Issuu

2022

Ba s i n Hi g h l i g h t s Re p o rt

C lea n Riv e rs P ro g ram

12618 12549 16244 12617 Gillespie 16243

12616 12541 Jo

12678

Hunt

N Fo rk G uada lupe Rive r 1817

C n

D C

18 s C r 06 e e B k

Cam p M eeting Cr eek

1806A

Gu rk

Kerrville

06 u 18 Q l in

15111

KERR v Ri p e 18 a l u 18

r 18 e e k 06 E

Ingram

12684

12682

To w

1806C

Goat C reek

n 18 C r e 16 ek

12615

12546

Turt le Creek

15113

1806F

12608

e e rd

C re

6 180

Comfort Center Point

12602

12605

u sh

0 18

BANDERA

Upper Guadalupe River Water Quality Monitoring, by Agency

Uvalde

Guadalupe River Basin

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

Waste

GBRA

Conce

TCEQ

Stream

UGRA

Row C

WVWA

Upper

Meadows Center

GBRA

12674

12673

12661

BLANCO 12663

18 13 H

ee k oo d C r C ot to nw 18 13 F C re ek Mc Ki nn ey 18 13 C k Bi g Cr ee 1813D

18 13 18 1 3I A

e re C l l s 13 E F a 18

12669

18 r e e k 13 G

1 18

HAYS

Blanco

12668

Cy p

re ss 181 C r e e k 5

KENDALL

ple

k ee

12677

22109 22110 12665

12676 Wimberley

12660

Up pe r Bla nc o Ri ve r 1813

22082

12635 12601 17404

Guadalupe

1806

River

12600

12598

Canyon Lake

15399

12597

L B l a o we r nc o R 180 i v e r 9

12675

San Marcos

12631

13700

COMAL GUADALUPE

Wastewater Discharges

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

Stream Impairment (2020 Draft IR)

Row Crops

Upper Guadalupe River Basin

GBRA Statutory District 0

12 Miles

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

99937 99937 99936 99936 20482 20482 20480 20480 12538 12538 20479 20479

Kyle Kyle

20489 20489 20481 20481 12559 12559 20488 20488 20484 20484 17406 17406 12558 12558 12649 12649 18343 18343 20490 20490

San Marcos San Marcos

Canyon Canyon Lake Lake

12672 12672 Al

12645

20748 20748 18 12

1810

20493 20493 14945 14945

Plu m Cre ek

12658 12658 18 COMAL COMAL 1

12648 12648

12647 12647

12628 12628

Al l ig a o 18 r 18 t o r 04 C r 04 C r C ee C ee k k

l ig

Lockhart Lockhart

12557 12557

12556 12556 12643 1

20749 20749

New New 15082 15082 12656 12656 Braunfels Braunfels 12653 12653 12570 12570

D ry C D ry C omal omal Creek Creek 1 1

20743 20743 GB713GB713 14932 14932

12596 12596

20742 20742

811A 811A

21262 21262

Sa n 12642 12 Ma Ma rc rc 18 o s18R o s R LulingLuling 08 0i 8v er iver 12555 12555 12626 12626 12640 12

12576 12576 GB714GB714 12575 12575 22189 22189

21260 21260 21261 21261

Seguin Seguin

20744 20744 20745 20745 20747 20747

Gua Gua dalu dalu pe pe Ri Ri 1804 1v8e0r4 v e r

17134 17134

GUADALUPE GUADALUPE

21736 21736

S a n d ieS a n d ie s C re s C re ek ek

1803B1803B

Sa lt

3E 3E 180 180

NixonNixon

ek ek C re m C re A E l m 0E3lA 8 803

Guadalupe Guadalupe River River Basin Basin

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

0 2.5 2.5 5

10 Miles 10 Miles

1789

Middle MiddleGuadalupe GuadalupeRiver River

2648

7 12647

P ac h eac h

180 C1r e8e0k C r e e k 3C 3C

6 2643 12643

CALDWELL CALDWELL

F 18 03 o r k G

1810

Plu m Cre ek

Fo 18 rk S a 03 G

12645 12645

642 12642

55 2640 12640 17934 17934

GONZALES GONZALES De

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nto

16578 16578

Gonzales Gonzales

14937 14937

Water Water Quality Quality Monitoring Monitoring (GBRA) (GBRA) Water Water Quality Quality Monitoring Monitoring (TCEQ) (TCEQ) Wastewater Wastewater Discharges Discharges Concentrated Concentrated Animal Animal Feeding Feeding Operation Operation

15110 15110

Stream Stream Impairment Impairment (2020 (2020 Draft Draft IR) IR) Row Row Crops Crops Middle Middle Guadalupe Guadalupe River River Basin Basin Sa lty Cr Saee ltyk Cr ee k

