This week's rain has helped improve the drought conditions in Central Texas, but has only had a negligible effect on local lake levels.

Lower Colorado River Authority Meteorologist Bob Rose said Lake Travis is up two feet, but it's still 50 feet below full.

He said the El Niño weather system will likely lead to higher than normal rains through the spring, but whether that can overcome the drought is uncertain.

"We're still not sure that this El Niño will produce that kind of rain we need to refill, totally refill the lakes, so we all have to conserve the water supply we have,'' Rose said.

Officials with the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District said the springs respond well to just about any kind of rainfall, but the district remains in a critical stage drought.