Upper Llano River Watershed Protection Plan Developed by the Upper Llano Watershed Coordination Committee May 2016 Upper Llano River Watershed Protection Plan Developed by the Upper Llano Watershed Coordination Committee May 2016 Prepared for the Upper Llano River Watershed Coordination Committee by: Tyson Broad1, Emily Seldomridge1, Tom Arsuffi1, Kevin Wagner2 1Llano River Field Station, Texas Tech University, Junction, Texas 2Texas Water Resources Institute, College Station, Texas Funding for the development of this Watershed Protection Plan was provided through a federal Clean Water Act §319(h) grant to the Texas Water Resources Institute, administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Acknowledgments This document is a result of collaborative efforts between many stakeholders and partners. Each participant played an essential role in the Upper Llano River Watershed Protection planning process. First, we wish to express thanks to members of the Coordination Committee for its gracious investments of time and energy in participating throughout the process. Without its direction and support, progress would have been impos- sible. Through the Upper Llano River Watershed Protection Plan, the committee’s efforts serve as an example to all watershed stakeholders of the importance of active stewardship. In addition, we are grateful for cooperation and participation from representatives of key local groups who will play a vital role in protecting the health of the Upper Llano River watershed: • The City of Junction and City of Rocksprings • County Judges of Edwards, Kimble and Sutton counties • Edwards Plateau, Upper Nueces-Frio and Upper Llanos Soil and Water Conservation Districts • Real-Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District, Kimble County Groundwater Conservation District and Sutton County Underground Water Conservation District • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department • Llano River Watershed Alliance (formerly South Llano Watershed Alliance) • South Llano River State Park • Edwards Plateau and Upper Llanos Prescribed Burn Associations • USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service • Texas Wildlife Association • Landowners of the Upper Llano River watershed We express gratitude to the Texas Water Resources Institute and Texas Tech University Water Resources Center for their tremendous help in guiding the watershed protection planning process. Also, we are grateful for technical support and training from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Water Division of the Lower Colorado Water Authority. Lastly, we thank the Research Team for its hard work in the field and in the lab. We are especially grateful to the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency for their vision of a strong and influential stakeholder-led watershed planning process in the Upper Llano River watershed. These agencies provided funding and technical guidance that allowed us to establish a strong foundation for watershed stewardship in the Upper Llano River watershed. Photo Credits • Llano River Field Station - Texas Tech University • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department • Llano River Watershed Alliance Upper Llano River WPP 1 Table of Contents Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................1 List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................7 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................9 Upper Llano River Watershed Overview .................................................................................................9 Problem/Action Taken .............................................................................................................................9 Addressing Issues of Concern ................................................................................................................10 Recommended Actions .........................................................................................................................10 Septic Systems (OSSF) .......................................................................................................................10 Feral Hogs ........................................................................................................................................10 White-Tailed Deer and Exotics (Non-native) ......................................................................................10 Grazing Management and Complementary Practices ...........................................................................10 Brush Control for Range Improvement and Water Supply Enhancement ...............................................10 Streambank and Riparian Buffer Restoration ......................................................................................11 Water Conservation ..........................................................................................................................11 Urban Stormwater Management .......................................................................................................11 Education and Outreach .......................................................................................................................12 Measures of Success and Adaptive Implementation ...............................................................................12 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................15 1.1 Watersheds and Water Quality and Quantity ..................................................................................15 1.2 The Watershed Approach.................................................................................................................15 1.3 Watershed Protection Plan .............................................................................................................15 1.4 Watershed Protection Plan for the Upper Llano Watershed .............................................................15 2. Upper Llano River Watershed Protection Planning Efforts ..................................................19 2.1 Stakeholder Involvement .................................................................................................................19 2.2 Stakeholder Structure: Coordination Committee and Working Groups ...........................................19 2.2.1 Coordination Committee ..........................................................................................................19 2.2.2 Working Groups .......................................................................................................................19 3. Characterization of Upper Llano River Watershed ...............................................................23 3.1 Soils ................................................................................................................................................24 3.2 Demographics .................................................................................................................................25 3.2.1 Population Projections ..............................................................................................................26 3.2.2 Issues related to Demographics...................................................................................................26 3.3 Water Quality .................................................................................................................................27 3.3.1 Surface Water Quality ..............................................................................................................27 3.3.2 Groundwater Quality ..............................................................................................................33 3.3.3 Summary of issues related to water quality .................................................................................34 3.4 Water Supply and Use .....................................................................................................................34 3.4.1 Surface Water .........................................................................................................................35 3.4.2 Groundwater ...........................................................................................................................36 3.4.3 Issues related to Water Supply and Use .......................................................................................36 3.5 Biological Assessments .....................................................................................................................38 3.5.1 Habitat Assessment ..................................................................................................................39 3.5.2 Macroinvertebrates ..................................................................................................................39 3.5.3 Fish ........................................................................................................................................40 3.6 Land Use / Land Management ........................................................................................................40 3.6.1 Upland Management ..............................................................................................................41