1803D1803D

20470 20470 Fi

il e

15998 15998

GBRA GBRA Statutory Statutory District District

17894 17894 13657 13657 Sa

18 1 03 803 nd

Sa n i es di es

18 C1r e8 C r e 03 0 B e k3B e k

12592 12592

DE WITT DE WITT

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

DE WITT DE WITT

1803

12590 125 G

rdi

G u da lu

0 18

rdi do Cr Cr ee ee k k

20827 20827 Co l 1807A 1807A

GOLIAD GOLIAD

Guadalupe Guadalupe River River Basin Basin

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

8 Miles 8 Miles

REFU R

Lower LowerGuadalupe GuadalupeRiver River Water Water Quality Quality Monitoring Monitoring (GBRA) (GBRA) Water Water Quality Quality Monitoring Monitoring (TCEQ) (TCEQ) Wastewater Wastewater Discharges Discharges Stream Stream Impairment Impairment (2020 (2020 Draft Draft IR) IR)

Lower Lower Guadalupe Guadalupe River River Basin Basin GBRA GBRA Statutory Statutory District District Row Row Crops Crops

590 12590 ad

G al

ua up

827 C o le

da e

lu pe Ri R ve ive r r

VICTORIA VICTORIA

Victoria Victoria

C to Cor le to C r e ek e ek

REFUGIO REFUGIO

CALHOUN CALHOUN

12536 12536 12578 12578 12577 12577

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Table of Contents

Upper Guadalupe River Programs and Services Update

9 10 11 12

E. Coli Bacteria and Optical Brighteners Assessment on Lower Cypress Creek

Bacterial Source Tracking Analysis in Geronimo Creek

Updates from the Comal/Dry Comal Watershed Protection Plan

Wimberley Valley Watershed Association Secures 74 Acres of Land for Recharge Protection

Highlights from the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership

Invasive Species Removal and Other Watershed Protection Activities in the Upper San Marcos River

Subwatershed Descriptions

2022 Basin Highlights Report Introduction New Faces in the Basin Guadalupe River Habitat Conservation Plan

C over Pho t o: Biolog ist Ca r r y in g Se in e T h ro u gh Cy pre s s Cre e k i n Hays C ou n t y

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

2022 Basin Highlights Report Introduction By E lizabeth Edgerton Thi s re p o r t h i g h lig hts acti vi ti e s in the Guadalupe R i ve r B a s i n a nd th e L avaca- Gu ad a lupe C o as tal Basin in t he C l ea n R i vers P rog ram (CRP) i n 2021. The C RP is a s t at ew i d e p ro g ram man aged by the Texas C ommissio n o n E nv i ro nm ental Q u ali t y ( TCEQ), estab lished in 19 9 1 t o ho l i s ti ca l ly man age wate r qu ali t y issues thro ug ho ut t he s tate of Texas. Th e p rog ram is funded by fees as s e ss ed to wate r r ig hts an d wast ewater discharge pe r m i t h o l d er s . Th e objective s of the pro gram are to provi d e qu a l i t y assu red d ata to the TC EQ for use in dec i s i o n m a k i ng , i d e nti f y an d evaluate water q uali t y i s s ue s , p ro mo te coop e rative waters hed planning, reco m m end m an age me nt strate g ies , inform and engage s t a ke h o l d er s , an d maintai n e f f ic ient use of funds. The G u a d a l u p e-Blan co Rive r Au tho ri t y (GBR A), along wi t h th e U p p er Gu ad alu p e Rive r Authori t y (UGR A), car r y o u t th e wate r qu ali t y man agement ef for ts in t he s e b a s i ns un d e r contract w i th the TC EQ. The Wi m b erl ey Va l ley Wate rsh ed Associatio n (W V WA) and t he Mea d ows Ce nte r for Wate r and the Environment ( MC W E ) co ntr i bu te mon i torin g d ata collected f rom the Bla n co R i ve r a n d Cyp re ss Cree k watersheds under the Guad a l u p e B a sin CRP qu ali t y assurance project plan. The m a j o r i t y of fu n d i n g allocated to this program is us ed by th e p ar tn e rs to carr y ou t moni to ring ef for ts an d p e r fo r m qu ali t y assu ran ce and data management. Thi s re p o r t i nc lu d e s wate r sh ed characterizations of t wo wate r s hed s in th e basin that have Waters hed P ro t ecti o n Pl an s i n p lace to ad d res s water q uali t y co n ce r ns : Pl u m Cree k Wate rsh ed (1810 and 1810A) and Ge ro ni m o & A l lig ator Cree k s Wat ers hed (1804A, 1804C , an d 1 8 0 4 D) . Wate rsh ed c h aracte r izations include s e gm e nt d es c r ip ti on s, lan d u se s, potential s takeholder i s s ue s , d es c r i pti on s of wate r qu ali t y co ncerns and i mpa i r me nts , maj or eve nts, on going projects, and maps. T h i s rep or t also in c lu d e s ar ticles fro m b asin pa r t ne r s a nd stake h old e r s th at h ig hlig ht ongo ing pro j ects a nd a ctivi tie s th rou g h out the Guadalupe River B as i n. CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

