NewsDrop-February-2024

GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

By: Roland Ruiz General Manager

We started 2024 like we did 2023 - in a drought. Although aquifer and springflow conditions have improved from a year ago thanks to some early year rains, we still have a significant rainfall deficit to overcome if we are to fully emerge from drought. There is hope.

THE EAA’S WORK IS NOT TO PREVENT OR END DROUGHTS BUT TO HELP MANAGE THE EDWARDS AQUIFER THROUGH DRY TIMES SUCH THAT THE NATURAL SYSTEM REMAINS SUSTAINABLE AS A WATER SUPPLY OVER THE LONG TERM.

To this end, we’ve a proven history of utilizing both regulatory and non-regulatory conservation measures to help lessen drought impacts to the aquifer and its two major springs – the Comal and San Marcos. These programs have worked. Amid excessive heat and prolonged dry spells, our conservation measures have helped to slow the rate of decline of aquifer levels and springflows to enable us to sustain until the rains come again. And with every drought, when beneficial rains do return, nature does its work by recharging the aquifer to bolster groundwater and springflows back to more robust levels.

We have learned we cannot out think or outwork nature; but we can work with nature to extend the sustainability of the aquifer through dry, hot times such as we have experienced recently. This is the paradigm around which we have envisioned the Next Generation of our mission: to find ways to better protect and enhance the natural envi ronment, especially across the vast watershed to the aquifer, so we can better ensure the highest

quantity and quality of water in the Edwards over generations to come.

natural filtration of stormwater before it runs off into streams that infiltrate the groundwater below thereby maintaining and perhaps even improv ing historic aquifer recharge. When paired with our tried-and-true drought conservation measures, these approaches carry enormous potential for ensuring the Edwards remains drought resilient well into the future.

Stewardship practices like preserving sensitive properties on the recharge and contributing zones along with restoring a balanced mix of native vegetation on these lands can help improve soil ecological health. Improved soil across the Texas Hill Country can lead to better water retention and

4

5