Drought spurs river cleanup cancellation
Drought has impacted the Medina River, including this pictured area at Bridlegate Park just below Privilege Creek. Courtesy Photo
The Medina River Cleanup, usually scheduled for the first Saturday in May and targeting 50 miles of the river, has been cancelled this year due to lack of water in many sections of the river, according to Cleanup Coordinator Bob Brischetto.
“This year there is not sufficient water in many sections of the river to allow paddlers to clean the river,” said Brischetto.
This will be the third year in a row the event has been cancelled, with 2020 and 2021’s cancellations caused by COVID-19.
The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District (BCRAGD) currently lists Bandera County’s drought status as extreme.
Drought restrictions, available in full at bcragd.org, are currently in place for permit holders, well owners, public water suppliers and anyone unitizing water from a public water supply system in the county.
Restrictions as of April 12 include watering one day a week before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m., refraining from non-essential uses of water and more.
The aforementioned restrictions were inspired by current groundwater levels and rainfall deficit and are available in full on BCRAGD’s website.
As of April 19, 96.13 of Texas was categorized by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in some stage of drought. Bandera County was marked as extreme, the second highest category. The highest category, exceptional, is attached to just under 16 percent of the state.