New Faces in the Basin Kristyn Armitage

GBR A Wat er Q u al ity Tech ni ci an 2021 was a year of growt h at GBR A and thro ug ho ut t he b asi n. K r i st yn Ar mi t age joi ned GBR A as o ur Wat er Qual i t y Techni ci an i n Sept emb er of 2 021. K r i st yn recei ved her BS i n Bi ol og y and MS in Aquat i c Resources from Texas St at e Unive rs i t y. He r mast er ’s work focused on i nt ra- and i nte r-s pecie s var i ab i l i t y i n mercur y concent rat i ons i n Texas mar i ne f i sh and shel l f i sh. Her previ ous expe rie nce i ncl udes i nvasi ve speci es removal and native hab i t at rest orat i on work under t he Edward s A quife r Hab i t at Conser vat i on Pl an, at t he Mead ows Ce nte r for Wat er and t he Envi ronment . As Wat er Quali t y Techni ci an, K r i st yn car r i es out al l wat er quali t y moni t or i ng ef for t s i n t he b asi n under t he Clean R i ver s Program, Pl um Creek Wat er shed Pro tectio n Pl an, and t he Geroni mo and Al l i gat or Cree k s Wat er shed Prot ect i on Pl an. Wel come t o Team G BR A , K r i st yn!

Christina Lopez, Ph.D.

Plu m Cre e k Waters h ed C o ord i nat o r Ch r ist ina L o pe z , PhD, b e ga n se r ving a s t h e Pl u m Cree k Wat e r sh ed Co o rd inat o r in June 2 021 . C hr i s t i n a is a n e nviro nm e nt a l geo gra ph e r a nd ea r n ed h e r M . S . a nd Ph .D. in G eo gra phy at Tex a s St at e U n i ve r s i t y. He r d isse r t at io n fo c used o n e nviro nm e nt a l vo l u nt ee r i s m a nd nat ura l re so urce co nse r vat io n. Sh e has h e l d seve ra l po si t io ns at Tex a s St at e U nive r si t y i n c l u d i n g Inst r uct o r of E nviro nm e nt a l G eo gra phy a n d C h ai r of t h e E nviro nm e nt a l Se r vice Co m m i t t ee . C h r i s t i n a has a lso wo rked fo r e nviro nm e nt a l o rga niz at i o n s , s u c h as t h e Mea d ow s Ce nt e r fo r Wat e r a nd t h e E nv i ro n m e nt a nd t h e Co lo ra d o Rive r Allia nce , a nd se r ved as a Re sea rc h Fe llow fo r t h e Nat io na l Wild life Fed e rat i o n a nd Sa n Ma rco s G ree nb e lt Allia nce . In h er f ree t i m e , sh e e njoy s h ik ing lo ca l gree n spa ce s, sw im m i n g i n t h e Sa n Ma rco s Rive r, a nd t rave ling t o Bi g B e n d Nat io na l Pa rk . Ch r ist ina is re spo nsi b le fo r p ro m o t i n g a nd co o rd inat ing a ct ivi t ie s w i t h in t h e wat e r s hed , w h ic h a im t o im prove t h e h ea lt h of t h e Pl u m C ree k Wat e r sh ed . 10

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

Guadalupe River Habitat Conservation Plan T h e G uadalu p e R ive r is home to 1 8 fed e ra lly list ed e nd a nge red spec ie s, e ig ht fed e ral ly l i st ed threatened s pecie s , nume rous ca nd id at e spec ie s a nd seve ra l spec ie s w i t h p o t e nt i al t o b ecome li sted in the f uture . In July 2 02 1, G BR A b e ga n t h e pro ce ss of c reat in g a co m prehensi ve b a s in-wide cons e r vat io n st rat e g y t o b e ne f i t b o t h list ed a nd no n - l i s t ed sp ec ies. G BR A wil l deve l op a hol is tic G ua d a lupe Rive r Ha b i t at Co nse r vat io n Pl an (G R HC P) an d a ssoci ated incide nta l ta ke pe rmi t (I TP) t h at w ill provid e pro t ect io ns fo r threat e n ed an d e ndangered s pecie s , whil e improving ce r t a int y t o m eet fut ure h um a n need s fo r wat er and wastewate r treatme nt s e r vice s.

