TGR DISTRICT NEWS
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This TGR Resource newsletter was published in February, 2026
TGR Five-Year Water Plan Approved by State
The Trinity Glen Rose Groundwater Conservation District (TGR) recently received approval of its new Groundwater Management Plan from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), which is the State of Texas agency that oversees water planning.
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Every five years, groundwater districts are required to develop a water management plan defining its groundwater needs and supplies for the following five years. There are also requirements for districts to outline goals for achieving results that match its water demand projections.
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“Our water management plan is a very detailed document outlining current and projected district population growth, Trinity Aquifer hydrology, current recharge numbers and recharge projections, how we advocate water conservation measures and much more,” said TGR General Manager Amanda Maloukis. “Additionally, we must show how our plans fit into regional Groundwater Management Area projections as well as the State of Texas’ 50-year water plan. So, one can only imagine the level of coordination and scientific analysis that goes into a process like this. Most importantly, we want the general public to know that this is all done to ensure water needed in the future will be there for families and businesses, and for protection of the ecosystem we live in.”
The TGR Groundwater Management Plan can be a valuable document for those studying water resource planning and management. There are historical records, water demands for various parts of the region, detailed hydrological analyses and multiple tables of data related to water resource planning in the State of Texas. You can read and download the TGR plan at: www.trinityglenrose.com/reports.
New TGR Website Pages Developed
New web pages provide a detailed look at Trinity Aquifer science and recharge geology
Over the past several months, the TGR staff has been working to provide an in-depth view of the Trinity Aquifer. The portion of the Trinity that the District manages in Northern Bexar County is only a small section of this 10,000-square mile water resource covering an area generally between San Antonio and Northern Dallas.
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So, why is it important to provide this level of information about an aquifer no one can really see? Studies over the years have shown that when the public understands where their water comes from and how it is managed, they tend to add more conservative ways to daily water use habits. And while this aquifer is enormous in geological terms, it is also finite in water supply capacity.
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The Trinity aquifer is a karst rock formation. It is a lower production aquifer which recharges slowly, with only an estimated 4–5% of rain recharging it. Despite its relatively slow recharge rate, it stands as one of Texas’ most extensive and heavily used groundwater resources. Primarily utilized by municipalities, it also serves as a vital source for rural homes, irrigation, livestock, and other domestic uses.
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Aquifers replenish themselves through precipitation falling directly on the aquifer's exposed (unconfined) areas. That water seeps into the ground from rivers and ponds where the ground slopes downward. And because the Trinity Aquifer is made up of a group of aquifers, recharged water flows between those aquifers hundreds of feet below ground.
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There are many ways that water agencies and the public can help enhance recharge through small dams, creating berms and swales in landscapes and overall preservation of land in its natural state.
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You can find the two new TGR website pages at: www.trinityglenrose.com/aquifer-education and www.trinityglenrose.com/recharge-enhancement.
National Groundwater Awareness Week Happening March 8-14
National Groundwater Week (GWAW) is an annual event established to highlight the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater across the country. The event is also a platform to encourage yearly water well testing and well maintenance, and the promotion of policies impacting groundwater quality and supply. Groundwater advocates across the country also use GWAW to highlight local water issues in their communities.
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As more than 44 percent of the population depends on groundwater as a primary water source, developing an interest in the groundwater industry is of vital importance to both the health and economy of the country. Groundwater professionals span a wide variety of careers and skills including well contractors, hydrogeologists, groundwater policy advocates, and suppliers and manufacturers of groundwater technology.
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GWAW also serves as an annual reminder for water well owners to test, tend, and treat their private water systems. The National Groundwater Association encourages annual inspections of private water systems by certified water well contractors to ensure systems are operating correctly and producing safe and healthy water. Well owners can find a number of tools and great information about managing their systems at: www.WellOwner.org.
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Additionally, National Groundwater Week can be a time for homeowners to take a look at how they use water and decide to make permanent changes in their water consumption practices. Fixing water leaks and replacing water-thirsty turfgrass with more native plants are the best two places to start.
Continuing Drought Conditions are Nearing Drought of Record Status
The ongoing heat was a major story in 2025. In 2024, the state broke a record for the hottest year in data going back to 1895, a record that had been set most recently in 2023. 2025 did set the record for the hottest November since 1895. But, that wasn't enough to put 2025 ahead of 2024 for the hottest year. However, 2025 did finish as the fourth hottest year, trailing only 2012, 2023, and 2024.
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From a drought and water supply perspective, reds, oranges, and yellows on the maps above could mean more drought-related trouble. About half the state received less than half of normal precipitation, while some of the more fortunate regions saw a 150-percent or more of normal precipitation.
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The 1950-1957 drought still stands as the drought of record for all of Texas. It contributed to a major demographic transition, from a state rooted in farming and ranching to the largely urban Texas of the late 20th century and has set the goalposts for water planners ever since. The 1950s drought lasted longer than the 2010-2014 drought in every climate division in the state, but by some measures the 2010-2014 drought was more severe. The 2010-2014 drought set new standards for the hottest and driest 12-month periods on record, dropped streamflow to new lows, and prompted widespread emergency actions to maintain water supplies.
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The current drought started around 2019, and only once since 2019 has the City of San Antonio reached an average rainfall year level. In 2025, the National Weather Service recorded about 27 inches of rain in San Antonio — but still five inches below normal. To catch up, Central Texas needs not just substantial rainfall, but at the right time and in the right places to recharge the aquifers and keep the spring-fed rivers flowing. Current measurements of the Edwards Aquifer remain about 40 feet below normal for this time of year and Trinity Aquifer monitoring wells show similar type conditions.
