 Well elevation to meet the historical average?