New Website Launched!

The website for the District, found at https://www.hickoryuwcd.org, (if you're reading this online, you're HERE!)  has undergone significant improvements, making navigation much simpler. We want to be as transparent as possible in all arenas.

We’ve also simplified things. Instead of having to print out forms for mailing or scanning for email submission, they are now interactive and can be easily submitted directly on the website. Additionally, our newsletter is now seamlessly integrated into the website for more active engagement.

Our new design ensures 100% accessibility in compliance with ADA standards.

We've also received fantastic photos from local residents for use on our pages. As always, we value any feedback and suggestions you may have.

BEFORE YOU BUY, MAKE SURE IT’S NOT DRY!

Yes, we’ve run this article before…actually several times before but still people come to our office asking about water after they’ve purchased a piece of property.

Despite the fact that the Hickory UWCD No. 1 has been around since 1982, many people do not know who we are or what we do. Funded by your property taxes and created by a petition from local citizens, the District was created to protect and conserve the groundwater within the District boundary. That boundary includes all of Mason County, most of McCulloch and San Saba Counties, and small portions of Concho, Menard, and Kimble Counties. Because of our mission, we collect data...a lot of data. Most of this information is available to the public on our website. Unfortunately, not many people utilize these resources. Too often we see new landowners after they have closed on a piece of property and learned too late that there is no groundwater accessible. The time to research is before you buy.

Before you buy, make sure it’s not dry.

Our staff is more than happy to assist you. We offer an extensive list of services FREE to our taxpayers including water quality testing, measuring water levels, mapping (paper and on-line), and of course, information. Just reach out.

 WE WORK FOR YOU!

La Niña

Recall the old nursery rhyme that portrayed little girls as sweet and gentle beings? Well, reality often diverges from that depiction. La Niña, which translates to "little girl" in Spanish, doesn't always bring sweetness. Instead, this phenomenon brings cooler surface temperatures to the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Consequently, the southern half of the US, including Texas, typically experiences drier and hotter conditions. Moreover, the presence of La Niña tends to elevate the risk of severe weather, including tornadoes and hurricanes. NOAA is predicting La Niña to develop between July and September, although there is a chance she could be here as early as this month.  Looking ahead to the 2024 hurricane season, NOAA forecasts between 17 to 25 named storms, with 4 to 7 potentially escalating into major hurricanes ranging from category 3 to 5.

 Winter La Niña Pattern, from  https://www.climate.gov/media/13112

Upon visiting our updated website, you'll notice that certain regions within the District have already accumulated up to 24 inches of rainfall year-to-date, which closely aligns with our typical annual average. Conversely, other areas, particularly those in the southern part of the District received substantially less. For example, the James River gauge in Mason County has registered only 7.60” so far this year.

 Visit https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?TX for the latest drought monitor