Atkinson Farms' seven wells keep Spring crops alive amid drought

Seven deep wells keep Atkinson Farms alive while burn bans spread across Southeast Texas and forecasters warn a full drought may be on the way.

Mike Atkinson, co-owner of the 100-acre farm at 3217 Spring Cypress Road, told ABC13 on Tuesday, Aug. 18, that decades of experience have taught his family to plan for the worst three months of the year.

"It's August; we expect it to be hot, we expect it to be dry. We water everything that a lot of other people cannot...we have seven big wells that we water out of," Atkinson said.

The farm has operated in Spring since 1961, transitioning over the years from traditional row cropping to a diversified operation that includes vegetable production and agritourism. Atkinson told Texas Farm Bureau in 2022 that when his family arrived, the property was "a mile-and-a-half from I-45 and the third house on the left." Suburban development has long since surrounded it.

Despite the heat, Atkinson said he's not panicking. He acknowledged the stress but framed it as part of the job: eight or nine good months, then three hard ones that test you.

Burn bans and drought outlook

Southeast Texas is not yet officially in drought, according to ABC13's weather team, but forecasters say one could develop given the persistent lack of rain. As of Tuesday, Aug. 18, Galveston, Trinity, Polk, Lavaca and Matagorda counties had all issued burn bans. Harris County was not among them.

Resources for Spring-area residents and businesses

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Small businesses and nonprofits in Harris County affected by drought conditions dating to Dec. 29, 2025, can apply for federal low-interest loans of up to $2 million through the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to Ready Harris. Interest rates start at 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years and no payments required during the first 12 months. The application deadline is Sept. 14. Apply at sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955. Note: agricultural producers and farmers are generally not eligible for this program, though small nurseries and aquaculture enterprises may qualify.

WaterMyYard.org: Several Spring-area municipal utility districts have directed residents to this free tool, backed by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, which delivers weekly watering recommendations based on local weather data. Homeowners can sign up at watermyyard.org.

Eye On Water: Harris County MUD 82 is urging residents to enroll in this free smart-meter monitoring app that tracks household water consumption and sends leak alerts.