W hat is a Hab itat C o n s er vati o n Plan? A n HC P i s the prima r y pl a nning docu m e nt required t o obt ai n an i n ci denta l ta ke pe rmi t ( IT P) und e r Sect io n 1 0(a) (2 )(A ) of the fede ra l Enda nge red Spec ie s Act of 1 97 3 ( ES A ). Thi s s ection of the ESA is int e nd ed t o fo st e r "creati ve p ar tne rs hips b et wee n the pub lic a nd pr ivat e sect ors an d among gove rnme nta l a genc ie s in t h e i nt e rest of sp ecie s a nd ha b i tat cons er vat io n." A no nfederal enti t y ca n ob ta in a n IT P if i t s a ct ivi t ie s cause " t a ke" of an enda nge red or threate ned w ild life spec ie s. A n HC P descri be s how "ta ke" wil l b e m inim ized a nd mi t i gated, an d h ow the HCP is to b e fund ed .

"Take" me ans . . . "to hunt, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect a species or at tempt to engage in any such conduct."

GR HCP Pro ce ss A s a re g io na l lea d e r, G BR A w ill a pply fo r a 50 -year l o ng inc id e nt a l t a ke pe r m i t (I TP) t h at w ill a l l ow o t h e r ut ili t ie s, la nd ow ne r s, ind ust r ie s, a nd m unic i p al i t i e s to co nt r i b ut e t o co nse r vat io n e f fo r t s a nd rece i ve s eco nd pa r t y t a ke pro t ect io n. Th e b a sin-w i d e G R HC P a n d I TP is a nt ic ipat ed t o fo c us o n co nse r vat i o n of s pec ie s suc h a s t h e w h o o ping c ra ne , sa la m an d e r s ( Eur ycea sp.) a nd fre shwat e r m usse ls, b ut w i l l be n e f i t ot h e r ra re a nd co m m o n spec ie s. Th e b e st avai l abl e s c ie nce w ill b e used t o m a ke po licy d ec isio n s t h at will fo r m t h e fo und at io ns of t h is pro ce ss. T he l o n g te r m pla nning e f fo r t w ill b e ne f i t t h e re g io n by im proving t h e pred ict a b ili t y a nd e f fect ive n e s s of s pec ie s co nse r vat io n m ea sure s, w h ile red u c i n g f u t u re m i t igat io n co st s a nd re gulat o r y unce r t a int y. T he I T P is e st im at ed t o b e issued in June 2 02 6 .

Re b e cca Sp ri ngs Salam a n d e r

G u a d a lu p e Or b

Opp o r t u n it i es to Par ti ci p ate G BR A i s commi t ted to a tra ns pa re nt, pub lic pro ce ss w h e re pa r t ic ipat io n is we l co m ed an d en co uraged. For more information, v isi t t h e Ha b i t at Co nse r vat io n Pla n pa ge at g b ra.org . Comme nts a nd que s tions ca n b e sub m i t t ed at fut ure pub lic m eet ings o r by emai li ng grhcp @ g b ra . org. CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

S o uth Fork Guadalup e Riv e r a t Ca m p Ar rowhe a d Cro s s i n g

Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) Programs and Services Water Q u a lit y Mo nit o r in g A s the lead wate r re s ource pl a nnin g a ge ncy fo r t h e U ppe r G ua d a lupe Rive r B as i n , UG R A p ar tn ers wi th municipa l a nd co unt y gove r nm e nt s, co m m uni t ie s, c ivic g ro u p s , an d ci ti zen s to pre s e r ve a nd protect t h e wat e r qua li t y in a ll Ke r r Co unt y sur f ace waterbodi es. UGR A is a n a ct ive Tex a s Clea n Rive r s P ro gra m p ar t n e r a nd pe r fo r m s ro ut ine sa m pling at t we lve si t e s q u ar t e rly a nd seve n si t e s m o nt h ly. In a d d i t io n, UG R A co nt i n u e s the C o unt y Wid e G o a l B a sed Mo ni t o r ing P ro gram t h at conce nt rat e s o n t h e m a in t r i b ut a r ie s t o t h e Gu ad al u p e R ive r a nd m o ni t o r s t h e sa m e pa ra m et e r s a s t h e C l ean R ive r s P ro gra m . Ro ut ine m o ni t o r ing provid e s co n s i s t e nt tra ck ing so t h at c h a nge s in wat e r qua li t y ca n be i d e nt i f i ed a nd a d d re ssed quic k ly. Ad d i t io na lly, UG R A st a f f inve st igat e s wat e r qua li t y co nce r ns ra ng ing fro m s t ran ge s ig ht s a nd o d o r s t o h a z a rd o us wa st e spills a nd p ar t n e r s wi th t h e a ppro pr iat e a ge nc ie s t o re so lve t h e m . UGR A’s Sum m e r Sw im a b ili t y P ro gra m provid e s i n fo r m at i o n on cur re nt wat e r qua li t y co nd i t io ns fo r lo ca l c i t i ze n s . Sa mple s fo r E. c o l i b a ct e r ia a na ly sis a re t a ke n at 21 s i t e s on a wee k ly b a sis fro m Me m o r ia l Day t o L a b o r Day. T h e re s ult s a re co m pa red t o st at e st a nd a rd s fo r co nt act recreat io n a nd a re po st ed o n t h e UG R A we b si t e . UGRA Staff Water Q u a lit y Sa m p lin g

