Drought conditions (D1–D4) decreased to 53% of the state from 68% of the state four weeks ago; statewide reservoir storage increased to 77% full up from 76% four weeks ago and about 8 percentage points below normal for this time of year. La Niña has transitioned to neutral conditions, which are favored through October (with a hint of La Niña this winter). Drought is expected to improve over the next three months except in Far West Texas. Is an Atlantic Niña fixin’ to form?
Author: Robert Mace
Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas.
think+water: Plastics in bays, plastics in rivers, and arsenic in urine
This month, Dr. Robert E. Mace explores academic publications covering microplastics in bays and estuaries, microplastics in Texas rivers, and arsenic concentrations in Texas aquifers.
outlook+water: La Niña persists, drought expands, and the next three months favor hot and dry
Early projections suggest an active Atlantic hurricane season. Those epic rains in the valley did nothing for the Rio Grande reservoirs. Drought conditions (D1–D4) increased to 68% of the state from 49% of the state four weeks ago; statewide reservoir storage stayed the same at 76% full, about 8 percentage points below normal for this time of year. We remain in La Niña conditions with a 62% chance of a return of neutral conditions in the June-July-August season. Drought is expected to remain and expand over the next three months leaving only the easternmost part of the state drought-free.
think+water: Hydrogen and water use, elevated E. coli, and remedial oysters
This month, Dr. Robert E. Mace explores academic publications covering water requirements for hydrogen production, elevated E. coli concentrations in Texas recreational waters, and the economic value of oyster agriculture in the gulf.
outlook+water: La Niña is here, drought about the same, next three months favor hot and dry
Drought conditions (D1–D4) decreased slightly to 42% of the state from 44% four weeks ago; statewide reservoir storage increased slightly to 75% full, about 5 percentage points below normal for this time of year. La Niña is here, with a 60% chance of a return to neutral conditions by May. Drought is expected to remain and expand in the southern half of the state.