Austin Chalk as an alternative supply for Brackettville?

With flows in Las Moras Springs failing recently (and seemingly more commonly and for longer), someone has suggested that Brackettville (and others) pull water from the Austin Chalk instead. Lowering groundwater production so close to the springs is not a bad idea for helping the springs as there is likely a one-to-one benefit to the … Continue reading Austin Chalk as an alternative supply for Brackettville?

Will the Carrizo-Wilcox go dry? No (but…)

I've gotten a couple calls about a recent Wall Street Journal article (paywalled) where I am "quoted" as saying the following about the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer: "Robert Mace, executive director at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, said the aquifer could run dry much sooner, likely within 10 to 20 … Continue reading Will the Carrizo-Wilcox go dry? No (but…)

groundwater education resources and activities for all ages

So you wanna teach regular folks (not irregular folks like hydrogeologists) about groundwater? It turns out that it's harder to find materials than you might think. There's even a paper about this published in 2022 by John Cherry. Sadly, since groundwater is out of sight, it is often out of mind. The National Groundwater Association … Continue reading groundwater education resources and activities for all ages

revisiting Gunnar Brune’s “Major and Historical Springs of Texas”

A few years back, the fall before The Plague, Dr. Ben Schwartz of the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center invited me to join him and Peter Sprouse to write a short blurb for a world encyclopedia on the status of spring ecology. I knew exactly where to go for a quick stat on the … Continue reading revisiting Gunnar Brune’s “Major and Historical Springs of Texas”

my book, “Groundwater Sustainability: Conception, Development, and Application”, is out!

Writing a book has been a long-time personal goal, so announcing that I've done it is quite a hoot! I have Geary Schindel (former hydrogeologist with the Edwards Aquifer Authority) and my lack of good judgment to thank for this. A friend of Geary's, the editor of this series, asked Geary if he was willing … Continue reading my book, “Groundwater Sustainability: Conception, Development, and Application”, is out!