How winter will affect S.A.’S drought
Season gives aquifer chance to replenish as demand subsides
When you think of drought, heat comes to mind. But in fact, the colder months bring even less water to parched San Antonio. And yet, even without much precipitation, it’s a time of year that lets the aquifer recharge as farmers stop watering crops and residents stop watering lawns.
The months between November and March are generally some of the driest in South Texas, and La Niña — a periodic weather phenomenon that makes it warmer and drier here — has exacerbated the problem for the last two years. In a typical year, San Antonio gets 32.4 inches of precipitation. Through Tuesday, San Antonio had only 10.4 inches this year. The lowest precipitation year on record was 1917, with 10.1 inches.
“Historically, we receive about 2 inches of rain in November and December,” said Rene Gonzalez, planner III for the water resources department at the city-owned utility, San Antonio Water System. Now, he said, “we are starting to see some cold fronts come through with rain, however, so we’re hoping we’ll get a little by the end of the year.”
Despite decreased rainfall, the Edwards Aquifer will slowly begin recharging for the next few months. This is because large water-users, such as farmers, are finished irrigating for the year, and residents with pools, large lawns and gardens no longer need as much water. Last month, the aquifer was hovering right at 630 feet. By Nov. 17, it reached 635.3 feet. These numbers will continue to increase until midto-late spring, when farmers begin to irrigate again and people will water their lawns.
to learn about all of our other relatives that we’ve never met before.”
It was the first time all of Vargas’ six known lines of descendants, including three recently reunited through social media, were together. Vargas and his wife, Perfecta, had eight sons and daughters, including two who didn’t have children.
“As family members moved around, they got to learn a little bit about their lineage from their side, and then how we all fall under this great love of Perfecta de la Cruz and Juan Vargas,” Rios said.
Descendants brought blankets and heating lamps and set up a warming station. The event included a military salute, children’s games, musical and dance performances and a recognition of family elders. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-siller led a blessing, and City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval presented a city proclamation that recognized Vargas as a soldier in Mexico’s 1810-1821 war for independence from Spain; an Alamo eyewitness; family patriarch; and “celebrated centenarian.”
The weekend also included a reverent wreathlaying and musical tribute at Vargas’ grave on the East Side. Another big reunion is planned in 2030 — the bicentennial of Juan Vargas’ arrival in San Antonio from Mexico — with a smaller one possibly being organized between now and then, Rios said.
San Antonian James Bernal, 40, attended his first Vargas reunion and was interested in his ancestor’s Indigenous lineage. He was impressed with the turnout, but found the weather “remarkably cold.”
“It was nice to see that they were very organized,” Bernal said.
Heritage studies experts say family reunions provide insightful cultural perspectives. The city is developing a local African American history context statement to guide decisions on preservation priorities, and plans to conduct similar studies on San Antonio’s Latino and Indigenous heritage.
“We’ve learned so much by looking at pamphlets from family reunions that people are bringing to our community discussions,” including references to songs, recipes and other storytelling highlights, Claudia Guerra, the city’s cultural historian, recently told the Bexar County Historical Commission.