Barton Springs Narrowly Avoids Rare Stage 4 Drought Declaration

Recent rains provide temporary relief, but officials warn conditions remain critically dry in Central Texas

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:55pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting Barton Springs and its surrounding greenery dwarfed by an expansive, hazy sky, conveying the overwhelming scale and fragility of the region's water resources during a prolonged drought.As Central Texas grapples with a severe drought, the iconic Barton Springs pool faces an uncertain future amid dwindling water levels.Austin Today

The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District was on the verge of issuing a historic 'Stage 4 Emergency Drought' declaration in late March or early April due to critically low water levels in the Barton Springs and Edwards aquifers. However, recent rainfall has stabilized the aquifer, pushing back the potential drought declaration for now. Officials warn that the region remains in a severe drought, and a Stage 4 declaration could still come later this spring or early summer if conditions do not improve.

Why it matters

Barton Springs is a beloved natural landmark in Austin and a crucial water source for nearly 100,000 people across Travis and Hays counties. A Stage 4 drought declaration would have triggered major restrictions on groundwater pumping, significantly impacting residents and businesses in the region. The district's ability to narrowly avoid this historic declaration highlights the fragility of Central Texas' water resources amid a prolonged drought.

The details

In January, the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District announced it was nearing a 'Stage 4 Emergency Drought' declaration, which would have required major reductions in groundwater pumping. With Barton Springs discharge and the Lovelady monitoring well approaching drought thresholds, the district anticipated making the declaration in late March or early April. However, recent rainfall in mid-to-late March and this week has helped stabilize the aquifer, with Barton Springs flow currently hovering just above the 10 cubic-feet-per-second threshold for a Stage 4 declaration. The district continues to monitor the situation closely and may still issue the declaration later this spring or early summer if conditions do not improve.

  • In January 2026, the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District announced it was nearing a 'Stage 4 Emergency Drought' declaration.
  • In late March or early April 2026, the district anticipated making the Stage 4 drought declaration.
  • In mid-to-late March 2026, recent rainfall helped stabilize the aquifer.
  • On April 2, 2026, Barton Springs flow was measured at just above the 10 cubic-feet-per-second threshold for a Stage 4 declaration.

The players

Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

The local government agency responsible for managing the Barton Springs and Edwards aquifers, which serve as a crucial water source for nearly 100,000 people in Central Texas.

Shay Hlavaty

The Communications and Outreach Manager for the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.

City of Austin

The local government that works alongside the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District to maintain flow at Barton Springs, which supports an endangered species protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

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What they’re saying

“Both of our aquifers (the Edwards and Middle Trinity) that we oversee are in pretty rough shape right now. We've been getting below average rainfall since January of 2022.”

— Shay Hlavaty, Communications and Outreach Manager, Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

“Right now, flow at Barton Springs is hovering just above 12 (cubic-feet-per-second). So it's less than a quarter of what's supposed to be average at Barton Springs.”

— Shay Hlavaty, Communications and Outreach Manager, Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

“For Stage 4 Emergency Response for Barton Springs, we would need to cross below 10 cfs.”

— Shay Hlavaty, Communications and Outreach Manager, Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

What’s next

The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will continue to closely monitor the situation and may still issue a Stage 4 drought declaration later this spring or early summer if conditions do not improve.

The takeaway

The narrow avoidance of a historic Stage 4 drought declaration for Barton Springs highlights the fragility of Central Texas' water resources and the urgent need for long-term conservation efforts to ensure the region's aquifers can withstand prolonged periods of drought.