Well, good news! The Mountain City Oaks Water System well rose to 62 feet above the pump, up dramatically from 46 feet above in January.
In January 2011, before the current drought hit, the water level sat comfortably at 86 feet above the pump. By October and November 2011, it dropped to 38 feet above the pump.
By Feb. 23, we’ll know if the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board releases us from Stage 3 Critical Drought restrictions.
TexasWater.org lists a contact number for info on “Conserve Our Water Supply” yard signs, Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation: 282-8441.
•••
Drought tolerant native plants broke forth into green life and blooms in recent weeks. Already caterpillars gobble leaves of our passion vines.
•••
A long garter snake slithered alongside our house on a quite cold day recently. With cell service available inside and outside now, RonTom joined me to enjoy the wildlife. I did not see enough to get an exact identification, but I did flip through “A Field Guide to Texas Snakes,” a gift from former snake rescuer Craig McIntyre to see some possibilities. He helped me see the value of non-venomous snakes in my wildscape and gave me a willingness to send venomous snakes offsite.
Nowadays, Rick Thomas rescues snakes found in and around Mountain City. Phone 393-1986 to make arrangements for pickup of trapped snake.
The preface of the field guide quotes Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum: In the end we will preserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, we will only understand what we have learned.
RonTom “preserved” a longer-than-3-inch scorpion found in our entry last week … in a closed medicine bottle. We cannot recall a larger or longer one.
•••
City of Mountain City City Council seats are available. Neither Rick Tarr nor Kevin Johnson plan to file for re-election. To file, contact City Secretary, Ellis Craig, 268-1239 or [email protected] by March 5.
•••
You might read this in time to make the Sheriff’s Town Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23, at the Hays High School Media Center, Career and Technology Building.
Have you learned how to submit a tidbit? Email [email protected] or phone 268-5678. Thanks! Love to you, Pauline
