Recent rains did not relieve San Marcos

From KXAN, April 28, 2009...

San Marcos entered stage one drought restrictions on Tuesday at noon in response to the Edwards Aquifer Authority ’s declaration of stage restrictions.

The EAA entered stage one on Monday due to low springflows at San Marcos springs.

Both the EAA and City of San Marcos enter stage one when spring flows and/or index well levels fall below designated triggers. The triggers for stage one occur when the ten day average J17 index well level falls below 660 feet above mean sea level or when the ten day average flow rate at San Marcos springs falls below 96 cubic feet per second.

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Fish and Wildlife Service contributes $1 million to Edwards Aquifer plan

From Austin Business Journal, April 22, 2009...

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program a $1 million habitat conservation planning assistance grant.

The Edwards Aquifer Authority will use the funds, in part, to develop a comprehensive plan for protecting federally listed endangered or threatened species while managing pumping rights out of the aquifer. In 2007, the Texas Legislature mandated the creation of the aquifer recovery implementation program. The Edwards Aquifer Authority has a deadline of Sept. 1, 2012 to complete this plan.

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Edwards Aquifer Education

From Austin Business Journal, July 18, 2008...

The Edwards Aquifer Authority has expanded the agency's children's educational outreach program online.

Earlier this year, the agency created the Doc Edwards' Amazing Aquifer Adventure!, a live education program hosted by Doc Edwards, a fictional explorer who teaches children about the aquifer.

The Edwards Aquifer essentially acts as an underground lake that provides drinking water for 1.7 million people in South and Central Texas. It is a big reason why development has been stymied in Southwest Austin. The authority is charged with managing and protecting the groundwater resource.

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