INSIDER
NOT GOOD: San Antonio’s in its driest stretch since 1996 ahead of a dry La Niña winter forecast
Read full article: NOT GOOD: San Antonio’s in its driest stretch since 1996 ahead of a dry La Niña winter forecastIt’s been more than 45 days since measurable rainfall was officially recorded in San Antonio, a concerning fact in a time period where we typically see rain
Lakehills Community Center’s annual fundraiser could bring hope for Medina Lake
Read full article: Lakehills Community Center’s annual fundraiser could bring hope for Medina LakeThe Lakehills Community Center is hard at work to prepare for its biggest fundraiser yet. The team is just weeks out from the Medina Lake Cajun Festival, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. This year, getting the community together means a whole lot more.
A West Texas ranch and resort will limit water to residents amid fears its wells will run dry
Read full article: A West Texas ranch and resort will limit water to residents amid fears its wells will run dryResidents at the sprawling Terlingua Ranch near Big Bend National Park will limit residents to 1,000 gallons of nondrinking water per month.
Broken water line leads to flood of problems on city’s SE side
Read full article: Broken water line leads to flood of problems on city’s SE sidePeople complained of water outages, low water pressure, and traffic problems after an underground water main on SE Military broke. It also caused part of a sidewalk to crumble.
Unchecked growth around Big Bend sparks debate over water — a prelude for Texas
Read full article: Unchecked growth around Big Bend sparks debate over water — a prelude for TexasNo one knows how much water sits beneath the desert of Terlingua. Residents worry their wells will run dry, as developers and local officials cheer the tourism boom.
South Texas farmers are in peril as the Rio Grande Valley runs dry — again
Read full article: South Texas farmers are in peril as the Rio Grande Valley runs dry — againWith the hottest days still ahead, local leaders have declared emergencies. And farmers are lobbying for the U.S. government to pressure Mexico to release water.
‘Don’t be watering a dead lawn’: Horticulture expert explains dead vs. dormant grass and what to do with your yard.
Read full article: ‘Don’t be watering a dead lawn’: Horticulture expert explains dead vs. dormant grass and what to do with your yard.After two years of brutal heat and below-average rainfall, the grass in your yard might be looking more brown and crunchy than lush and green. KSAT reached out to David Rodriguez, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent who specializes in horticulture, to ask what people’s options are when it comes to their grass.
SAWS citations quadruple after water company increases drought patrols
Read full article: SAWS citations quadruple after water company increases drought patrolsSan Antonio has been under stage 2 watering restrictions since April of 2022 but the number of citations issued to customers found to be in violation of the watering rules has quadrupled in recent months.
Canyon Lake community focuses on tourism outside the lake to survive ongoing drought, extreme heat
Read full article: Canyon Lake community focuses on tourism outside the lake to survive ongoing drought, extreme heatWith record-breaking heat and ongoing drought, business owners across Comal County were concerned about what tourism would look like in Summer 2023. But the Canyon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce said they still saw business.
Hay prices rising, supply limited amid drought and extreme weather
Read full article: Hay prices rising, supply limited amid drought and extreme weatherThe drought and triple-digit heat have hit many ranchers hard this summer. The cost of hay bales continues to soar, and the lack of production is leaving suppliers and livestock owners scrambling for options.
Another Texas Hill Country swimming hole is closing as area experiences exceptional drought
Read full article: Another Texas Hill Country swimming hole is closing as area experiences exceptional droughtThe swimming area at Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley will be closed for the remainder of the year because the depth of the water is no longer safe, according to the city’s parks officials.
Options to float the river are drying up ahead of Labor Day weekend
Read full article: Options to float the river are drying up ahead of Labor Day weekendFloating the river has been a favorite pastime for people looking to celebrate the end of summer on Labor Day weekend but the Comal, Guadalupe and San Marcos rivers aren’t flowing quite so fast this year.
SAWS blames water main breaks on customers ignoring watering rules, record pumping and heat
Read full article: SAWS blames water main breaks on customers ignoring watering rules, record pumping and heatSan Antonio Water System officials are attributing the hundreds of water main breaks the utility has seen this summer to record pumping amid high demand for water.
Rural Texas firefighters warn of wildfire dangers
Read full article: Rural Texas firefighters warn of wildfire dangersRural communities have seen a tremendous propulation growth. The extreme heat, and dry conditions have them worried that new residents are not fully aware of just how close they are to a dangerous wildfire.
Surface water quality levels in some Texas lakes, rivers is poor, officials say
Read full article: Surface water quality levels in some Texas lakes, rivers is poor, officials sayThe lack of rain and extreme heat is helping bacteria thrive in area lakes and rivers, and river authority officials are asking families to be cautious of posted swimming warnings.
San Antonio Food Bank and National Park Service turn to the past to produce fresh produce during ongoing drought
Read full article: San Antonio Food Bank and National Park Service turn to the past to produce fresh produce during ongoing droughtThe farm at Mission San Juan at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park produces fresh produce for the San Antonio Food Bank using acequias.
Man recovering after pecan tree limb falls on his head, causing him to break his legs
Read full article: Man recovering after pecan tree limb falls on his head, causing him to break his legsArborist warn homeowners to have their trees inspected at least once a year by a professional, not only to keep the tree healthy but to protect people from accidents.
Boerne enters Stage 2 water restrictions
Read full article: Boerne enters Stage 2 water restrictionsBoerne Utilities notified its water customers that Stage 2 water restrictions would take effect as drought and continuous triple-digit temperatures affect the region. The restrictions will begin Aug. 7, 2023.
