The Edwards Aquifer's sudden water level decline is most likely caused by farmers planting corn further downstream, the San Marcos Record reports. The Aquifer has been dropping up to a foot a day according to measurements taken at Fort Sam Houston.
San Marcos is already in Stage 2 watering restrictions, but farmers in Uvalde and Medina countries recently did a second round of irrigation on their corn. The amount of rain in July was just enough to keep the aquifer levels above the point where the second crop would have been illegal under Edwards Aquifer Authority pumping regulations.
Farmers are probably planting more corn because of the increase in corn prices due to the midwest drought, and heavy irrigation was necessary to get the plants to sprout in 100 degree heat. Farmers are expected to continue irrigation until the end of September and will most likely cause the aquifer to reach Stage 3 restrictions in a matter of days.
Under the Stage 2 rules, farmers who can pump from the Edwards Aquifer in the San Antonio area had to reduce their pumping by 30 percent and those in Uvalde must reduce it by 35 percent. The water authority is currently holding a series of public meetings to discuss the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program, which includes storing water in the Carrizo Aquifer and may include paying farmers to not irrigate crops during drought if funding is approved.
Looking for a San Marcos apartment where you can enjoy the water? Call Apartment Experts San Marcos today!
No comments:
Post a Comment