News & Updates
Hays groundwater district says water company overused 89M gallons in 2022, impacting Jacob’s Well zone
A groundwater district in Hays County said one Central Texas water provider overpumped nearly 90 million gallons of water in 2022, leading to “by far” the largest penalties for overuse in the district, which manages the Jacob’s Well zone. The Hays Trinity Groundwater...
The invisible laws that led to America’s housing crisis
In the 1910s, US cities began enacting policies that would shape neighborhoods and, unintentionally, lay the roots for the severe housing shortage today: single-family zoning laws. Zoning laws, at their most basic, follow a simple concept. In one part of town, only...
‘It’s heartbreaking’: Jacob’s Well stops flowing for sixth time in recorded history
Jacob's Well, the popular spring-fed swimming hole in Wimberley, has reached zero flow for the sixth time in its recorded history. All six of those times have occurred in the last 23 years — and it's become more frequent. Earlier this summer, the Hays County park...
Comal Springs have only stopped flowing once in recorded history. Could it happen again?
The impacts of the current long-term drought are far-reaching. Jacob’s Well is closed, San Antonio Water System has stepped up enforcement of water usage and Canyon Lake is nearing an all-time low. These are all bad situations, but it could become even more critical...
The battle for Zilker Park
It’s not all bad news. There is, at the very least, widespread consensus that Zilker is in dire need of assistance. But what that help looks like—and how much it costs—has become the latest chapter in a long-running and increasingly hostile debate about how much...
Eclipse roundtables ‘like preparing for a hurricane’ in the Hill Country
DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) — The Hill Country Alliance, a non-profit focused on conserving and protecting the Texas Hill Country, will host the latest of its Hill Country Eclipse Roundtables on July 25th. The total solar eclipse, happening on April 8th, 2024, is...
‘It’s a crisis for our community’: Jacob’s Well has zero flow once again
WIMBERLEY, Texas (KXAN) — Jacob’s Well has now had zero flow of water for the sixth time since the summer of 2000, according to the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. “There are multiple factors contributing to Jacob’s Well’s near-dry condition, and it’s crucial...
Water resources at risk: Preserving open space in Comal County
The Texas Hill Country has long been revered for its scenic landscapes, pristine water resources, and the allure of a peaceful retreat. In fact, a survey conducted in the 1990s revealed that a staggering 80% of Texans expressed a desire to retire in this picturesque...
‘Extreme’ drought in nearly 50% of county
After being held captive by 100-degree temperatures for two straight weeks, San Antonio is under siege by a resurgent Texas drought. In South Texas, the drought has taken a big step in the wrong direction over the past several weeks. The heavy rain we saw back in...