Spring 2010
Made Between Heaven and Earth
One of the most important lessons that I have learned on the Browning Ranch is that rainwater collection is a sustainable water supply for the Texas Hill Country. This experience comes to me first hand as my wife Colleen and I have lived solely on rainwater captured off our roof for the past five years. During that time, the climate has been exceptionally dry. I mentioned in my posting from Fall 2009, that over a 23 month period from October 2007 until September 2009, only 23 inches of rain fell on the Browning Ranch. This drought is now recognized as the second driest period on record for central Texas. Several water wells - the most common source of residential water for the area - went dry, or the water became unfit to drink. Meanwhile, my 20,000 gallon collection system supplied by 3,500 square foot roof never dropped below 50% capacity. Colleen and I were amazed by this experience and grateful to be spared the discomfort of some of our neighbors.
Posted Spring 2010 | Permalink | Rainwater colelction, sustainable development; aquifers
Fall 2009
The South-Central Texas Drought of 2008-2009
In the fall of 2007, central and south Texas entered a drought that would become recognized as the second worst drought on record. Statewide, this drought will likely be the driest ever in terms of rainfall. “The drought of 1956 was of longer duration but its intensity was not as extreme”, reads the most recent report by the Office of the State Climatologist. During the summer of 2009, Austin, Texas was one day away from breaking the record for the most days in a year over 100 degrees. The record is 69 days set in 1925. That equates to about 20% of the year over triple digits.
This is the Pedernales River almost completely dry.
Throughout central Texas, lake levels were about as low as they have ever been; rivers and creeks no longer flowed; groundwater supplies dwindled dangerously; some residential and municipal wells ran dry; almost all wildlife suffered as their food and water supplies succumbed to the heat stress.
Posted Fall 2009 | Permalink | aquifers, droughts, grasslands
