Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2014

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.

Most of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in May. A portion of the western counties had less than normal, but mainly between 50 and 100 percent of normal. With the wet weather a number of counties had improved drought conditions. Kerr and Real Counties improved to extreme drought category (Stage D3) and Burnet County improved to severe category (Stage D2). Only Kinney County worsened to exceptional category (Stage D4). The rest of the area remained unchanged with Edwards and Val Verde Counties in Stage D4, Bandera, Gillespie, Llano, Medina, and Uvalde Counties in Stage D3, and Blanco, Kendall, and Zavala Counties in Stage D2. Fire danger was moderate to high across the area at the end of May. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Uvalde and Val Verde had burn bans in effect. The seven day stream flow averages at the end of the month improved to normal for all area river basins. However, area lakes and reservoirs continued well below normal pool elevations. Lake Amistad dropped to near 45 feet below normal. Lake Travis rose slightly to near 52 feet below normal. Medina Lake finally got some rain and rose, but was still near 84 feet below. The Edwards Aquifer rose during the month and was 22.4 feet below normal, and 7 feet below the level at the end of May 2013. The Edwards Aquifer Authority declared stage 3 water restrictions requiring large water users to reduce pumping by 35%. Uvalde remained in stage 5 water restrictions, Fredericksburg improved to stage 3, and Kerrville remained in stage 1.