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Home , Canyon Dam (Texas), Comal River

Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 2 2015 Highlights...... 2 Dry Comal Creek and Comal River Watershed Protection Plan . . . 5 2015 Flooding...... 6 Aquatic Vegetation Control ...... 7 Geronimo Creek WPP Project Highlights Cities of Seguin and New Braunfels...... 9 Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Annual Cleanup...... 9 Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center...... 10 Isotope Study...... 11 Website ...... 11 Plum Creek WPP Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan Celebrates 10 Years. . . 12 Upper Authority 2015 Highlights Upper Guadalupe River Bacteria Reduction Plan...... 14 Overview of Water Quality Monitoring ...... 15 Monitoring Parameters FY 2015 ...... 15 2014 Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality ...... 16 Summary of Findings 2014 ...... 17 Water Quality Parameters...... 18 Public Outreach and Education ...... 19

Art Direction and Design - Janet Thome, GBRA Projects and Publications Specialist Cover photo Roseate Spoonbill CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM BASIN HIGHLIGHTS REPORT GUADALUPE RIVER and LAVACA-GUADALUPE COASTAL BASINS

This report highlights the 2015 activities of the Guadalupe River Basin and the Lavaca-Guadalupe Coastal Basin under the Clean Rivers Program (CRP) in 2015 . The CRP is managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) . The state-wide program is funded by the fees assessed to water rights and wastewater discharge permit holders . These fees are consolidated by the TCEQ and provided to the CRP partners for the administration of each river basin’s program . The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), together with the Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA), carry out the water quality management efforts in the Guadalupe River Basin under contract with TCEQ . The activities described in this report include water quality monitoring, a review of the 2014 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality, public communication, watershed planning and stewardship activities . Information on other water quality studies, planning efforts and events that could affect water quality are also included in this years Basin Highlights Report . The Year’s Highlights By Lee Gudgell, GBRA Water Quality Technician The year 2015 was a very wet extremely large rain event in the period and peaked at 44 .90 feet on year for the Guadalupe River Basin . northern portion of the watershed May 25, 2015 . This volume of water The majority of the basin received on Memorial Day weekend . From resulted in an historic United States several more inches of rainfall than May 23-25, 2015, parts of Kendall, Geological Survey (USGS) estimated normal in the first few months of Hays, Blanco and Comal counties streamflow of 175,000 cubic feet per the year . This was followed by an received over 13 inches of rain . second on the Blanco River . The San Due to the saturated soil Marcos River also rose to more than conditions from previous 40 feet at the USGS gaging station rain events, this historic near Martindale . This extreme rainfall caused extensive flooding resulted in devastating flash flooding throughout damage and loss of life and property . the upper portions of Flooding continued to influence the watershed . The San water quality in the affected Marcos River and Blanco watersheds for months after the River were especially hard event due to large amounts of debris hit . The Blanco River in in the waterways . Information about Wimberley rose nearly the Memorial weekend flooding can 35 feet within a four-hour be found on page 6 .

2 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights GBRA has been working with the impairments and threats to both Alligator Creek in a highly urbanized Texas Parks and Wildlife Department surface and groundwater within a area of Comal County to the (TPWD), Gonzales County and local watershed . WPPs integrate activities confluence of Geronimo Creek and landowners to perform invasive plant and prioritize Best Management the Guadalupe River near the city of treatment and removal activities Practices (BMPs) that are based Seguin . More information about the on Lake Wood and Lake Gonzales on their technical merit and load Geronimo and Alligator Creek WPP in Gonzales County . Nuisance reductions along with their benefit to can be found on page 8 . the community . These types GBRA continues to work of planning efforts voluntarily with the Plum Creek Watershed address complex water quality Partnership to perform monitoring problems that cross multiple and implementation activities on jurisdictions rather than follow political subdivisions, such as county lines or a cities’ extraterritorial jurisdictions . GBRA and the Geronimo macrophytes have impeded and Alligator Creeks recreational uses and navigation Stakeholder Committee on these water bodies and have continued monitoring been targeted for removal through and implementation a variety of means . Treatments activities identified by the primarily have been directed towards WPP on Geronimo Creek hydrilla and water hyacinth . More and its tributary, Alligator Creek . This Plum Creek in Hays and Caldwell information about aquatic plant WPP continues to receive funding Counties . This WPP was written treatments can be found on page 7 . from the Texas State Soil and Water in 2008 to address a bacteria UGRA continues to impairment identified in provide CRP monitoring the 2004 TCEQ 303(d) and public outreach list of impaired water services in Kerr bodies . Implementation County . The majority and monitoring activities of UGRA activities in to address the bacteria 2015 focused on the impairment and associated implementation of the nutrient concerns continue Upper Guadalupe River to occur in the watershed . bacteria reduction plan . Ongoing activities in 2015 Additional details about included an illicit discharge the UGRA and associated monitoring survey in the bacterial reduction city of Lockhart, a nitrate activities can be found isotope identification on page 14 . monitoring project, feral Several watershed hog removal and stream protection projects cleanup activities . More (WPPs) were active in the Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and information regarding Guadalupe River watershed in is facilitated by the Texas AgriLife the Plum Creek WPP and ongoing 2015 . Watershed planning projects Extension Service . This watershed management activities can be found address all sources and causes of extends from the headwaters of on page 12 . Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 3 The Highlights continued

