The Board of Director of the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District (“District”) at their August 8, 2023 board meeting declared a Stage 4 Drought, which is Critical.  The District recommends a 20% reduction in daily water demands, a 40% in maximum daily demands.  The District encourages all permit holders, including historic wells, to comply.  For residential wells the District recommends outdoor watering be limited to one day per week.  During this prolonged drought, not only the citizens of Gillespie County, but throughout the Hill Country area need to conserve water.  Conservation measures, such as limiting outdoor watering to one day per week should be practiced. Any water leaks should be repaired. Water conservation measures can reduce demand and help preserve existing groundwater supplies to ensure adequate groundwater is available through this current drought. We encourage everyone to participate to maximize success in this persistent drought.

For more information, visit:  https://hcuwcd.org/

Drought Condition Alert 

- The Local Drought Index as of July 30, 2023, 2023 is -2.71, which is a moderate drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of August 8, 2023, has Gillespie County in Extreme and Exception Drought Intensity. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of July 2, 2023, 2023 is -2.58, which is a moderate drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of July 18, 2023, has Gillespie County in Extreme and Exception Drought Intensity. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.

- The Local Drought Index as of July 2, 2023 is -2.58, which is a moderate drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  July 4, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple intensity stages: Severe Drought, Extreme Drought and Exception Drought. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of  June 3, 2023 is -2.14, which is a moderate drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  June 27, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple intensity stages: Severe Drought, Extreme Drought and Exception Drought. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of  June 3, 2023 is -2.14, which is a moderate drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  June 6, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple intensity stages: Severe Drought, Extreme Drought and Exception Drought. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.

- The Local Drought Index as of  April 29, 2023 is -3.06, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  May 23, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple intensity stages: Severe Drought, Extreme Drought and Exception Drought. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of  April 29, 2023 is -3.06, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  May 2, 2023, has Gillespie County in Extreme Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.

- The Local Drought Index as of  April 1, 2023 is -3.59, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  April 18, 2023, has Gillespie County in Extreme Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.

- The Local Drought Index as of  April 1, 2023 is -3.59, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of  March 28, 2023, has Gillespie County in Extreme Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.

- The Local Drought Index as of March 4, 2023 is -3.26, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of March 7, 2023, has Gillespie County in Extreme Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed.

- The Local Drought Index as of March 4, 2023 is -3.26, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of February 21, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple categories from Severe Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of February 4, 2023 is -3.28, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of February 7, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple categories from Severe Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of December 31, 2022 is a -3.59, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of January 17, 2023, has Gillespie County in multiple categories from Severe Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of December 10, 2022 is a -3.69, which is a severe drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of December 13, 2022, has Gillespie County in multiple categories from Moderate Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

- The Local Drought Index as of October 29, 2022 is a -4.40, which is a critical drought stage. The U.S. Drought Monitor, as of December 6, 2022, has Gillespie County in multiple categories from Moderate Drought to Exception Drought stage. Outdoor watering should be limited to once a week, and all indoor and outdoor leaks should be fixed. 

For more information, visit:  https://hcuwcd.org/