Summary: The amount of the state under drought conditions (D1–D4) decreased from five weeks ago at 39% to 23% this week, with drought improvements across much of the state. El Niño conditions have a 90% chance of extending through the February-March-April season, giving way to neutral conditions in April-May-June and greater odds of La Niña conditions in the fall. Last year was the warmest on record for Texas, a full 3.5 F warmer than the long-term average.
Sections
law+water: Nathan Vassar and Jake Steen
This month in law+water, we explore a multi-billion-dollar PFAS contamination settlement, new Texas legislation that tightens groundwater availability requirements for developers, and how the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s Stakeholder Committee could provide a model for other groundwater conservation districts throughout the state.
think+water: Boil water notices during Uri, predicting water levels with neuro-fuzzies, and produced water for agriculture
This month, Dr. Robert E. Mace explores academic publications on the topics of examining the effectiveness of boil water notices as heath-risk communications, forecasting aquifer water levels in wells in Texas and Florida using an ensemble coactive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and analyzing the potential for using produced water from the Anadarko Basin as a resource for agricultural production.
talk+water: Rachel Fern
In this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Rachel Fern, Statewide Wetland Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, about the state of wetlands in Texas, including their history, current status, and future challenges.
think+water: Water for Boerne, shiners in the Upper Brazos, and Texmesonet
In this issue, we explore academic publications on the topics of assessing water management strategies for the City of Boerne, Texas, evaluating impacts on Great Plains fishes from groundwater development and reservoir construction on the Upper Brazos River Basin in Texas, and a technical overview of the TexMesonet.