National Drought Mitigation Center
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Texas' Edwards Aquifer Authority improved to Stage 2 restrictions
1/31/2024 12:00:00 AM



CATEGORIES:
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Atascosa County, TX
Bexar County, TX
San Antonio, TX
Caldwell County, TX
Comal County, TX
New Braunfels, TX
Guadalupe County, TX
Hays County, TX
San Marcos, TX
Medina County, TX

Start Date: 7/24/2023 - End Date: 1/26/2024
The Edwards Aquifer Authority eased pumping restrictions for the San Antonio area after recent rainfall bumped up groundwater levels. Under Stage 2 restrictions, permit holders can withdraw up to 70% of their allotted amounts. Under the Stage 3 restrictions that took effect in early November and just ended, withdrawals of 65% were allowed. San Antonio Express-News (Texas), Jan 26, 2024 On Friday, Aug. 18, the Edwards Aquifer fell to its lowest point since July 1990. The J-17 well was 625.7 ft. above sea level, which is lower than the recent lowest measurement in September 2014, when widespread drought slowed local rivers to a trickle and Medina Lake nearly went completely dry. Stage 2 water restrictions remained in effect for San Antonio Water System customers. KSAT 12 (San Antonio, Texas), Aug 18, 2023 The Edwards Aquifer Authority enacted Stage 4 restrictions because groundwater levels and flows in the groundwater system continued to fall. The index well in Bexar County was at 629.1 feet, which was low enough to trigger the stage 4 restrictions. Comal Springs was flowing more slowly at an average of 88 cubic feet per second over the last 10 days. The counties affected by the restrictions are Atascosa, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Medina. San Antonio Express-News Online (Texas), July 24, 2023
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