Hydrogeologist Brian Smith has been checking the levels of some key water wells by hand and the depth of the well water he's examining has experts sounding the alarm.
"We believe that we're at the critical stage of drought for the aquifer at this time," he said.
In addition to wells, experts are monitoring the flows at Barton Springs Pool. When the average flow out of the springs drops below 20 cubic feet per second, or when water levels at a monitored well drop to critical levels, it triggers mandatory cuts in water use.
Kirk Holland of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District said the winter months are challenging when handling a drought.
"It's difficult, especially during the winter months because there isn't as much discretionary use," he said.
Those cuts will affect people in communities that get their water from wells controlled by the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.
That means in southern Travis County and cities like Buda, restrictions that are already in place will become stricter.
Buda's Assistant City Manager Sarah Mangham said her city is ready to enact tougher rules.
"We know we have to do what we can to keep our plants alive, but we need to do what we can to watch our water usage and protect our aquifer as much as we can," she said.
Those restrictions mean some of the green spaces in Buda won't be seeing any water for a while.
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Critical drought
For the second time its 20 year history the Barton Springs Edwards
Aquifer Conservation District has
declared a critical stage drought.
 
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Parks and public landscaping won't be getting any water until the drought comes to an end. Washing sidewalks and driveways is also prohibited.
In Kyle, City Manager Tom Mattis says they get water from several different sources, so the new restrictions won't be as noticeable.
"If this were July or August, it would be a lot more painful for us than we think it will be now," he said.
With drier than normal weather forecast for the coming months, experts are worried the drought could remain at critical levels for months to come.
"If we don't get some significant rains this winter or in the spring, we could be facing another hot dry summer and very serious conditions at Barton Springs and the aquifer," Smith said.
The last time a critical stage drought was declared was 2006. A wet spring and summer in 2007 brought the aquifer back to above normal levels. Parks and areas like this median won't be getting any water until the drought comes to an end.
In Kyle, they get water from several different sources so the new restrictions won't be as noticeable.
Conservationists say one of the best ways to conserve water is to know how much you're using. Then you can make cuts that'll lower your total usage.