This photo was taken in May, 2025, along the Comal River near the Landa Park entrance in New Braunfels.
If you’ve been watching the Trinity Glen Rose District’s drought dashboard over the past several months, you might have noticed that Bexar County almost went from the “extreme drought” classification down a step to “severe drought” in the fall of 2025. But, since then the drought map has reverted to nearly all of Bexar County being classified as extreme drought. Given those facts, the TGR District remains in Stage 3 of its drought management plan.
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The Trinity Aquifer groundwater system runs throughout much of the Hill Country, including in Kerr, Bandera, Kendall and Comal counties. It’s considered by the Texas Water Development Board to be one of the “most extensive and highly used groundwater resources in Texas.” Unlike the Edwards Aquifer, which recharges quickly with rainfall, the Trinity is made up of different layers of formations that hold water, resulting in less movement of water throughout the aquifer and slower recharge from rainfall.
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Unfortunately, the intermediate climate outlook suggests that things are not likely to get better. According to weather patterns and scientists who analyze such conditions, February, March and April are more likely to see below-normal rainfall in San Antonio and the Hill Country, along with above-average temperatures that increase demand and accelerate evaporation.
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You can read a very good story about the current drought situation at this link to an Express-News article.
Also, homeowners and businesses can make positive contributions to saving water and protecting local aquifers by learning about common water conservation practices at the TGR Conservation Page.
GARDENING
GO
Check out what’s happening in this edition of your favorite landscape show - Go Gardening!
Go Gardening Season Five Now Online
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Go Gardening is back for a fifth season! Let’s take a look at what’s in store.
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To kick off the new year, the Go Gardening crew visited one of the latest landscape projects by the talented designer Luke Hoy. Luke is a huge supporter of homeowners reworking their landscapes using native plants to save water and create a yard that can more readily survive and thrive in the South Texas heat. But, he has a priority list for people to consider when changing out their landscapes, one of those priorities being the use of evergreen plants. Even in the dead of winter and after a couple of freezes, this landscape you will see in this segment looks really good. Check it out.
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Next, we know that February and March are good times of the year for pruning trees and plants. But there are some critical techniques to use when doing so and some things to avoid to make sure your plants/trees grow properly in the spring. Lee Marlowe, a true Go Gardening friend, took us on a short tour of Confluence Park where she and Go Gardening host Mark Peterson actually did some pruning work on some small trees at the park. There is also a "bonus segment" for you to watch at the end of their pruning demonstration. Click here to watch the latest Go Gardening Show.
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You can watch previous Go Gardening shows at: https://www.youtube.com/@gardeningvolunteersofsouth5703/videos.
TGR-Sponsored Go Gardening Show Offers a Chance to Win a Front Yard Makeover
To celebrate the 5th Season of the Go Gardening Show, we are giving away a front yard makeover! Registrations will run through March 13. The winner will be announced at the San Antonio Water System's Spring Bloom event to be held Saturday, March 14th.
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Here are the Contest Rules.
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Maximum of 400 square feet of landscape makeover
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Landscape design from a local design professional
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All soil, mulch and native plants will be provided
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Installation will be provided
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The selected area for makeover must not have major rock or structural removals required prior to planting.
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The winner must be a San Antonio resident.
You can register at the Gardening Volunteers of South Texas Go Gardening website page.
TGR's Drought Tolerant Plant Picks
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Having a water-saving garden doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice color and even year round color in your landscape. Once the temperatures cool, any of the native perennials can go in the ground for next year’s show. Here are two great suggestions.
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Gulf muhly, Muhlenbergia capillaris, is a perennial grass reaching 1.5-3 feet in height. This showstopper introduces an airy, interesting texture and structure to the garden in addition to being drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. The seedheads turn a rosy pink in the fall providing a nice contrast against the yellow we so often see in fall bloomers.
Frogfruit, Phyla nodiflora, is a tough perennial groundcover that can handle a wide range of conditions, including light, soil type, and water. I have found beautiful specimens growing out of scorching pavement and only receiving what little rain Mother Nature offers. Butterflies and other insect pollinators will appreciate this addition to your yard.
DROUGHT
DASHBOARD
With the severity of the current drought conditions expected to continue into 2026, the TGR District is providing up to date information about these conditions affecting local aquifers and how you can help.
At the TGR Drought Dashboard on the District’s website home page, you will find the current U.S. drought monitor map, the rainfall chart from the National Weather Service, current drought news articles and a link to some great water conservation recommendations at our Don’t Waste the Wet Stuff page.
DID YOU KNOW?
TGR
That’s a lot of territory…
The Trinity Aquifer area on the surface covers 10,692 square miles. Amazingly, the area below the surface encompasses 21,308 square miles which is roughly the size of West Virginia.
The Trinity Aquifer can be found in 61 of Texas’ 254 counties and is one of the most extensive and highly used groundwater resources in the state.
BRIEFS
NEWS
TGR District Email Address
We are in the process of updating our IT system which will include a new email for the office. That new email address is: office@TGRGCD.org.
Call to Set Appointments with TGR District Staff
If you need to meet with the TGR District staff, we ask that you call to make an appointment so we can make sure you connect with the appropriate person who can answer questions and/or resolve problems. Call us at (210) 698-1155.