The city of New Braunfels has The Meadows Center began In 2015, project staff completed begun work with the TCEQ and local development of a WPP with TCEQ water quality monitoring and created stakeholders on the Comal River and on the Upper in a draft BMP and load reduction Dry Comal Creek to develop a WPP 2012 . This plan was developed to report incorporating monitoring for these areas to reduce bacteria address 2010 impairment for total modeling and monitoring data . concentrations . More information dissolved solids The common thread of on watershed planning activities in (TDS) on the these community-based these watersheds can be found 303(d) list along watershed planning on page 5 . with preventative activities is the CRP . Data The Meadows Center for Water concerns related that has been collected and the Environment has been to bacteria, under the CRP has working on several WPP activities nutrients, and identified the segments in the Guadalupe River Basin . The suspended in the Guadalupe River Cypress Creek has assessed aquatic sediments . The Basin that are impaired life use concerns for depressed impairment or have concerns . When dissolved oxygen and impaired for TDS was BMPs are implemented biological habitat . The Cypress removed from in impaired water bodies, Creek WPP was developed by the the 303(d) list in it will be the monitoring Meadows Center, the TCEQ and 2014 when the conducted by the CRP that local stakeholders to address known Texas Integrated will help to determine the and future concerns in this unique Report of Surface effectiveness of the BMPs spring-fed watershed. The final Water Quality that are implemented . draft of the plan was completed showed that The CRP water quality on October 12, 2015, and the plan TDS concentrations in this stream monitoring program provides was accepted by the United States segment were meeting water quality quality-assured data that is used Environmental Protection Agency standards . Despite the assessed to characterize the watersheds, (USEPA) on November 17, 2015 . improvement in water quality, identify impairments or threats to The Cypress Creek WPP is awaiting planning activities have continued as water quality and provide a sound implementation funding to begin a proactive measure to reduce the scientific basis for implementation addressing remediation activities in likelihood of future impairments in and evaluation of BMPs . the watershed . the face of rapid population growth .

4 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Dry Comal Creek and Comal River Watershed Protection Plan By Mark Enders, Watershed Coordinator with the City of New Braunfels

Segment 1811 & 1811A: (Comal Braunfels . The Comal River is fed broken into two phases in order to River and Dry Comal Creek) The by springs from the best utilize available Clean Water Dry Comal Creek is a 34-mile long and is home to several endangered Act Section 319 grant funds . Phase tributary of the Comal River, with a species . The clear temperate waters One of the Dry Comal Creek-Comal large 110-square-mile drainage area, of the Comal are widely used for River WPP kicked off in August 2015 which begins in northern Comal recreational swimming and tubing and includes efforts to characterize County and extends to the center activities before discharging into the the watershed, assemble a working of New Braunfels . The Dry Comal is Guadalupe River . stakeholder group and define intermittent for the majority of its The city of New Braunfels is bacteria load reductions needed length, but accepts spring flows for currently moving forward with to meet applicable water quality the last mile of its journey before it the development of a Watershed standards for bacteria . Phase Two merges with the Comal River . Protection Plan (WPP) to address will involve continued stakeholder The Comal River is the shortest bacteria concerns in the Dry Comal involvement, identification of navigable river in Texas with a total Creek and Comal River watersheds . bacteria management measures, length of 2 .5 miles . The entire river The development of the Dry Comal and development of a WPP . Phase is contained within the City of New Creek-Comal River WPP has been Two of the Dry Comal Creek-Comal

Dry Comal Creek and Comal River Watersheds

² Legend Streams and Tributaries

Headwaters Dry Comal Creek West Fork Dry Comal Creek Comal River HUC12: Dry Comal Creek HUC12(s): West Fork Dry Comal West Fork Dry Comal City of New Braunfels Creek Comal County County Boundaries

Dry Comal Creek

Blanco

Hays Kendall

Comal

Bexar Guadalupe

0 1.5 3 4.5 6 Miles

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 5 Dry Comal Creek and Comal River Watershed Protection Plan continued

River WPP will commence as Creek to supplement data collected Dry Comal Creek, to help identify Phase One is completed and grant at Station 12570 (Dry Comal the impact of elevated Dry Comal funding is secured through the Creek at Seguin Street) as part of Creek bacteria concentrations on Texas Commission on Environmental the CRP monitoring conducted by the Comal River . The project team Quality (TCEQ) . The Dry Comal GBRA . The city of New Braunfels is using all existing water quality Creek-Comal River WPP project team also initiated a supplemental data from the Dry Comal Creek and includes staff from the city of New bacteria monitoring program on the Comal River to support water quality Braunfels, ARCADIS consultants Comal River to address increasing modeling efforts and to help identify and the Guadalupe-Blanco River bacteria levels in the Comal River bacteria loading trends . Authority (GBRA) . watershed . A preliminary bacteria The city of New Braunfels and Historical data collected by GBRA source tracking (BST) analysis was the project team is looking forward as part of ongoing Clean Rivers conducted in 2013 to help identify to working with local stakeholders Program (CRP) sampling identified potential bacteria sources on the Dry and partners to solidify the WPP and Dry Comal Creek (Segment 1811A) Comal Creek and Comal River . The to ultimately improve water quality as impaired for bacteria . Segment preliminary BST analysis indicated within the Dry Comal Creek and 1811A was initially included on the significant contributions from Comal River watersheds . 303(d) list in 2010 . In 2011, the wildlife . In 2014, GBRA added a new city of New Braunfels proactively monitoring location (Station 15082) initiated a bacteria monitoring on the Comal River in Landa Park, program on Dry Comal upstream of the confluence with 2015 Flooding Following above its conservation pool elevation damage along Cypress Creek in multiple years of 909 mean sea level (msl) during Wimberley, an area that also had not of drought this event as a result of heavy seen flooding in the May event. The conditions in rainfall in the Upper Guadalupe city of Kyle experienced extensive the Guadalupe River watershed . Flood releases flooding in this event as a result River watershed, from Canyon Reservoir continued for of approximately 10 inches of rain the State Climatologist several weeks until the July 4 holiday that fell in the Upper Plum Creek reported the month of to bring the reservoir back down to watershed over a period of 3 hours . May 2015 was the wettest its conservation pool . Several homes in San Marcos May on record for state-wide Intense rains again fell in the and Martindale were flooded for precipitation in Texas . Intense rains Guadalupe River watershed on the the second time in 2015, with the on May 25 in the upper watershed morning of October 30, leading to October flood cresting just a few caused the Blanco River to crest at flooding along the IH-35 corridor and inches shy of May’s record flood record flood levels. The previous in downstream communities . The levels in these areas . flood of record in Wimberley was city of New Braunfels had exceeded by more than 11 feet in escaped flooding in the May this event, causing severe damage event due to the flood control to property, infrastructure, and benefits of Canyon Reservoir. riparian vegetation . The San Marcos However, the October rainfall and Guadalupe rivers crested at occurred in the watershed major flood levels in all downstream below Canyon Dam, leading communities as these flood waters to flooding along River Road traveled downstream . Canyon and through New Braunfels . Reservoir crested more than 18 feet Floodwaters caused severe

