EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY
The Edwards Aquifer Authority has declared Stage 5 Critical Period Management for Edwards groundwater permit holders in the San Antonio Pool of the EAA’s jurisdiction (Medina, Bexar and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties) based on declining aquifer conditions effective Friday, May 23. Today, the ten-day average at the J-17 index well is 624.7 feet above mean sea level (ft. msl), which is within the Stage 5 threshold for the EAA Critical Period Management Plan. Additionally, the ten-day average at Comal Springs is 53 cubic feet per second (cfs), and the San Marcos Springs ten-day average is 86 cubic feet per second (cfs).
According to EAA data, the measured water level in the J-17 index well in Bexar County is 33 feet below historical average (as of May 23), the rate of spring flow at Comal Springs is 242 cfs below historic average and 98 cfs below historic average at San Marcos Springs (as of May 22). The most re- cent U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of the Edwards region under exceptional drought conditions. The last time the level at the J-17 index well was this low was in June 1990. The only other time levels were lower was during 1956 also known as the drought of record, which is the worst drought in Texas history.
CPM Stage 5 for the San Antonio Pool reduces the annual authorized withdrawal amounts available to affected Edwards groundwater permit holders by 44% of their withdrawal amounts based on the number of days CPM is in effect for the indicated stage reduction. These reductions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually. This includes industrial and agricultural users, as well as water utilities authorized to pump water from the Edwards Aquifer for delivery to their respective customers. All affected permit holders must also report their pumping totals to the EAA on a monthly basis.
Residents and businesses within those counties who receive their water from a public water system should follow their respective water providers’ directives regarding water use practices. It should be noted that the EAA does not enforce lawn watering activities or other general water limitations beyond the curtailment of withdrawals from the Edwards Aquifer. Any enforcement of such activities or limitations is enforced by a municipality. The EAA does not regulate the general public but instead regulates Edwards well
owners with withdrawal permits authorizing their right to pump from the aquifer.
The EAA is a groundwater conservation district that manages, enhances and protects the Edwards Aquifer, a major groundwater system serving approximately two-andone- half million South Central Texans. The EAA jurisdiction spans across 8 counties including Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, and parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Hays counties.
More information can be found at: edward saquifer.org/groundwat er-users/critical-period -drought-management.
Image shows intensity of drought in Texas. Legend is from no drought where the map is white and Exceptional Drought where the map is darkest. Graphic authored by Rocky Bilotta NCEI/NOAA