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

UG R A provi des oppor tuni tie s for ci t ize n st ewa rd sh ip a nd co m m uni t y invo lve m e nt i n p rot ecti ng the wate r re s ource s of Ke r r Co unt y. A po pula r a ct ivi t y is t h e UG R A Vo l u nt ee r Su mmer Stu dy. This progra m is s upp o r t ed by int e re st ed m e m b e r s of t h e co m m u n i t y wh o co l l ect samples for E. coli b a cte ria ana ly sis ea c h sum m e r. Th e info r m at io n co l l ect ed by t he volu ntee rs provide s impor ta nt d at a a nd h e lps id e nt if y a rea s in need of f u r t he r i nvesti gati on whil e incl uding the com m uni t y in wat e r qua li t y m o ni t o r ing. C ent ral to these dive rs e wate r moni t o r ing pro gra m s is t h e nat io na lly a cc red i t ed UG R A E nv i ronmental L a b orator y, a f ul l -s e r vice la b o rat o r y se r ving t h e e nt ire Hill Co u nt r y. T h e L aborator y’s a na ly tica l s e r vice s inc lud e b a ct e r io lo g ica l, c h e m ica l, a nd b io l o g i cal t est i ng of dri nking wate r, wa s tewater, a nd sur fa ce wat e r. Th e la b o rat o r y is a cc red i t ed accordi ng to the Nationa l Environme nt a l L a b o rat o r y Acc red i t at io n P ro gra m a n d i s o n e of t h e l argest mi crob iol og ica l l a b orator ie s in t h e re g io n.

Water Stewa rds h i p UG R A i s commi t ted to the e l iminatio n of t ra sh fro m t h e r ive r a nd a ct ive ly so li c i t s an d p romotes comm uni t y involve me nt in t h e m ult ipa r t Tra sh -Free Ini t iat ive . Since 20 0 4 , UG R A has routi ne ly picked up tra s h fro m 15 low wat e r c ro ssings t h ro ug h o ut Ke r r C o u nt y w h i c h results i n the re mova l of te ns of t h o usa nd s of po und s of li t t e r ea c h year. T he A n n ual Ri ver Cl ea n Up is a count y-wid e eve nt t o pro m o t e awa re ne ss of t h e im p o r t an ce of t h e G u adalupe R ive r to the communi t y a nd e nco ura ge st ewa rd sh ip. In 2 02 1 , m o re t h a n 7,800 pounds of ga rb a ge wa s co llect ed by 4 89 pa r t ic ipa nt s, wo rk ing a lo n g t he r i ve r from above Hunt, a l l the way to Ce nt e r Po int . In a d d i t io n, m e sh wat e r way c l ean u p bag s conti nue t o b e provided at a dispe nse r at Ingra m Da m t o suppo r t c lea nup e f fo r t s t h ro ug hout the yea r. As a proa ctive m ea sure t o red uce li t t e r ing, UG R A co nt in u e s t o fu n d summer ti me l i t te r patrol s wi th lice nsed pea ce of f ice r s at t h e m o st po pul ar r i ve r crossi ngs to p ro mote the me s s a ge , “Pa c k i t in, Pa c k i t o ut .”

R iv e r Cle a n Up Pa r ti ci p an t s from In g ra m ISD ' s Na t ion a l Ju n i o r Ho n o r S o c i e ty