SAWS considering idea to change enforcement of water rule violations
Read full article: SAWS considering idea to change enforcement of water rule violationsAs San Antonio reels from the heat and lack of rainfall, SAWS is considering new ideas around drought management and the violation of watering rules.
Ongoing drought causes concerns for water conservation, wildfire season across Texas
Read full article: Ongoing drought causes concerns for water conservation, wildfire season across TexasThe U.S. Drought Monitor reported that parts of South Central Texas have seen continuous drought for more than 680 days.
After historic drought, lawmakers agree on billion-dollar plan to expand water supplies, fix infrastructure
Read full article: After historic drought, lawmakers agree on billion-dollar plan to expand water supplies, fix infrastructureFollowing one of the hottest summers on record, lawmakers have set an ambitious target: By 2033, they want to bump up the state’s water supply by an amount equal to three of the largest reservoirs in the state.
How South Texas weather affects strawberry production in Atascosa County🍓
Read full article: How South Texas weather affects strawberry production in Atascosa County🍓According to a strawberry specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Poteet-worthy strawberries need a sandier soil and cool temperatures to grow. Those cooler conditions get harder and harder to find, though, as the spring season in South Central Texas carries on.
Years of drought forcing farmers to make changes to water crops in Gillespie County
Read full article: Years of drought forcing farmers to make changes to water crops in Gillespie CountyFarmers in Gillespie County are dealing with a slow rain start to the year and seeing less than half the average rainfall they usually get.
Medina Lake house owner behind viral TikTok video says current water level is ‘numbing’ sight
Read full article: Medina Lake house owner behind viral TikTok video says current water level is ‘numbing’ sightA video posted on TikTok by a San Antonio business owner showing the effects of the drought at Medina Lake has millions of views and counting.
Texas ag agency says climate change threatens state’s food supply
Read full article: Texas ag agency says climate change threatens state’s food supplyA new Texas Department of Agriculture report also points to other factors that are making it harder for Texans to access and afford food, including wages falling behind rising costs of living.
Watch: Panhandle cotton farmers, rural economies struggle under “exceptional” drought conditions
Read full article: Watch: Panhandle cotton farmers, rural economies struggle under “exceptional” drought conditions“A year like this, where everything is disaster, is just, I’d say, devastating,” cotton farmer Steven Walker said.
2022 is in the lead for the driest year San Antonio has experienced so far
Read full article: 2022 is in the lead for the driest year San Antonio has experienced so farIt’s no secret that this year hasn’t been particularly kind to us in terms of rainfall. As we get ready to flip the calendar over to the month of October, here’s a look at our rainfall stats through the first nine months of the year so far.
Drought slightly worsening in San Antonio area, according to U.S. Drought Monitor
Read full article: Drought slightly worsening in San Antonio area, according to U.S. Drought MonitorThe latest Drought Monitor was released Thursday morning, and while there haven't been widespread, drastic changes, some drought has expanded slightly along and east of I-35.
To save water in Texas, these nonprofits are paying farmers to leave it in reservoirs
Read full article: To save water in Texas, these nonprofits are paying farmers to leave it in reservoirsAs Texas continues to battle drought, groups are trying a market-based solution to help farmers and protect what little water is left.
Hemp was supposed to save Texas farmers during a drought. It hasn’t yet.
Read full article: Hemp was supposed to save Texas farmers during a drought. It hasn’t yet.Hemp advocates promised the Texas Legislature the crop was drought resistant. The 2022 drought has proven otherwise. And farmers are abandoning the nascent market.
Texas’ cotton industry is facing its worst harvest in years — costing the state more than $2 billion
Read full article: Texas’ cotton industry is facing its worst harvest in years — costing the state more than $2 billionCotton is Texas’ largest crop, and industry experts say they expect just half the normal annual yield — which will drive up costs for consumers.
TribCast: Texas’ drought is likely to persist
Read full article: TribCast: Texas’ drought is likely to persistIn this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jayme about how this week’s rain likely won’t mean the end of the drought. And he speaks with Eric about the soon-to-be-over congressional career of Louie Gohmert.
Wetter weather is coming this weekend. But it won’t be enough to end Texas’ drought.
Read full article: Wetter weather is coming this weekend. But it won’t be enough to end Texas’ drought.Rain is in the forecast across much of the state. But it won’t be enough to reverse the drought that has gripped Texas since last fall.
Northeast Side residents voice frustration with water main break in neighborhood
Read full article: Northeast Side residents voice frustration with water main break in neighborhoodResidents in a Northeast Side neighborhood tell KSAT they were frustrated with a water main break they said took some time to fix.
Homeless Texans left with few places to cool off during record heat
Read full article: Homeless Texans left with few places to cool off during record heatHeat-related emergency calls have spiked amid historic heat. Cooling centers are available in major cities but often close in the late afternoon — during the hottest parts of the day.
Firefighters in Atascosa County ‘overwhelmed’ by high call volume, limited resources
Read full article: Firefighters in Atascosa County ‘overwhelmed’ by high call volume, limited resourcesThe drought and record-breaking heat are affecting the Atascosa County fire departments’ call volume and budgets this year.
Drought, standing water leads to questions about water quality in South Texas rivers and lakes
Read full article: Drought, standing water leads to questions about water quality in South Texas rivers and lakesThe drought and heat are gripping South Texas and the lack of rain has led to questions about standing water in area lakes, rivers and popular swimming destinations.
Dog dies within an hour of visiting ‘Barking Springs’ swimming hole. Toxic algae could be to blame.
Read full article: Dog dies within an hour of visiting ‘Barking Springs’ swimming hole. Toxic algae could be to blame.A visit to Austin’s “Barking Springs” resulted in the death of a dog and city officials believe it might have to do with toxic algae exposure.