Steve Quiring, a professor in the Department of Geography at Texas A&M who specializes in Texas weather patterns, says 88 percent of Texas is experiencing abnormally dry conditions and 18 percent of the state is in either extreme or exceptional drought conditions. “The current drought is reaching historic proportion. Dry conditions near Austin and San Antonio have been exceeded only once before in Texas – the drought of 1917-18. The bad news is that both short and long-term forecasts don’t call for much rain at all.”

Boat docks on Travis will soon be unusable. Barton Springs is at critical drought status.

Water for farming, urban uses, and recreation from the lakes and Edwards Aquifer are at risk. It is time for serious conservation.

•Replace older toilets with low-flow models to save up to 50%.
•Install water-saving showerheads that use 2.5 gallons per minute or less.
•Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check mark 24 hours later. Your pool should lose no more than 1/4 inch each day. Cover when not in use.
•Fill your pool a few inches lower than usual.
•Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
•When washing dishes by hand, use a sink full of soapy water -- don't let the water run.
•Water lawns during the early morning when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces evaporation and waste.
•Fix toilet leaks. Plumbing leaks as a whole account for 14 percent of water consumed in the home, according to a study sponsored by the American Water Works Association.
•Mow grass frequently enough so that no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed at one time. Mow when the grass is dry to prevent spread of turf diseases. Adjust your lawnmower to cut grass to a height of 3 inches or more. Taller grass encourages deeper roots and shades the soil to reduce moisture loss. Sharpen mower blades regularly; sharp blades do less damage to grass. Do not bag your grass clippings unless disease is present. Use a mulching mower if possible Do not blow clippings into a storm drain.

On a brighter note the Edwards Aquifer Conservation District holds an essay contest each year for juniors and seniors, the award being a $1,500 college scholarship and a contest for 9-15 year-olds, the award being a number of scholarships to Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center's week-long or 2-day Aquatic Science Adventure Camp . Information can be found at: www.bseacd.org/scholarship_program.htm