6 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Aquatic Vegetation Control The Guadalupe-Blanco River of 2015 created high sustained flow be conducted in February of 2016 Authority (GBRA) has participated conditions, where the majority of to determine the effects of the in aquatic vegetative control efforts the hydrilla population was removed treatment . since 1997 . In 2015, Texas Parks from Lake Wood by the summer of In the spring of 2015, GBRA met and Wildlife Department (TPWD) 2015 without the need for herbicidal with several landowners along Lake performed several water hyacinth treatment . The absence of the Wood and Lake Gonzales and with and hydrilla surveys along the hydrilla population in both lakes was TPWD personnel to discuss the Guadalupe River . After the confirmed by a follow-up survey by future invasive aquatic vegetation surveys were conducted, TPWD the TPWD in February of 2016 . surveys and plan for the treatment developed survey maps that outlined On June 17, 2015, TPWD in both lakes . Through a grant the location and surface area performed a water hyacinth survey funded by TPWD, GBRA contracted in acres for the invasive aquatic on Lake Wood and Lake Gonzales with a certified licensed applicator vegetation species . (H-4) and found 52 acres of water to spray water hyacinth on both On April 14, 2015, TPWD staff hyacinth on Lake Wood and 44 lakes . A total of 13 days of spraying performed a hydrilla survey on Lake acres of water hyacinth on Lake were conducted to help control the Wood (H-5) and found approximately Gonzales . Water hyacinth is native to water hyacinth, which resulted in 65 acres of hydrilla . Hydrilla is the Amazon River in South America some of it being controlled . Future a species native to Asia and was and was introduced to the United plans to control water hyacinth introduced to the United States in States in the late 1800s through include conducting surveys in the 1950s through the aquarium the aquarium trade . Water hyacinth February and starting the control trade . Hydrilla is undesirable affects fish communities by lowering efforts in early spring instead of because it can crowd out native light penetration and oxygen levels waiting until summer . species of aquatic plants and is in the lake . Heavy infestations of capable of impeding irrigation and water hyacinth can clog waterways boating activities. However, flooding and impede boat traffic as well. A along the Guadalupe River in May follow-up survey was scheduled to

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 7 Geronimo Creek WPP Project Highlights Facilitation and Implementation Activities Segments 1804A & 1804C: Conservation Service (NRCS) and producers in implementation of the Geronimo Creek and Alligator the Environmental Protection Agency GACWPP is essential to achieve Creek Watershed Protection Plan (EPA) have been collaborating water quality improvement . As an (GACWPP) Geronimo Creek is a to protect the natural resources established and well-known local spring-fed stream that arises west of Texas for decades . Through entity, the Comal-Guadalupe SWCD of SH 123, in northern Guadalupe the TSSWCB’s Water Quality is uniquely situated to engage and County. The clear stream flows 17 Management Plan (WQMP) program, support agricultural producers in miles through the dark clays of farmers and ranchers routinely watershed restoration and protection the Texas Blackland Prairie to its implement BMPs on their land using efforts, including implementation confluence with the Guadalupe financial and technical assistance of appropriate BMPs to address River, 3 miles southeast of Seguin, programs of SWCDs that receive nonpoint source pollution . Texas . Geronimo Creek is a perennial state and federal funds from A WQMP is a site-specific plan stream that receives base flow from TSSWCB, EPA, and NRCS . Expanding developed through, and approved by, numerous contributing springs and participation of agricultural SWCDs, which includes appropriate rainfall runoff inputs from Alligator Creek, Baer Creek, and several unnamed tributaries . Alligator Creek ¨¦§35 is a 13-mile intermittent stream *#20748 Hays County that begins north of FM 1102 in Comal County . The typically dry creek bed cuts through a mixture Guadalupe County Comal County of limestone and black clay in *# New 20749 the Edwards Plateau and Texas Braunfels Blackland Prairie transition zone before it merges with the Geronimo 20750*# Creek in Guadalupe County . 20751*# Texas AgriLife Extension was *# 20743 20742*# *#14932 responsible for facilitation of *#20752 the partnership and carrying out implementation of the GACWPP . 21262*# Ward Ling serves as the watershed 714 .!*#12576 coordinator and has been involved 20753*# with assisting entities to acquire 12575*# grant funds, complete work plan deliverables, and follow-up reporting . ¨¦§10 Nonpoint agricultural sources Seguin ¤£90 of pollutant loading may be *#20744 20745*# addressed by implementing best ® ¤£90A *# 20746 management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations . *# Agricultural producers, along 20747 with soil and water conservation *# Station ID districts (SWCDs), Texas State Soil Geronimo and Alligator .! Spring Station ID and Water Conservation Board Creek Watershed Creeks and Rivers (TSSWCB), Natural Resource Geronimo Creek Watershed

