Drought, Climate Change
and
Groundwater SustainabilityThe term "drought" has different meanings to different people, depending on how a water deficiency affects them. 
Periods of dry weather have been classified into different types such as: meteorological drought (lack of precipitation)
agricultural drought (lack of soil moisture), or
hydrologic drought (reduced streamflow or groundwater levels). It's not unusual for a given period of water deficiency to represent a severe drought of one type more than another type. For instance, a long dry period during the summer may significantly lower the yield of farm crops due to a shortage of soil moisture in the plant root zone, but have little effect on groundwater storage that had been replenished the season previous (aquifer feeds springs, which feed the creeks and rivers). On the other hand, a prolonged dry spell during a normal recharge period can lower groundwater levels to the point where shallow wells can go dry. Groundwater systems (drilling and pumping wells) are a possible backup source of water during periods of drought. If the aquifer (groundwater storage) is pretty large and water development (wells drilled and pumped) is uncommon, droughts may have limited, if any, effect on the long-term sustainability of aquifer systems from a storage perspective. But, where groundwater has been taken for granted, and storage and heads have been substantially reduced by pumping out wells before a drought occurs, wells may be less useful as a source of water to help communities and individuals cope with droughts. And more than that, groundwater withdrawals that occurred before a drought can effect water levels and flows in lakes, streams, and other water bodies during droughts. Natural water flows and storage will be below levels that would have occurred in the absence of pumping. Texas Hill Country climate being what it is, it makes sense to be conservative when using water, and to use rainfall catchment as a primary or at least, back-up, water source. US Drought Monitor
National (USA) and regional drought intensity and impact. Texas Water Matters
Practical strategies for water management.. Back to Blanco Water Issues
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