Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD)

06/15/2026

Same pool, different day 🌧️

Barton Springs is flowing at 74 cfs today, up from about 25 cfs before the recent rains. That's roughly 550 gallons of water flowing every second and nearly three times the flow we saw yesterday.

Over the last 24 hours, much of the Barton Springs watershed and recharge zone received 3-4 inches of rain, with some areas seeing more than 4 inches.

This is a visible reminder of how quickly the Edwards Aquifer can respond when the rain finally arrives.

The rain has brought much-needed recharge to the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, and we're seeing that reflected in springflow and in the amount of water moving through local creeks. While this is encouraging, it doesn't mean we're out of drought conditions yet.

If you're heading out for the day, remember that creeks and low water crossings can change quickly after rain. Stay aware of conditions and be safe.

Water connects us all, and right now, it's moving fast 💦

06/09/2026

Please be cautious of blue-green algae in and near bodies of water throughout the area. This is especially important with pets and kids!

Austin’s waterways are home to many different types of algae that play important roles in the natural world. However, if there’s excessive algae, it can hurt rather than help the environment.

06/03/2026

Are you looking to learn more about native landscaping for your yard?🪻🪻🪻

The Hill Country Alliance is hosting a FREE webinar on Tuesday, June 16 that will cover all the elements of a successful native landscape, reading your landscape, and additional resources for getting started on your own water-wise native landscape!

Click the link below to register. We hope to see you there! ☀
bit.ly/NativeLandscapingWebinar

05/28/2026

What happens when a creek disappears underground? Yesterday, we traced the journey of water through the karst landscapes of the Trinity Aquifer.

Dye tracing uses nontoxic dyes to track the speed, path, and connectivity of groundwater flow. A small amount of traceable and highly visible dye was introduced to a well or cave to map the hidden drainage networks of the limestone aquifers.

Over the next few days and weeks, the Bureau of Economic Geology and student researchers from UT Jackson School of Geosciences will be monitoring nearby wells and springs for signs of the dye.

While we’re not managing this trace, we’ve been involved in many dye traces since the 1990s.

Dye tracing is an important tool for understanding how groundwater moves so we can better understand recharge, potential contamination, and flow paths of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers.

-

Photos taken May 26 near Hamilton Pool.

05/28/2026

While these specific karst features are outside of the District's boundaries, they help provide recharge for portions of the aquifers we oversee!

05/13/2026

Austin Watershed Protection and District staff obtained a manual measurement of Barton Springs flow yesterday. Discharge is now 17 cubic feet per second (cfs), up from our last measurement of 12.5 cfs. The recent rainfall has resulted in an increase in both Barton Springs flow and Lovelady monitor well groundwater levels. The rainfall has kept the District in Stage 3 Exceptional Drought, but it hasn't been enough to move us into Stage 2 Critical Drought.

May is the rainiest month of the year for the area and has a historical average of 5 inches. The 10-day forecast shows multiple days with a chance of rain. Here's hoping for above average rainfall for May and into the summer months!

Learn more at https://bseacd.org/drought-status/

05/11/2026

💧April Drought Update💧
The District remains in Stage 3 Exceptional Drought. While April’s overall temperature was above average, it was also our first month with above average rainfall since July of 2025. April is normally our 10th wettest month, and this year it brought almost as much rain as our wettest month (May).

This rainfall greened up the landscape and resulted in some increased springflow, groundwater levels, and creek flow. We will need to see above average rainfall to continue this positive trajectory and prevent a Stage 4 Emergency declaration this summer.

Read the full Drought Update via the link in our bio.

05/05/2026

The District is now hiring its next Communications & Outreach Manager! This position is full-time, hybrid, and based in the Austin area. We're looking for someone with experience in communications, community engagement, and media relations. A passion for natural resources management and public service is a plus!

View the full job description at www.bseacd.org/careers. Application deadline is May 26 at 8am.

04/30/2026

We often talk about drought and population growth, but how exactly do they impact Texas' beloved springs and streams?

Take a couple of minutes to watch "The Quick Story of Water in Texas". This short animation discusses the connection between our rivers and aquifers and how water resources are managed by the state.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frujDjJzJ0I&t=148s
___

Animation by Our Desired Future.

30 likes, 2 comments. "The Quick Story of Water in Texas"