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

UGRA La rge Ra i nwa t e r Sy st e m In c e n t iv e Prog ra m Re c i pi e n t

UG R A p romot e s l a ndowne r pra ctice s t h at h ave t h e po t e nt ia l t o e nh a nce grou n dwat e r an d su r face water re s ource s . Nume rou s st ud ie s h ave ind icat ed t h at b r ush co nt ro l , p r i m ar i ly ashe J u ni per re mova l , ca n he l p inc rea se E dwa rd s Plat eau Aquife r rec h a rge , en han ce sp r i ng f low, a nd improve ra nge a nd pa st ure la nd pro d uct ivi t y. UG R A of fe r s f i n an c i al assi stance to e l ig i b l e l a ndowne rs t o a id t h e ir b r ush m a na ge m e nt e f fo r t s. Ad d i t i o n al ly, UG R A has worked wi th l a ndowne rs t o co nst r uct nine wat e r a nd sed im e nt co nt ro l bas i n s i n western Ke rr Count y. T he s truct ure s t e m po ra r ily ret a in h ig h f low s a nd sed i m e nt associ ated w i th heavy ra inf a l l whil e provid ing e ro sio n co nt ro l, wat e r qua li t y p ro t ect i o n , an d bolsteri n g s pring f l ow. To promote wate r cons e r vation a nd red uce st o r mwat e r r unof f, UG R A e nco urage s t h e practi ce of ra inwate r ha r ve s tin g by of fe r ing a re b at e up t o $2 00 o n t h e p u rc has e of rai nwater ha r ve s ting equipme nt . UG R A a lso suppo r t s t h e co nst r uct io n of h i g h e r ca p aci t y rai nwate r catchme nt s ys t e m s t h ro ug h t h e L a rge Ra inwat e r Sy st e m In ce nt i ve P ro g ram. O n e project is s e l ected annua lly t o rece ive up t o $5 ,000 t owa rd s t h e co nstructi on of a new ra inwate r cat c h m e nt sy st e m o r t o ex pa nd ca pa c i t y of an exi s t i n g sy stem. Ri p ari an areas a re the de ns e b a nd of nat ive ve get at io n a lo ng a b o dy of wat e r. W h e n fu l l of n ati ve t ree s , gra s s e s , a nd fo r b s, t h ey im prove wat e r qua li t y a nd qua nt i t y by i nt e rcep ti ng runof f f rom upl a nd a rea s a nd st a b iliz ing t h e b a nk . UG R A jo ined Texas Parks an d Wi ldli fe De pa r tme nt in the Hea lt hy Cree k s Ini t iat ive t o a ssist la nd ow ne r s wi t h t h e t reatment of inva s ive g ia nt ca ne (Ar un do do n ax) o n t h e ir pro pe r t ie s. Th e ca n e i nvad e s r i p ari an areas a nd dis pl a ce s native r ipa r ia n ve get at io n w h ic h red uce s t h e h eal t h of st reamsi de area s a nd the ir a b il i t y t o im prove wat e r qua li t y a nd qua nt i t y. Ad d i t i o n al ly, UG R A has p ar tne red wi th Ke rr Cou nt y t o of fe r a b o unt y pay m e nt o n fe ra l h o g s . T he h o gs seek ou t a rea s a l ong wate r way s a nd cause d a m a ge t o st rea m sid e ve get at i o n wh i c h i n creases eros ion a nd b a cte ria pollut io n fro m r unof f.

