"Stay Connected in The Texas Hill Country" • Current News For Leakey & Surrounding Areas

By: Lee Sweeten, G.M.
2/8/10

For the first time since August 2007, the District has reduced the Drought Level to a “Non-Drought” Status. Water levels are up in many of the wells and the flow of the Nueces and Frio Rivers are at levels not seen in a long time. On February the 4th, 2010 the Nueces River at McDonald’s measured over 56,646 GPM; up over 300% from the 18,121 GPM measurement of January 22nd, 2010. Likewise, on February 7th, 2010 the Frio on FM 1120 past the Baptist Encampment measured at 47,748 GPM which was a 277% increase from the 17,237 GPM of January 22nd, 2010. Small creeks and wet weather springs are flowing all over the District and while technically we are still somewhat behind in overall rainfall for the last two years, the area is beginning to look good. Even though we are no longer in a active drought stage, we should carry our good habits forward and continue to conserve water at every chance. More information on current stream flows can be found on our webpage at www.recrd.org

As many of you may recall several months ago, J.G. Stone Oil Company filed an application with the Railroad Commission of Texas for an injection well in Edwards County. You may also recall that the District along with many residents and Edwards County opposed the permit unless there were some built in safe guard (monitor well). After a series of negotiations between all parties an agreement was reached that withdrew all protest of the permit if the Railroad Commission included requirements for a monitor well in the Injection Well Permit. Just last week, the District received a copy of the permit granted to J.G. Stone Oil Company and that permit included the requirement for the Monitor Well and specific instructions for sampling to insure no contamination of the aquifer. In all actuality, it was a win, win situation for all parties involved. The District would like to thank all parties including the Edwards County Commissioners’ Court involved in bringing this to fruition.

Even though we mention it in last week’s article, we again want to remind everyone about the riparian workshop to be held at our office in Camp Wood on May 5th, 2010. If you would like more information on the workshop or would like to go ahead and get your name on the list, please contact Sky Lewey at the Nueces River Authority in Uvalde at (830) 278-6810 or email slewey@nueces-ra.org This will be a very informative program and we urge you to register early as seats will go fast.

As always if you have a question about this article or other District activities, please contact our office at (830) 597-3322 or email recrd@swtexas.net