8 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Geronimo Creek WPP Project Highlights continued land treatment practices, production in developing and implementing Extension provided educational practices, management measures, WQMPs and prescribed grazing training on local sources of nonpoint and technologies that prevent and plans in the Geronimo and Alligator source pollution and feral hog abate agricultural and silvicultural creeks watershed. Upon certification biology and management measures . nonpoint source pollution . SWCDs of the WQMP, the district technician Students toured a local steel provide technical assistance to will work with landowners to fabrication plant to gain “hands on” producers seeking to develop implement the BMPs prescribed in knowledge of the manufacturing a WQMP . TSSWCB and NRCS the WQMP . The district technician process . This culminated in students have various financial assistance will also assist landowners in designing and constructing feral programs that help producers applying for and obtaining financial hog traps in a high school welding implement a WQMP . TSSWCB assistance to aid in implementation class . One trap was auctioned off administers federal Clean Water of BMPs prescribed in WQMPs . at a local charity event, while others Act (CWA) §319(h) funds through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension were donated to local landowners the Comal-Guadalupe SWCD (AgriLife Extension) worked in to assist with reducing the feral hog #306 for support of one District partnership with Seguin Independent population . Technician who will provide technical School District through a grant from assistance to agricultural producers the Seguin Education Foundation . Cities of Seguin and New Braunfels Upstream in the Alligator Creek funding for the decommissioning homes in the subdivision were watershed, New Braunfels is of failing on-site sewage facilities taken off of septic systems and implementing components of its (OSSFs) in the Oak Village North connected to the wastewater system . Phase II storm water permit, which Subdivision after the homes were It is estimated that over 65 percent will reduce bacteria and nutrient connected to the city’s newly of the decommissioned septic loading in storm water . The city installed wastewater collection systems were failing . Texas A&M of Seguin has just completed a system . The OSSFs are in the AgriLife Extension staff assisted Clean Water Act §319(h) grant, project area where a suspected the city of Seguin with the grant Best Management Practice source of E. coli is likely due to application process, technical Implementation Project to Reduce the high groundwater table, high assistance, as well as final reporting Bacteria and Nitrate-nitrogen failure rate, and the OSSF’s proximity to the Texas Commission on Loading in the Geronimo Creek to Geronimo Creek . The project Environmental Quality . Watershed . The project provided was successful in that over 131 Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Annual Cleanup The Geronimo and Alligator creeks watershed protection plan partnership established an annual clean up on Geronimo and Alligator Creeks . The first event, held in the spring of 2013, was a huge success. More than 100 volunteers removed almost 3,000 pounds of trash and debris from the creeks and drainage system that drains into the creeks . Building upon the two previous years’ events, the 3rd Annual Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Clean Up event was held in April of 2015. One hundred and ninety-five volunteers cleaned up 22 locations where roadways cross the creeks and the large detention pond behind the Town Center at Creekside development . Volunteers collected 2,000 pounds of trash along 17 miles of roadway and creek banks . The city of New Braunfels and Progressive Waste Solutions donated disposal of all materials collected, and numerous other sponsors made donations of Volunteers participate in the Geronimo and finances, as well as supplies, bottled water, and expertise. Alligator Creeks annual cleanup .

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 9 Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center The Geronimo and Alligator local businesses, public and The project combines technology Creek Watershed Protection Plan private foundations, and a legion with on-the-ground demonstrations (GACWPP) states “an aggressive of volunteers, the ILSOLC has and outdoor education to implement outreach and education program will provided the citizens of south behavioral change in stakeholders be vital to successful engagement of central Texas with a multitude living and working in the Geronimo watershed stakeholders .” To provide of recreational and educational and Alligator creeks watersheds . this type of outreach, in 2015, the opportunities . ILSOLC offers many In 2015, a 5,000-gallon rainwater Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority exciting, hands-on science and harvesting system was installed (GBRA) collaborated with Texas nature activities for explorers and as part of the project, to provide A&M AgriLife Extension and the naturalists of all ages . one example of a low impact Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Geronimo Creek flows through development structure . Other Center (ILSOLC) in the project titled, the facility and is used as part of structures that will be installed as Taking Charge of Water Quality in an outdoor “classroom” for learning part of the project include pervious the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks about nature and the environment . pavement, a rain garden, vegetated Watershed through Outreach and School children of all ages from the swale, and native landscape plots . Education .” The ILSOLC is an Seguin, New Braunfels, Comal and Several of the project’s deliverables environmental and recreational San Marcos Independent School will highlight the Geronimo and learning center located in the heart Districts visit the facility annually . Alligator creeks watershed, but of the Geronimo Creek watershed . Classes rotate between stations will also be appropriate for use Beginning with an initial donation of to learn about fishing, kayaking, throughout the Guadalupe River 23 acres from local resident Carla orienteering, and outdoor recreation . Basin as well as across the state . Blumberg in 1995, the ILSOLC has This project further expands that The ILSOLC project is the first grown to more than 115 acres . rotation by adding stations that focus step taken towards implementation With incredible support from the on the environmental health of the the GACWPP . community, area school districts, creek and its riparian habitat .

Rainwater harvesting located at the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center . Photo by Debbie Magin 10 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Isotope Study

Beginning in the fall of 2013, nitrogen . The possible sources of and Geronimo Creek watershed the Guadalupe-Blanco River nitrate are numerous . Plum Creek partnerships have not waited for Authority (GBRA) and the U .S . is effluent-dominated and is also fed “impaired waterbody” status to Geologic Survey (USGS) began a by springs that come from the Leona start working on best management project in both the Geronimo and Aquifer, known to have elevated practices that could reduce sources Plum Creek watersheds . Since concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen, of nitrates . In order to help direct monitoring of Plum Creek and while Geronimo Creek is also fed efforts and funding toward the most Geronimo Creek began in the late by springs from that same aquifer . likely or most influential source(s) 1990s, these creeks have shown Stakeholders in both watersheds of nitrate, this project will look to elevated concentrations of nitrate- have long suspected fertilizer use isotopic signatures of nitrogen and nitrogen . Because the state stream as a source of the nitrates in the oxygen in the nitrates . The ratios water quality standards are not Leona, but oddly enough, elevated of the isotopes of nitrogen and numeric for nutrients exceedances, concentrations of nitrates had been oxygen in nitrate often are useful of a screening concentration of seen in water well testing long before for determining sources of nitrates 1 95. mg/L nitrate-nitrogen have commercial inorganic fertilizers in groundwater and surface water . been used to designate a stream came into use . Septic systems, Isotopic ratios are expressed as the as having a concern for nitrate- animal wastes, organic fertilizers, ratio of the heavier isotope to the nitrifying plants and atmospheric lighter isotope relative to a standard deposition round out the list of in parts per thousand (USGS, 2011) . possible sources . Seven surface water sites in The Texas Commission Plum Creek and Geronimo Creek on Environmental Quality watersheds have been sampled for (TCEQ) has begun to major ions and for selected nutrient develop water quality species, including nitrate-nitrogen standards for nutrients . and oxygen isotopes . GBRA and At the end of that USGS have conducted targeted process, the standards surface water quality monitoring established by TCEQ over a range in hydrologic conditions and the Environmental (wet and dry conditions) as well as Protection Agency (EPA) monitoring of rainwater, groundwater, could move Plum Creek wastewater effluent and springs in and Geronimo Creek from both watersheds . a designation of “concern The USGS is in the data analysis for nutrients” to the 303(d) List phase of the project and will produce of impaired waterbodies due to a final report at the end of the three- elevated nutrients . The Plum Creek year project . Website The Guadalupe-Blanco River be viewed on a desktop computer GBRA continues in its commitment Authority (GBRA) continues to format, but with a growing population to respond quickly and accurately maintain the project website, with of people accessing the website on to requested webpage updates and input from Texas additions . The A&M AgriLife project page has Extension . In received over 2015, GBRA made the project mobile devices, GBRA made the 75,000 visits since its development webpage mobile device friendly . The decision to increase the readability, in September 2009 . original webpage was designed to as well as the usefulness, of the site .

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 11 Plum Creek WPP The Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan Celebrates 10 Years! Segment 1810: (Plum Creek) Plum Creek begins are reasonably expected to result in attainment of near FM 2770 east of IH-35, in northeastern Hays all standards .” County. The stream flows 52 miles to its confluence with It is important to note that watershed restoration the San Marcos River in Caldwell County south of Luling . of the size and scale undertaken by the PCWP cannot At base flow, Plum Creek is best described as a shallow, be realized overnight. Drought, floods, development, slow moving, effluent dominated stream that flows from changing land use and the economy all play critical the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion through the gently rolling roles in this complex system of spring-fed streams, flood hills of the Texas Blackland Prairie. Two major floods in control structures, municipal storm sewers, agricultural 2015, took Plum Creek well over its banks and resulted runoff and permitted effluent discharges. While the in substantial property loss throughout the watershed . achievement of water quality goals, i .e . the removal The substrate of the creek is primarily made up of of the bacteria impairment and nutrient concerns, hard black clay while riparian vegetation consists of remain the focus of the PCWP, there is much more to the agricultural fields and scrub oak trees. story of this remarkable group, now entering a defining Segment Concerns: In 2004, Plum Creek was listed tenth year . on the Texas 303(d) list for not meeting its designated From the time it was established in 2006, the PCWP contact recreation use due to elevated bacteria has effectively increased water quality awareness in concentrations . In response, the Texas State Soil and urban neighborhoods and rural communities throughout Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and Texas A&M the Plum Creek watershed and beyond . The PCWP AgriLife Extension worked with local stakeholders to establish the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership (PCWP) in April 2006 . The PCWP Steering Committee went to work and in February 2008 published the Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) . The WPP detailed a non-regulatory, voluntary approach to reduce pollutant loading from a number of sources including urban storm water runoff, pet waste, failing or inadequate on-site sewage facilities (septic systems), wastewater treatment facilities, livestock, wildlife, invasive species (feral hogs), and oil and gas production . In 2009, the Plum Creek WPP became the first in Texas accepted by the U .S . Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . While stakeholder involvement and the pace of the WPP implementation has been strong, according to the 2014 Texas Integrated Report . Plum Creek continues to be impaired by elevated concentrations of E. coli bacteria and exhibits concerns for depressed dissolved oxygen and impaired habitat, as well as nutrient enrichment concerns for ammonia, nitrate, and total phosphorus . Because of the development and implementation of the Plum Creek WPP, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) categorizes Plum Creek as a Category 4b stream, meaning that regulatory action in the form of a Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for wastewater permit holders on Plum Creek is not scheduled as “other control requirements

12 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Plum Creek WPP Celebrates 10 Years

has collaborated with dozens Moving forward, the PCWP of Kyle totaling over $500,000; of organizations and industry and Plum Creek WC will continue a TSSWCB CWA § 319(h) funded specialists to provide workshops to work with local municipalities bacterial source tracking study for ranging from riparian habitat and groups like Keep Lockhart the Plum Creek watershed; nine restoration to smart growth concepts Beautiful, which was one of only 10 stream and/or community cleanup for municipal officials. Guadalupe- recipients of the 2015 Governor’s events; illicit dumping site cleanups, Blanco River Authorities youth Community Achievement Award, and riparian workshops and youth education program, emphasizing the Caldwell County Feral Hog Task education programs . the importance of conserving and Force (CCFHTF), which has received The PCWP remains strong for protecting water resources reaches national and international attention many reasons from local community every public school in the watershed . for its unique approach to invasive support, to the efforts of a devoted Community events like the Keep species management . Formed by local WC, to the unwavering support Lockhart Beautiful Annual Cleanup, a group of concerned landowners of state agencies like the TSSWCB now entering its ninth year, regularly brought together by the Plum Creek and TCEQ . Perhaps there is no draw volunteers by the hundreds . WC in 2013, the CCFHTF mission is bigger reason for the strength and Thousands of acres of agricultural “To monitor and reduce the impact success of the PCWP than the lands in the watershed are now of feral hogs to the land, water steadfast dedication of the PCWP covered by individual “Water Quality and wildlife species of Caldwell Steering Committee . This core Management Plans .” People are truly County.” Since its first coordinated group of individuals, described by taking ownership of their impacts to management program began in one retired member as “guinea the watershed thanks to the efforts September 2013, the CCFHTF has pigs” for watershed protection, of the PCWP, and that energy is not documented the removal of over has remained virtually unchanged fading . In recent years, the PCWP 9,000 feral hogs in Caldwell County, over the project’s initial 10 years has remained actively engaged in an estimated economic benefit of of existence . The commitment, Plum Creek WPP implementation, well over $3 million . The landowner knowledge, experience, integrity setting the standard for watershed cooperative and incentive programs and evenhandedness of PCWP protection in the State of Texas by championed by the CCFHTF are Steering Committee members are hiring a local watershed coordinator modeled on the successful design the foundation of the PCWP’s solid (WC) and securing over $2 million in of the PCWP . reputation and reason the PCWP local, state and national investment Noteworthy 2016 projects in has a seat at the table when in watershed projects since 2012 . which the PCWP will be actively decisions are made that will affect TSSWCB Project #14-10, along engaged include: two TCEQ Clean the future of water quality in the with a renewed 12-party interlocal Water Act (CWA) § 319(h) funded Plum Creek watershed . agreement will ensure a local Plum Low Impact Development projects Creek WC into 2018 . for Caldwell County and the city

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 13 Upper Guadalupe River Authority 2015 Highlights

Upper Guadalupe River Bacteria Reduction Plan By Travis Linscomb, UGRA In 2015, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) continued implementing measures to address the bacteria impairment in the Upper Guadalupe River . A portion of the Upper Guadalupe River was first listed as impaired for E. coli bacteria in 2002 . Since that time, UGRA worked in partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the city of Kerrville, Kerr County, and the Texas Department of Transportation to address the impairment . The result of this partnership is the Bacteria Reduction Plan (Plan) for the Upper Guadalupe River that includes strategies to address the primary sources of bacteria pollution. Specifically, the Plan includes strategies focusing on birds nesting on bridges, large flocks of domestic waterfowl congregating in the lakes, septic systems, and pollution from general urban runoff . The ultimate goal of the Plan is to reduce bacteria concentrations in the Upper Guadalupe River to levels that meet the contact recreation criteria defined in the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS) . Funding for the Plan through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant from TCEQ officially ended in August 2014. Nevertheless, UGRA and the other local partners remained committed to continuing the management measures outlined in the Plan . UGRA coordinated with TCEQ and the Guadalupe- Blanco River Authority (GBRA) to incorporate the monitoring efforts initiated under the Plan into routine Clean Rivers Program monitoring . In doing so, disruption in the collection of water quality data was avoided and these sites continued to be sampled monthly throughout 2015 . Additional strategies were also continued during the last year including the utilization of pet waste stations throughout the watershed, routine waterway clean up events, airing of public service announcements on local radio stations raising awareness of potential bacteria sources, and the development of signage discouraging waterfowl feeding . Success from these efforts was realized in 2015 when both TCEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the most recent Texas Integrated Report that shows all sections of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County meeting bacteria standards!

14 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Overview of Water Quality Monitoring One of the key roles of the Clean Rivers Program quality in all Kerr County surface waterbodies . The (CRP) is fostering coordination and cooperation in UGRA has served as a long-time CRP partner with the monitoring efforts . Coordinating monitoring meetings Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), to ensure are held annually and are attended by the entities the programs objectives are met in Kerr County and collecting water quality throughout the entire Guadalupe River Basin . data on the Guadalupe The goals of the CRP are to provide quality- River and its tributaries . assured data to the TCEQ for decision-making, By coordinating these identify and evaluate water quality issues, efforts and discussing the promote cooperative watershed planning, areas in need of additional recommend management strategies, inform monitoring, more data will and engage stakeholders and maintain be collected, maximizing efficient use of public funds. the limited resources The Wimberley Valley Watershed available to these Association (WVWA) is conducting the Blanco entities . Table 1 below River- Cypress Creek Water Quality Monitoring outlines the types and Program . The goals of the program include amounts of water quality establishing a baseline of water quality data; monitoring conducted identifying potential pollution problems; in the Guadalupe River documenting spatial and temporal changes; Basin and the Lavaca- determining impacts of point and non-point Guadalupe Coastal Basin source pollution; and assessing compliance under a Texas Commission with water quality standards . The program on Environmental Quality will also provide recommendations for local (TCEQ) approved Quality planning efforts to protect water quality . The Assurance Project Plan for GBRA is providing technical assistance and September 2014 through August 2015 . oversight of monitoring activities in addition to the As the lead water resource planning agency for the laboratory analyses and quality assurance support . Upper Guadalupe River Basin, UGRA partners with The complete monitoring schedule is available at: municipal and county governments, communities, civic http://cms.lcra.org. groups, and citizens to preserve and protect the water

Table 1 . Monitoring parameter and frequencies conducted by monitoring partners in the Guadalupe River Basin in 2015 .

Monitoring Parameters in FY 2015 ( September 2014 through August 2015) Biological 24 hr. Metals Metals Organics Organics Sampling Field Conventional Bacteria and Dissolved in in in in Entity Parameters Parameters Habitat Oxygen Water Sediment Water Sediment GBRA 19 sites 19 sites 19 sites 1 site 1 site 1 site 1 site 1 site 1 site monthly; monthly; monthly; twice a year twice a year annually annually annually annually 8 sites quarterly 8 sites quarterly 8 sites quarterly UGRA 9 sites monthly; 11 sites 9 sites monthly; 1 site 1 site 11 sites quarterly 11 sites twice a year twice a year quarterly quarterly

TCEQ 11 sites 11 sites 11 sites 1 site 1 site quarterly quarterly quarterly twice a year twice a year A WVW 9 sites 9 sites 9 sites 1 site quarterly quarterly quarterly annually

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 15 2014 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality in the Guadalupe River Basin and Lavaca-Guadalupe Coastal Basin The Environmental Protection other pollution prevention or control segments in the Guadalupe River Agency (EPA) conducted a complete activity associated with the segment Basin and Lavaca-Guadalupe review of the Texas Commission on and it is reasonable to expect future Coastal Basin, including segments Environmental Quality (TCEQ) 2014 attainment of the water quality that have water quality impairments Texas Integrated Report of Surface standards . Category 4 contains those reported on the 303(d) or concerns Water Quality in the Guadalupe River impaired water bodies that are not identified in the 2014 Integrated Basin . Based on its review, EPA has supporting because of something Report . There were no new stream determined that Texas’ 2014 list of other than a pollutant . Category 5 segments listed as impaired in water quality impaired segments still contains water bodies that do not the 2014 report, but two stream requiring total maximum daily loads meet the applicable water quality segments are no longer listed . The (TMDLs) meets the requirements of standards or is threatened for one Guadalupe River above Canyon Section 303(d) of the Clean Water or more designated uses by one Lake (Segment 1806) is no longer Act (CWA) and EPA’s implementing or more pollutants . This category listed for contact recreation use regulations . TCEQ produces a new contains impaired water bodies impairment of bacteria report every two years on even that have a TMDL underway or concentrations as current data numbered years as required by scheduled or it is recommended now shows the stream meets the law . The Integrated Report lists that a review of the water quality assessment standard . The Upper all segments in Texas that were standards be performed or San Marcos River (Segment 1814) assessed and assigned a level of additional data be collected . is no longer listed for general use support . A healthy stream segment The segments located in the impairment of total dissolved solids that meets the designated water Guadalupe River Basin that are concentrations because current quality assessment criteria is listed reported on the 303(d) are listed data shows that it now meets as fully supporting, (that data shows on the table on page 17 . Table the standard . the stream standards are met), or 2 includes all assessed stream no concern, (data shows the stream did not show excessive exceedances Guadalupe River Basin and Lavaca-Guadalupe Coastal Basin of screening criteria) . Those stream segments that do not meet the applicable water quality criteria will receive a designation of nonsupport, screening level concern or use concern, based on the specific criteria being assessed . A segment can also receive a designation of not assessed if there is not enough data available . Each segment that is listed as impaired is assigned an assessment category to provide information about the water quality status or management activities being conducted on that water body . Category 4 contain those water bodies that have had a TMDL or

