Texas has been experiencing a drought for years now. But depending on where you’re located, watering restrictions may apply. 

“Typical summer, August South Texas weather. Very hot very dry,” said Andrew Cummings, the conservation manager for New Braunfels Utilities (NBU).

In Texas, the summer heat is almost too hot to handle. Cummings says it’s something they’ve been keeping an eye on in New Braunfels. Since 2021, the intense heat combined with minimal rainfall has caused a drought. 

“Our drought is based off a few different factors,” Cummings said. “River flow for the Comal River. We also keep a very close look at our Edwards Aquifer J17 well. We also look at Canyon Lake levels.”

Cummings says the severity of the drought fluctuates in town.

“We’ve been in stage 2 for at least the last 12 months,” Cummings said. “And in between stages 1 and 3 for the last three and a half years.” 

Some Hill Country residents were confused after the Texas Water Company announced Blanco, Comal, Kendall and Medina counties were in a stage 4 drought, even though NBU customers only have stage 2 restrictions. 

“Our neighboring utility, Texas Water, had said that Comal County is in stage 4,” Cummings said. “Now that’s only for Texas Water Comal County residents and customers.”

This drought has caused low levels at Canyon Lake. Currently, only two boat ramps are open. This summer, the lake is only 57% full compared to nearly 70% last summer.

“Texas is doing Texas things,” Cummings said. “I’d been ongoing since around 2021. The biggest contributing factor, we’ve been in a La Niña system.”

In town, the heat hasn’t stopped folks from floating down the Comal River. 

NBU just asks customers to do their part by limiting their watering to once a week during the drought.

“Conservation for us leads to a lower bill for customers,” Cummings said.