Environment
BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ & JAMIE MOORE
Hays County water sources decline
Local impacts
Canyon Lake is facing similar challenges to the Edwards Aquifer, with both water sources strained by ongoing drought and increased demand. Canyon Lake, located in Comal County, is a major water source for many Central Texas communities, including San Marcos, New Braunfels and parts of the Hill Country. As of May 29, Canyon Lake is 45.4% full, down from 57.6% the year prior, marking one of the worst years since before the 1970s, according to Water Data for Texas. As water levels decline, communities relying on Canyon Lake, along with other resources such as the Edwards Aquifer, have implemented restrictions to conserve their limited supplies. These include but are not limited to Kyle, Buda and San Marcos. Buda, Kyle and San Marcos are facing Stage 3 drought restrictions due to low water availability as of June 6.
Water levels in the Edwards Aquifer have hit historic lows, prompting the Edwards Aquifer Authority to implement restrictions on the amount of water that permit holders can withdraw from the aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer serves 2.5 million people across Central Texas counties, including Bexar, Hays, Caldwell and other counties. The EAA implemented Stage 4 critical period management May 29, a week after declaring Stage 5 due to declining aquifer conditions, according to a May 23 news release. Stage 4 mandates permit holders to reduce groundwater withdrawal by 40%. Water levels have not been that low since June 1990, the news release states. The last time the aquifer recorded lower water levels was in 1956, during the Texas drought of record, the worst drought in the state’s history. The Edwards Aquifer has 68 permits in Hays
Hays County water supply vs. demand
Existing supply
Projected demand
Acre-feet per year
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
SOURCE: TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
County, including the city of Kyle, Texas State University, South Hays Emergency Service District No. 3 and Aqua Texas.
34
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook