UPPER LLANO RIVER WATERSHED PROTECTION ISSUE 3 PLAN NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2013

STATUS OF THE UPPER LLANO WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN BY EMILY SELDOMRIDGE Quarterly water quality sampling was con- Welcome to the third Upper Llano River ducted in June. Data from the June and pre- Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) newslet- vious samplings suggest the Upper Llano Inside this issue: ter and thank you for your interest in pre- remains in a healthy condition. All water serving our valuable resource. quality monitoring data are shared at Com- Upper Llano River 2 Since the release of the Spring newsletter, mittee meetings and the presentations post- WPP Working Groups writing of the WPP started, the Texas Well ed on the South Llano Watershed Alliance website. The next sampling will also include Owner Network workshop was held (see Looking Ahead: Timeline 2 page 4), another quarterly sampling was biological sampling and will begin in mid- for the WPP completed (results reviewed on page 5), and September 2013. If you happen to see the Research Team in the field, feel free to stop the Coordination Committee met (page 2). and hear what we are learning about the SLWA Named 2013 3 The initial writing of the WPP began with a river. Lone Star Land Stew- review of historic water quality, quantity, ards and biological (macroinvertebrate, fish, and A quorum was not present at the June 1st habitat assessment) data in the Upper Llano Coordination Committee meeting following South Llano River 3 Watershed. The report was approved by the the Texas Well Owner Network. The Cleanup Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Committee met again on August 1st, 2013. Renewable Energy 3 Board, and is available for public viewing at: The majority of the Coordination Commit- Demonstration at LRFS www.southllano.org. The Watershed Pro- tee attended the August meeting, and voted to split into topic Working Groups. More tection Plan continues to progress as the Lessons Learned from 4 Working Groups identify and refine the is- information on of Working Groups can be found on the next page. the Texas Well Owner sues of the Upper Llano Watershed. Network For more information on the WPP, visit the South Llano Watershed Alliance at southlla- North Llano River 4 no.org, or contact Tom Arsuffi at the Llano Gauge Almost Discon- River Field Station. Thank you again for your tinued interest and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events! High Water Consump- 4 tion in City of Junction

Common Fish of the 5 Upper Llano

Spring near the North Llano River with healthy Bushy Upcoming Events 6 Bluestem riparian vegetation. Page 2

UPPER LLANO RIVER WA TERSHED PROECTION PLAN NEWSLETTER

UPPER LLANO RIVER WPP WORKING GROUPS

On August 1st, 2013 the third meeting of the Co- 1. Invasive Species ordination Committee of the Upper Llano River  Andrew Murr (Kimble Country Judge) Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) was held to  Carl Teaff (Sutton County Commissioner) discuss how to proceed with the previously identi-  Bob Brockman (Edwards Plateau Soil Water Conservation District) fied issues in the Upper Llano Watershed. The  Fred Gregg (South Llano State Park) discussion centered on the structure of the stake-  Brady Richardson/Daryl Stanley (Landowner) holders: Consensus or working groups. Coordina- tion Committee members present at the meeting unanimously voted to proceed with working 2. Riparian Protection and Management groups. Furthermore, the Committee voted to  Melissa Parker/Gary Garrett (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) break into 5 working groups. Working group top-  Znobia Wootan (South Llano Watershed Alliance) ics include:  Art Mudge (Rancher) 1. Invasive species management 2. Riparian protection and management 3. Water quality, flow, and conservation  Marty Graham (Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board) 3. Water quality, flow, and conservation  Jerry Kirby (Kimble County Groundwater District) 4. Water supply enhancement (brush control)  Marvin Ivy (City of Junction)

5. Upland management 4. Upland Management

 Dandy Kothmann (Natural Resources Conservation District) Working groups and members are listed (right).  Sam Silvers (Kimble County Extension Agent) Working groups will individually meet to discuss  Souli Shanklin (Edwards County Judge) topics, evaluate options, and select a set of recom- mendations to be presented to the Coordination Committee. In about 6-9 months, the Committee 5. Water Supply Enhancement will reconvene to vote on recommendations to be  Marty Graham (Rancher) included into the WPP. Details will be announced for the upcoming Coordination Committee meet-  Tom Vandivier (Rancher) ing. In the meantime, updated information on the  Souli Shanklin (Edwards County Judge) WPP will be posted to: http://southllano.org.  Brady Richardson (Rancher)  Ward Whitworth (Upper Llanos Soil and Water Conservation District)

 Butch Taylor (Prescribed Burn Association)  Bob Lyons (Extension)

LOOKING AHEAD: TIMELINE OF THE WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN At the August 1st meeting of the Coordi- dations to be included in the WPP. used to write and revise the WPP. nation Committee, the Committee voted Tentatively, the Working Group The final version of the WPP will to divide into topic Working Groups to meetings will take between 3 and 9 be presented to the Committee for tackle the previously identified issues in months to complete. in the Fall/Winter of 2014. the Upper Llano watershed. A tentative timeline of the Watershed Protection Within a year, the Coordination The process will be facilitated by Emily Seldomridge, Tom Arsuffi, Plan (WPP) was discussed. Committee will reconvene as a whole to vote on the presented Working and Kevin Wagner. For questions, Within the next 1-2 months the working Group recommendations to be in- please see the contact information groups will meet individually to discuss cluded in the WPP. The approved on page 6. the selected topics. Thereafter, groups recommendations will be compiled will meet as frequently as needed to de- and incorporated into the WPP. The termine a set of management recommen- following few (3-4) months will be Page 3

UPPER LLANO RIVER WA TERSHED PROTECTION PLAN NEWSLETTER

SLWA NAMED 2013 LONE STAR LAND STEWARDS

The South Llano Watershed Alliance and community participation. The SLWA Drummer and Associates, Frost, Gard- (SLWA) was named the winner of the serves as a model of how landowners ner Appraisal Group, Inc., Llano Springs Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and stakeholders can work to achieve Ranch, Ltd., Lower Colorado River Au- (TPWD) 2013 Lone Star Land Steward mutual benefits through voluntary ef- thority, Nature Blinds, Nueces River Award for the Landowner Association Authority, Oncor, San Antonio River category. For the past 18 years, the forts. Authority, Texas A&M Forest Service, TPWD’s Landowners Recognition Program Texas Agricultural Land Trust, Texas and has honored those individuals and organi- For the 2013 Lone Star Award, TPWD Southwestern Cattle Raisers Associa- zations that have demonstrated dedicated partnered with the Sand County Foun- tion, Texas State Soil and Water Con- stewardship of the land through habitat dation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Founda- servation Board, Texas Wildlife Associa- tion and Taking Care of Texas. Present- management and wildlife conservation. tion, and USDA, Natural Resources ing sponsor is Toyota. Additional spon- Conservation Service. sors include Karen and Tim Hixon, The SLWA was given this prestigious Plains Capital Bank, Cammack & Strong, award for their work in encouraging land P.C., Capital Farm Credit, Dorothy To read the full article, visit: http:// and water stewardship through education www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/ releases/?req=20130418a. SOUTH LLANO RIVER CLEANUP On June 29, 2013 the South Llano Wa- trash receptacles are available at the tershed Alliance hosted a South Llano launch/take out sites. In addition, through River trash cleanup. Between 50 and 100 the Nueces River Authority project, the participants helped clean the river from South Llano Watershed Alliance in con- Telegraph to Lake Junction. The cleanup junction with local partners has made was a huge success. The majority of trash trash pickup easy by making Up2U trash removed from the River included soda bags available for river trips. Before your and water bottles and cans, and cigarette next float trip, pick up a bag from Chief butts. Remember, plastic water bottles Ivy of the Junction Police Department. can take hundreds of years to naturally During your float, please take care and break down. pick up a piece of trash.

Participants of the South Llano River The easiest solution to prevent trash For more information on the South Llano Paddling Trail, visit: http:// cleanup show off their Up2U trash bags from entering the river is to secure it that they filled during the June 29th clean- while traveling the river, and properly www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/ up event. dispose of it after leaving the river. If paddlingtrails/inland/southllano/. you're on the South Llano Paddling Trail,

RENEWABLE ENERGY DEMONSTRATION AT LRFS BY: TOM ARSUFFI The Llano River Field Station (LRFS) kWh and the wind turbines is 28,120 received an Innovative Energy Demon- kWh. Savings of $425,000 in electricity stration Grant for $230,000 from the costs are expected over a twenty-five Office of the Texas Comptroller. The year period. The renewable energy energy demonstration grant funds will technology will provide education, pub- be used to install roof mounted solar lic outreach, training, and research op- photovoltaic panels on two buildings portunities for the Hill Country re- and a wind turbine at LRFS. The grant gion. For example, a renewable energy was awarded based on the location and conservation curriculum will be (abundant sun and wind) of LRFS and developed for TTU’s “Outdoor School”. A set of solar panels track the movement of the other criteria: a ready-to-go project; LRFS will also be partnering with the education and outreach value; and size, Engineering; Arts and Sciences; Agricul- sun for optimal energy production. Installation of ture and Natural Resources; Education; solar panels at LRFS were made possible type, and cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) of the technology. The capacity of the and Architecture departments and col- through the Innovative Energy Demonstration solar system will have an estimated leges at the main TTU campus in Lub- Grant from the Office of the Texas Comptroller. annual equivalent production of 59,510 bock. Page 4

UPPER LLANO RIVER WA TERSHED PROTECTION PLAN NEWSLETTER LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE TEXAS WELL OWNER NETWORK Private well owners are responsible for off-site transport of contaminants appears to come from storage tanks monitoring the quality of their wells, (bacteria and nutrients) to surface and untreated river water. operating their water systems, and waters, prevent contamination of ensuring that their drinking water is underlying aquifers, and safeguard the Private well owners are responsible safe. On June 1, the Texas Well Owner health of landowners and their fami- for monitoring the quality of their Network (TWON) workshop was held lies. wells. If you missed the workshop, at TTU-LRFS to inform private well additional water quality analyses are owners about Texas’s groundwater As part of the workshop, TWON available for a fee from the Upper resources, water quality, water treat- tested 43 wells for bacteria, nitrates, Guadalupe River Authority in Kerr- ment, proper location, construction, arsenic, and total dissolved solids. Of ville, TX. and maintenance of water wells. The these wells, 63% were positive for purpose of TWON is to train Texans total coliform and 13% for Escherichia The informational workshop booklet regarding water quality and best man- coli. On average, TWON finds about can be downloaded: http:// agement practices for protecting their 40% of wells contaminated with bac- twon.tamu.edu/. wells and surface waters, by averting teria. Most commonly, contamination

NORTH LLANO RIVER FLOW GAUGE ALMOST DISCONTINUED

The Upper Llano watershed has 3 flow for wastewater treatment plants), gauges maintained by the United States documenting the severity of the Geological Survey (USGS). Gauges are drought, and are often used for recre- located on the South Llano River at ation (kayaking, fishing, etc.). Flatrock, on the North Llano near Junc- tion, and on the Llano River near Junction. Through the efforts of the Upper Llano Watershed Protection Plan, the On June 26, 2013, the USGS discontinued Texas State Soil and Water Conserva- the North Llano River flow gage due to tion Board provided funding to USGS governmental sequestration (funding re- to reinstate the gauge in September ductions). Gauging the flow on the North 2013. Flooding on the North Llano River Llano River is important for predicting , floods, assist in water supply allocation, To view the river flow in the Upper July 22,1938 – peak discharge, aid in designing sound bridges and water Llano, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ 47,000 cubic feet per second. Photo: crossings, forecast water infrastructure nwis. USGS needs (help predict the dilution necessary HIGH WATER CONSUMPTION IN CITY OF JUNCTION

Within the Upper Llano watershed, the 150,000 gallons. A large portion of City of Junction is the only municipality the treated water is likely used for 1) that solely relies on surface water for outdoor irrigation, or 2) lost in the public drinking water supply. The transit from municipal infrastructure City has a water right to withdraw deficiencies. 1,000 acre-feet of water a year from the South Llano River (about 1.4 cubic If you think your home has a leak, feet per second of flow, or 325 million check the water meter when you gallons). know the water is off. Check the meter again after about 2 hours. If The City of Junction produces about the meter reading continues to in- 800,000 gallons of treated drinking wa- crease, there is likely a leaking pipe.