16 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Table 2 . Summary of Findings from the 2014 Texas Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality in the Guadalupe River Basin . (Assessed using data inclusive of December 1, 2005 through November 30, 2012) Impairment or Segment Water Body Impairment or Concern Concern Category Year Number Removed 2014 (if assigned) Listed 1701 Victoria Barge Canal Nitrate-Nitrogen and Chlorophyll-a Note 1 2000 1801 Guadalupe River Tidal Nitrate-Nitrogen Note 1 2002 1802 Guadalupe River below Nitrate-Nitrogen Note 1 2002 1803 Guadalupe River below San Marcos River Nitrate-Nitrogen Bacteria Note 1 2014 1803A Elm Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen; Chlorophyll-a 5b; Note 1 1999 1803B Sandies Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen; Impaired Fish 5b 1999 and Macrobenthic Communities; Bacteria; Impaired Biological Habitat; Chlorophyll-a 1803C Peach Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen; Bacteria; 5b 2002 Impaired Fish Community; Total Phosphorous and Chlorophyll-a 1803D Salty Creek Not Assessed 1803E Little Elm Creek Not Assessed 1803F Denton Creek Not Assessed Bacteria 1803G Sandy Fork Not Assessed Bacteria 1804 Guadalupe River below Comal River No Impairments or Concerns 1804A Geronimo Creek Bacteria; Nitrate-Nitrogen 5c; Note 1 2006 1804C Alligator Creek No Impairments or Concerns 1804D Bear Creek Bacteria Note 1 2014 1805 Mercury in Edible Fish Tissue; Ammonia-Nitrogen 5c; Note 1 2006 1806 Guadalupe River above Canyon Reservoir Impaired Biological Habitat Bacteria Note 1 1999 1806A Camp Meeting Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen Note 1 2004 1806D Quinlan Creek Bacteria; Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 5a; Note 1 2010 1806E Town Creek Bacteria; Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 5a; Note 1 2010 1807 Coleto Creek No Impairments or Concerns 1807A Perdido Creek No Impairments or Concerns 1808 Lower San Marcos River No Impairments or Concerns 1809 Lower Blanco River No Impairments or Concerns 1810 Plum Creek Bacteria; Depressed Dissolved Oxygen; 4b; Note 1 2004 Impaired Biological Habitat; Nitrate-Nitrogen; Total Phosphorus 1810A Town Branch Bacteria; Depressed Dissolved Oxygen and Note 1 2014 Nitrate-Nitrogen 1811 Comal River No Impairments or Concerns 1811A Dry Comal Creek Bacteria 5c 2010 1812 Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam No Impairments or Concerns 1813 Upper Blanco River No Impairments or Concerns Depressed Dissolved Oxygen 1814 Upper San Marcos River No Impairments or Concerns Total Dissolved Solids 1815 Cypress Creek Depressed Dissolved Oxygen and Impaired Note 1 2006 Biological Habitat 1816 Johnson Creek No Impairments or Concerns 1817 North Fork Guadalupe River No Impairments or Concerns 1818 South Fork Guadalupe River Depressed Dissolved Oxygen Note 1 2014 Note 1: No impairment assessment category is assigned to this segment. A water quality concern was identified rather than an impairment of a designated use. Concerns are identified for bodies of water near-nonattainment of water quality standards (CN) or not meeting numerical screening levels (CS). Category 4: Standard is not attained or nonattainment is predicted in the near future due to one or more parameters, but no TMDLs are required. 4b: Other pollution control requirements are reasonably expected to result in the attainment of the water quality standard in the near future. Category 5: Standard is not attained or nonattainment is predicted in the near future for one or more parameters. 5a: TMDLs are underway, scheduled, or may be scheduled for one or more parameters. 5b :Review standards for one or more parameters will be conducted before a management strategy is selected, including a possible revision to the water quality standards. 5c: Additional data or information will be collected and/or evaluated for one or more parameters before a management strategy is selected.

