The Brief The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is warning groundwater levels within the district are approaching historic lows If current conditions continue, a Stage 4 emergency response could be declaredAfter nearly four years of drought, the aquifer that feeds Barton Springs and supplies drinking water to thousands, is nearing historic lows. What they're saying:The Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is warning groundwater levels within the district are approaching historic lows. "We're almost missing an entire year's worth of rainfall," said Shay Hlavaty with the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. "For Barton Springs, right now it is at about 12.4 cfs, which is cubic feet per second. Shay Hlavaty says that means Barton Springs is only flowing at about a quarter of what it should be.