To conserve water, adjust sprinklers to ter per day. However, the City wastewater treatment plant receives a The Water Quality, Flow, and Con- water only the lawn, and follow drought fraction of the water produced, about servation Working Group will be restrictions when applicable. addressing this topic. Page 5

UPPER LLANO RIVER WA TERSHED PROTECTION PLAN NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

COMMON FISH OF THE UPPER LLANO WATERSHED BY: PRESTON BEAN

Monitoring efforts of the Watershed Protection Plan are well The Greenthroat Darter is a small species of fish found in underway, which include water quality, flow, and biological the Texas Hill Country. It is typically found in shallow riffle sampling. Questions are often asked about the diversity of fish habitats with aquatic vegetation in rivers that have a large species in the North and South Llano rivers. This quick guide portion of the stream flow coming from springs. Male will identify a few common species. Similar fish species are Greenthroat darters are brightly colored during their repro- found in both rivers and are described below. ductive season and have a distinct bluish green patch along their throat. The darter species is highly sensitive to chang- es in water quality and its presence is a good indicator of a The Guadalupe Bass is the official state fish, and a popular healthy ecosystem. sport fish. It is a species of black bass that is found only in Tex- as, primarily in Hill Country rivers from the Brazos drainage to the Nueces drainage. The Guadalupe Bass can be identified by the combination of the dark vertical bars along its body and the presence of a tooth patch on its tongue. It is typically found in habitats with moderate water flow and primarily consumes aquatic insects, crayfish, and small fish.

The Warmouth is one of the larger, predatory sunfish species found in the Llano River. It is one of the less com- monly encountered species and generally occurs in heavily vegetated areas, such as backwaters with water willow. Unlike most other sunfish species, their diet consists largely of crayfish and small fish, rather than aquatic insects.

The Rio Grande Cichlid, commonly called the Texas Cichlid, is the only cichlid species native to the United States, and with- in the U.S. is native only to Texas. It is a common aquarium fish. In adults, the back half of the body is typically very dark while the forward half of the body is lighter in color. The Rio Grande Cichlid does well in warmer waters and is also tolerant of pollution and habitat changes. When flows are very low and rivers are reduced to a series of warm pools, it is common to The Central Stoneroller gets its name from the behavior find large schools of Rio Grande Cichlids as one of the few of the males moving gravel with their nose to construct remaining species. nests for spawning. The adult male Central Stonerollers also develop tubercles, mainly on their head and also along their body. They are primarily herbivores and use a ridge of carti- lage on their lower jaw to scrape algae from rocks.

Contact us!

Tom Arsuffi Kevin Wagner Emily Seldomridge Llano River Field Station Texas Water Resources Institute Llano River Field Station Texas Tech University-Junction Texas A&M University-College Station Texas Tech University-Junction 325-446-2301 979-845-2649 325-446-2301 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Jana Lloyd Znobia Wootan Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board South Llano Watershed Alliance 254-773-2250 x 224 [email protected] [email protected]

Recent and Upcoming Events

 Texas Freshwater Mussel Identification and Sampling Workshop August 20-23, 2013 @ Texas Tech Llano River Field Station Sponsors: Texas A&M and Texas Comptroller’s Interagency Taskforce on Economic Growth and Endangered Species http://nrt.tamu.edu/schedule/aug-20-23-2013-mussel-workshop/

 Riparian Workshop: October 16, 2013, 8AM-4PM @ Texas Tech Llano River Field Station Hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. CEUs available. For more information, contact Nikki Dictson at 979-458-5915. RSVP: http://naturalresourcestraining.tamu.edu/schedule/oct-16-2013-texas-riparian/

 Joint meeting of the Texas Riparian Association and Texas Society for Ecological Restoration: November 1-2, 2013 @ Texas Tech Llano River Field Station