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 17 Water Quality Parameters Field Parameters are water quality constituents that can be Total Suspended Solids indicate the amount of particulate obtained on-site and generally include: dissolved oxygen matter suspended in the water column . (DO), conductivity, pH, temperature, stream flow (not in Hardness is a composite measure of certain ions in water, reservoirs), and secchi disc depth (reservoirs only) . primarily calcium and magnesium . The hardness of the Dissolved Oxygen indicates the amount of oxygen available water is critical due to its effect on the toxicity of certain in the stream to support aquatic life . DO can be reduced by metals . Typically, higher hardness concentrations in the the decomposition of organic matter . receiving stream can result in reduced toxicity of heavy Conductivity is a measure of the water body’s ability to metals . conduct electricity and indicates the approximate levels Chloride and Sulfate are major inorganic anions in water of dissolved salts, such as chloride, sulfate and sodium . and wastewater . Numeric stream standards for chloride Elevated concentrations of dissolved salts can impact water and sulfate have been set on all of the classified stream as a drinking water source and aquatic habitat . segments in the basin . Both of these inorganic constituents pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in an can impact the designated uses and can come from point aqueous solution . It is a measure of the acidity or basic and nonpoint sources, such as wastewater discharges, oil property of the water . Chemical and biological processes field activities, and abandoned flowing wells from ground- can be affected by the pH. The pH can be influenced by water with elevated concentrations of dissolved solids . dissolved constituents, such as carbon dioxide and by point Other Parameters and nonpoint source contributions to the stream . Bacteria, specifically E. coli, is used as an indicator of the Temperature of the water affects the ability of the water possible presence of disease-causing organisms . to hold dissolved oxygen . It also has an impact on the Biological and Habitat assessment includes collection of biological functions of aquatic organisms . fish community data, benthic macroinvertebrate (insects) Stream Flow is an important parameter affecting water data, and measurement of physical habitat parameters . quality. Low flow conditions common in the warm summer This information is used to determine whether the stream months create critical conditions for aquatic organisms . adequately supports a diverse and desirable biological Under these conditions, the stream has a lower assimilative community . The physical, chemical and biological data capacity for waste inputs from point and nonpoint sources . are used together to provide an integrated assessment of Secchi Disc transparency is a measure of the depth to which aquatic life support . light is transmitted through the water column, and thus the 24-Hour DO studies perform measurements of DO in depth at which aquatic plants can grow . frequent intervals (e g. ,. one hour) in a 24-hour period . Conventional Parameters are typical water quality The average and minimum concentrations in the 24-hour constituents that require laboratory analysis and generally period are compared to corresponding criteria . This type of include: nutrients, chlorophyll a, total suspended solids, monitoring takes into account the diurnal variation of DO turbidity, hardness, chloride, and sulfate . and avoids the bias in samples taken only at certain times of the day . Nutrients include the various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus . Elevated nutrient concentrations may result in Metals in Water, such as mercury or lead, typically exist excessive aquatic plant growth and can make a water body in low concentrations, but can be toxic to aquatic life or unfit for its intended use(s). human health when certain levels are exceeded . To obtain accurate data at low concentrations, the GBRA uses special Chlorophyll a is a plant pigment whose concentration is an clean methods that minimize the chance for sample indicator of the amount of algal biomass and growth in contamination and provide high quality data . the water . Organics and Metals in Sediment could be a source of Turbidity is a measure of water clarity or light transmitting toxicants for the overlying water, though currently there are properties . Increases in turbidity are caused by suspended no numeric sediment standards . and colloidal matter such as clay, silt, fine organic and inorganic matter, plankton and other microscopic Organics in Water, such as pesticides or fuels, can be organisms . toxic to aquatic life or human health when certain levels are exceeded .

18 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights Public Outreach and Education A vital component of the Clean Rivers Program to the lack of time that children spend outdoors . Citing (CRP) is the participation of citizens, public and private research, the conclusion is that direct exposure to institutions, private industries and others in determining nature is essential for healthy childhood development the basin’s activities as well as the CRP activities and for the physical and emotional health of children . statewide . The public plays a crucial role in determining GBRA strongly supports the concept that children how to best protect the Guadalupe River Basin water need to spend more time outdoors, and works actively resources for the future . These opportunities also throughout the basin to provide such opportunities for provide for direct public participation to ensure that school-age children . community concerns are addressed . Education staff lends itself to a number of outdoor Each year the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority education facilities throughout the Guadalupe River (GBRA) and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority Basin . Often times, GBRA has played the lead in offering (UGRA) conduct one basin-wide Steering Committee outdoor classroom experiences to students . The Canyon meeting . The steering committee membership includes Lake Gorge has been the site of such experiences for representation from municipalities, counties, industries, the last two years. Over 1,500 fifth-grade students homeowner organizations, and state agencies . Meetings from neighboring schools were given the opportunity to are scheduled to provide direction for the general CRP explore water related topics: the food web in aquatic activities, as well as the development of work plans, environments, water quality, groundwater/surface monitoring plans, and major reports . These meetings are water interactions, landforms, erosion, and nonpoint public meetings and their primary purpose is to review source pollution . This model will be used in outdoor and approve achievable water quality objectives and classroom experiences at Jacob’s Well State Natural priorities, give consideration to available technology, Area and Coleto Creek Park and Reservoir in spring and guide work plans and the allocation of available 2016 . Students will rotate through stations, most of resources . If you are interested in attending, notice of which will have a water theme . GBRA may be the lead CRP Steering Committee meetings are made available on the development and planning of these field trips, on the GBRA website at http://www .gbra .org/crp/ and but rely heavily on volunteers to assist with the stations . associated meeting minutes are made available at Master naturalists have been a tremendous help with http://www gbra. .org/crp/participate .aspx . both planning and implementation of these programs, It has been over 10 years since Richard Louv’s especially at the Gorge and Jacob’s Well . Last Child in the Woods hit the radar of Environmental A partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Education . This award-winning landmark book coined Department (TPWD) at Lockhart State Park also provides the phrase nature deficit disorder, and called attention opportunities for students to explore water quality . In

Steering committee meeting held at the GBRA River Annex .

Guadalupe River and Lavaca Guadalupe Coastal Basin 19 Public Outreach and Education continued the fall, GBRA staff lead sessions for Lockhart ISD students on macroinvertebrates and water quality . In the springtime, these same students explore water quality monitoring by testing the dissolved oxygen level in Clear Fork Creek . The Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center (ILSOLC) has a long partnership with GBRA . Geronimo Creek flows through the center’s property. For more than a decade, hundreds of students annually from area school districts, including San Marcos, Seguin, New Braunfels, Navarro, Marion and Comal ISDs have participated in GBRA led sessions on macroinvertebrates and water quality, Volunteers work to build trails at the Environmental Learning Center Property adjacent to the Canyon Lake Gorge . water quality testing, watersheds and nonpoint source pollution . Through a 319 NonPoint Source Quality, these efforts will be expanded in the future . grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Plans for a Riparian Walk, a geocaching activity, and a new interactive computer program, students will be introduced to the benefits of maintaining a healthy riparian system and how this affects water quality . In the future, GBRA hopes to provide additional water quality sessions at its planned Environmental Learning Center in Comal County . The 20 .5-acre property adjacent to the Canyon Lake Gorge will have classrooms and extensive programming to meet the outdoor experiential needs of area schools . TPWD has approved this and all other sites afore- mentioned as Certified Aquatic Science Field Sites . This effort has designated over 25 sites across the state of Texas, and of those nine are in the Guadalupe River Basin . Efforts by these sites and their partners continue to promote water quality education for students throughout the watershed – and working to eliminate nature deficit disorder in the process.

Elementary school students participate in environmental education field trips.

20 2016 Clean Rivers Program Basin Highlights

Prepared in Cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

The preparation of the report was financed through funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The State of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer . It is the policy of the State of Texas not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, veteran satus or disability. 933 East Court Street, Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-5822 www.gbra.org

WQ-BHR-2016/AusTx-300