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P ubli c Ed u cat i o n Pa r t of UG R A’s m is s ion is to a ctive ly fa c ili t at e t h e und e r st a nd ing of wat e r issu e s an d en g a ge the com muni t y in ma inta ining a nd pro m o t ing t h e h ea lt h a nd e njoy m e nt of t he U p p er G u adalupe R ive r Ba s in. UGR A h a s a n a ct ive ed ucat io n pro gra m d e signed t o g i ve Ke r r C ou nt y res ide nts a b et te r unde r st a nd ing of t h e U ppe r G ua d a lupe Rive r a n d i t s wat ershed. UG R A s ta f f pre pa re s pre se nt at io ns fo r a rea sc h o o ls, c lub s, o rga ni z at i o n s , an d s u mmer cam ps to tea ch a b out wat e r qua li t y, po llut io n t h reat s, co nse r vat i o n , t h e wat er cycle, an d the impor ta nce of t h e G ua d a lupe Rive r t o t h e co m m uni t y. UG R A’s p u bl i c awaren es s ca mpa ign kee ps th e co m m uni t y info r m ed of wat e r issue s t h ro u g h n ew sp aper feature s a nd ra dio a nnou nce m e nt s. T h e UG R A E duSca pe continue s to b e a n ed ucat io na l a sset a s a d e m o nst rat io n l an d s cap e . T h ro ug h a par tne rs hip wi th R ive rs id e Nat ure Ce nt e r, vir t ua l a nd in pe r so n t o u r s of t h e E d u Scap e are conducted a nd ma ny v isi t o r s a lso st o p by fo r a se lf-guid ed t o ur. T h e l an dscap e prese nts 1 5 wate r-s aving feat ure s in a d d i t io n t o 30 int e r pret ive a nd wat e r co n s e r vati on ti p s igns . A qua r te r mi le wa lk ing t ra il le isure ly m ea nd e r s t h ro ug h s eve ral di f fe rent p lant zone s de mons trating t ec h nique s like ra inwat e r h a r ve st ing, ra in g ard e n s , p er v ious walk ways a nd the us e of nat ive pla nt s. Th e feat ure s h ig h lig ht pra ct ical way s t o i m prove water cons e r vation a nd s t o r mwat e r d et e nt io n in yo ur h o m e o r b us i n e s s l an dscap e. In 20 19, the Texa s Wate r D eve lo pm e nt B o a rd awa rd ed UG R A t h e Texas Rai n C atcher Awa rd for the UGR A Ed uSca pe in reco gni t io n of exe m pla r y e f fo r t s t o p romote rai nwate r ha r ve s ting a nd wat e r co nse r vat io n t h ro ug h ed ucat io na l a n d o u t reac h act i v i ti es. P ro g rams focu sing on ripa ria n a rea s h ave b ee n a no t h e r pr io r i t y in UG R A’s ed u cat i o n p rog ram. UG R A s pons ors works hops fo r st rea m sid e la nd ow ne r s t o sh a re t ec h n i q u e s an d informati on to increa s e s tewa rd sh ip of t h e se vi t a l st rea m sid e h a b i t at s. St ream s i d e l an down ers i n Ke rr Count y ca n cont a ct UG R A fo r a free co py of “ Th e Re m a rk a bl e Ri p ari an Fi eld Guide” to he l p inform m a na ge m e nt of t h e se c r uc ia l h a b i t at s. A b ove all, UG R A is a re s ource a nd a dvo cat e fo r t h e co m m uni t y o n wat e r qua li t y, s u r f ace wat er, and the Gua da l upe R ive r. Pl ea se co nt a ct UG R A w i t h co m m e nt s, que st io n s o r co n cern s at (830) 896- 54 4 5 or vis i t ugra .o rg. T h e Ed u S c a pe a t UGRA Head quar t ers

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Lower Cypress Creek Pilot Project:

Concurrent Assessment of E.coli Bacteria and Sandra Arismendez, Senior Watershed Scientist Optical Brighteners By and Research Coordinator

& Nick Dornak, Director of Watershed Ser vices The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

Thir t y-t wo percent of surface water assessed in Texas does not meet the bacteria water quali t y standard for primar y contact recreation (TCEQ, 2020). Cypress Creek in Hays Count y is not on the list of impaired waters for the contact recreation use but the lower reach is showing signs of water quali t y degradation and consistently exceeds the state’s E. coli bacteria water quali t y standard (126 CFU/100 ml). This is cause for concern because of the recreational activi ties such as swimming, kayaking and f ly f ishing that take place on Cypress Creek and the impor tant role tourism plays in the economy of the area. E. coli bacteria orig inate in the digestive tract of endothermic organisms, are found in feces of warm-blooded animals, and are used by state and federal agencies as freshwater indicators of potential pathogen contamination. Water quali t y standards have been established using E. coli bacteria for determining suppor t/non-suppor t of the contact recreation use in areas frequented by recreational enthusiasts. Optical brig hteners are chemical com pounds or dyes added to laundr y detergents, cleaning agents, textiles, synthetic f i bers, and many kinds of paper including toilet paper to make them appear brig hter. Optical brig hten ers have been used by researchers as surrogates of wastewater contamination from illici t discharges in storm drains and failing septic systems because they adsorb to cot ton and f luoresce under ultraviolet lig ht, therefore can be easily detected. Optical brig htener moni toring and detection can assist in pollution screening and source identif ication in areas where fecal contamination is known to occur. Researchers around the countr y have used a combination of targeted bacteria and optical brig htener f luorescence to detect human fecal contamination. Historically, moni toring in Cypress Creek occurred quar terly on an annual basis but did not include optical brig htener moni toring as a pollution screening tool. This project employed more frequent spatial and temporal E. coli bacteria sam pling in lower Cypress Creek and included “tampling” moni toring for optical brig htener detection of wastewater contamination.

F igu re 1: Lower Cyp re ss Cre e k Texa s St re a m Te am Mo ni tori ng Si tes

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The lower Cypress Creek project included t wo phases. Phase I consisted of concurrent targeted E. coli bacteria, f ield parameters ( i.e., water temperature (°C), dissolved oxygen (mg/l), pH (s.u.), and specif ic conductance

