Stengl "Lost Pines" Biological Research Station
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Rain, Rain, Rain
It has been another hot dry summer at Stengl Biological Field Station. Triple digit temperatures and drought conditions finally gave way to wetter weather and cooler temperatures. Friday nearly three inches of rain fell. Throughout the weekend slight, but constant, showers kept the totals adding up. I estimate Stengl received 3.5″ of rain from this system, which is more than the entire summer brought.
The highs have been in the low 80’s and night time lows have touched the 60’s. All of this is very welcome as the wetter weather, if only temporarily, calms concerns over a repeat of last years tragic fire filled end of summer.
Weather Changes
The past few weeks have brought some weather changes to the area. Some welcome, some not so much. We have had several significant rain events, which have greened things up a little and put some water back in the pond. This rain is long overdue and I’m hopeful it will continue.
Last night we had an early freeze, which I’m not sure if I’m ready for. This drafty old farm house and a few space heaters make early mornings this time of year tough.
Finally!
Yesterday good news fell from the sky one drop at a time. I woke to the wonderful sound of rain on a tin roof. What made it even more special was that yesterday was the first time since November that I have had any rain. I only received about 3/4 of an inch and we’re still in the middle of a heavy drought, but every drop counts
Rain, rain, rain.
It’s been wet outside for some time now. Though there have been days of sunshine, the ground remains soggy. The pond is at the highest level I’ve ever measured.
Bad weather drove a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos into the open. First I’ve seen here. Occur in this area in winter only.
Quick Turnaround
September brought more rain to our area than the previous twelve months combined. We are officially still in a precipitation deficit for the year, but it’s been so wet around here that’s hard to appreciate. One week large mature trees were dying from the drought, the next week the soggy ground caused equally large living trees to fall over. The pond is full, but JD Creek is barely a trickle. The meadows have really greened up, and their uniform rebirth provide a visually stunning contrast to their appearance just weeks ago.
Drought Buster?
The past three weeks have brought lots of rain. Things could not have changed any more dramatically than they did. Before this cycle of storms moved in trees were dying, the grass was completely burned up, and the pond was little more than a mud puddle. Stengl lost many mature pine trees during this two year drought, initiating a survey to be repeated by a UT Field Biology class next weekend. The lawn area near the residence had become a sandbox. The pond shrank to an area the size of a parking space and was only 6-8 inches deep. The few fish that were left had been scooped out by hungry raccoons.
Then the rain came. It started in small showers. Then a week of light, but steady rain. After two weeks Stengl had received nearly 4 inches. That’s more rain than we’ve had here in the past year. Still, the pond remained unchanged. I guess the ground was so dry and the rain so spread out that it all just soaked in. Friday, everything changed. In less than 12 hours over five inches of rain fell. I have two rain gauges, both stop at 5 inches and both had overflowed. Saturday morning I walked down to the pond hoping to see some change. Change indeed, the pond was completely full. Overnight the pond had filled to within 2 feet of breaching the dam. From drought to flood, trees are still struggling. The saturated ground caused several mature post oaks to fall over, due to the unstable substrate. The grass is doing wonderfully. Once barren sand, the Bermuda grass has returned and had quickly shot to knee high. It’s now gone to seed and once those are dispersed, I’ll mow it again. Things should really start looking good around here again. I hope we’ve reached the end of this, the worst drought in the recorded history of Bastrop County.
Rain, real rain!
Yesterday afternoon brought a surprise that has been a long time coming. Clouds rolled in, bringing thunder and lightning like I haven’t heard here in well over a year. The rain fell hard for over an hour. 2.4 inches in all. After view the radar and checking some nearby weather reports, it seems I was very lucky. Smithville, 7 miles away, only recorded 0.6 inches. Very isolated heavy summer storm. Unfortunately the pond level did not noticeably change. Despite the intensity of the rain, the thirsty soil here soaked it right up, leaving little runoff.
Rain
Last Friday it rained all day, putting 3.2 inches into the rain gauge. The surprise came Saturday with another 0.9 inch. JD Creek still does not flow, but there are many more small pools than there were before. The pond has risen, but still is far from full.
Early Morning Thunderstorm
A clap of thunder woke me at 5 am this morning. As I was shaken from my slumber I realized it was raining…hard. Its been a while since I’ve heard it rain like this. It only lasted about half an hour, but it was heavy and steady. Thunder and lightning mixed in with the constant drumming on the tin roof. It ended as abruptly as it started and by the time the sun rose, the skies were completely clear and we logged in another 0.4″ of rain.
3/15/09 Spring has Sprung
It was as if someone flipped a switch. Last week’s rain has really turned things on. Blue bonnets are blooming, phlox are out, and the grass has grown about 4 inches in as many days. Things have really greened up out here. Lot’s of trachymyrmex activity on the soil surface.
Stengl "Lost Pines" Biological Research Station 