Acequia, LP, Newsletter, Special Release, April 22, 2007

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Important Announcement, Drought Notice, July 2008

All Texas Clients:

As you are aware most of Texas has experienced drought conditions since late 2007 while May – June 2008 environmental conditions resembled July –August. Central Texas has experienced record heat and dry conditions over the last 90 days with 32 of the last 81 days (May 1 – July 20) at or above 100 degrees. As you will see from the US Drought Monitor below, Severe drought conditions extend to the Houston area; Extreme drought conditions cover most of Central Texas including San Antonio; Exceptional drought conditions include al of the Austin/ Round Rock/ Georgetown area.

In these conditions it becomes very important to perform monthly irrigation functionality checks as the limits of the irrigation systems are being stretched beyond their limits. Remember the irrigation systems are designed to provide “supplemental” irrigation to the landscapes and are not capable of distributing water as uniform as a natural rain event. Browning of the landscape in weak distribution areas will become evident very quickly as these conditions continue through the next 75 days of summer. Also recognize plants have built-in protection mechanism to shut down their systems and retreat to dormancy when certain high temperature is reached. Many turf grasses and trees reach this point when temperature stays above 100 degrees for several days in a row and will green up once temperature drop and rain occurs.

At this time we have water restrictions noted in the following areas:

Austin – 2 days per week; anticipating Stage II restrictions by
Aug 1^st which will limit irrigation to 1 day per week.

            San Antonio – No restrictions in place; Edwards Aquifer now at
            664’; at current rate of draw on the aquifer the 650’ critical level
            will be reached within 15 days.

DFW – No restrictions.

Houston – No restrictions.

The data cutoff for Drought Monitor maps is Tuesday at 7 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The maps, which are based on analysis of the data, are released each Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.