(µS/cm)), and optical brig htener moni toring at eig ht si tes on lower Cypress Creek t wice weekly for thir teen weeks from June 27 thru September 19, 2021 (Figure 1). The moni toring frequency conducted during phase I was designed to identif y and compare bacteria concentrations during dif ferent times of the week (Sunday and Thursday) and to detect optical brig hteners (presence/absence) associated wi th potential wastewater contamination using the “tampling” method wi th organic cot ton tampons. Phase II consisted of an extension of the sampling at the same eig ht si tes as for phase I, a modif ication of the sampling frequency to once a week (Thursdays) and the suspension of “tampling” moni toring for the detection of optical brig hteners. Texas Stream Team ci tizen scientist moni toring protocols were implemented for the E. coli bacteria and f ield parameters. The optical brig htener “tampling” moni toring was cond ucted using a modif ied optical brig htener “ Tampling – Volunteer Procedures (Beta version)” prepared by Dr. Kelly Al bus, Extension Program Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife. Tampl i n g Mon i tori ng D e v ic e s

Phase II of this study is currently ongoing, but preliminar y results infer sources of E. coli bacteria contamination likely orig inate from a bat colony inhabi ting the underside of the RR12 bridge, nonpoint source runof f during rainfall events and/or leaking wastewater from on-si te septic systems. E. coli moni toring results showed a signif icantly hig her geometric mean downstream of the RR12 bridge than upstream of the bridge where the bat colony is located. In addi tion, Ozona Stream, a tri butar y merg ing wi th Cypress Creek below the RR12 bridge, exhi bi ted a constant f low and had the hig hest E. coli bacteria colony counts throug hout this study (Figure 2). T here was a strong correlation bet ween E. coli bacteria and rainfall accumulation at all Cypress Creek si tes which suppor ts contamination due to nonpoint source pollution during rainfall events from the surrounding urbanized areas. Optical brig htener f luorescence was detected at all si tes and for all deployment treatments during phase I of the project, indicative of wastewater inf luence throug hout lower Cypress Creek.

F i gure 2: E .coli Bacteri a G e om e t r ic Me a n by Sit e from Cy pre s s Cre e k a n d O z o n a Cre e k

Future direction for this project will be to continue to moni tor water quali t y including E. coli bacteria and f ield parameters using the Texas Stream Team protocols at all si tes. The optical brig htener “tampling” moni toring was suspended af ter phase I because all si tes/treatments were exhi bi ting f luorescence wi th no discernable dif ferences. As a follow-up to this project, we will be quantif ying f luorescence using a handheld f luorometer alongside the “tampling” method to develop a colorimetric scale to help wi th interpretation of the visual obser vations.

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Bacterial Source Tracking Analysis in Geronimo Creek

G e ro n i m o Creek at Haberl e Road

T h e nearly 7 0- s qua re mil e Ge ronim o a nd Alligat o r Cree k wat e r sh ed lie s in C o m al an d G u adalu p e C o untie s . Al l igator Cree k o r ig inat e s in so ut h ea st e r n Co m a l Co unt y an d f l ow s sou thea s t throug h New Braunfe ls t owa rd s Se guin, jo ining G e ro nim o Cree k abo u t mi dway i n the wate rs hed ( Figure 1). Th e eve r-ex pa nd ing grow t h a nd ra pid co nve r s i o n of op en sp ace i nto urb a n us e s pos e an inc rea sing ly signif ica nt st re ss o n wat e r q u al i t y i n G eroni mo and Al l igator cree ks . Since 2 006 , G e ro nim o Cree k h a s b ee n l i s t ed o n t h e Tex a s 303(d ) list d ue t o e levat ed E . c o l i b a ct e r ia co nce nt rat io ns a nd nu t r i e nt e nr ic h m e nt co nce r ns fo r ni t rat e -ni t ro ge n . To a d d re ss t h e se issue s, a Wat e r sh ed Pro t ect i o n Pla n (W PP) wa s d eve lo ped , a nd since i t s a cce pt a nce by t h e E nviro nm e nt a l P ro t ect i o n Age ncy in 2 008, i t h a s guid ed pub li c o u t reac h a nd ed ucat io n e f fo r t s t o re st o re a n d p ro t ect wat e r qua li t y in G e ro nim o a nd Allig at o r C ree ks . Agr iL ife E x t e nsio n, G BR A, a nd Tex a s St at e S o i l a nd Wat e r Co nse r vat io n B o a rd co nt i n u e t o fa c ili t at e t h e im ple m e nt at io n of t h e G e ro n i m o a nd Alligat o r Cree k s W PP. O ne of t h e m o s t rece nt a nd signif ica nt a c h ieve m e nt s of t hi s co llect ive st ewa rd sh ip e f fo r t wa s t he B act e r i al So urce Tra c k ing Ana ly sis (B ST) co n d u ct ed t o b et t e r und e r st a nd t h e so urce s of t h e bact e r i al im pa ir m e nt in G e ro nim o Cree k .

F igu re 1: Water Sa m p lin g Loc a t ion s in t he G e roni m o a n d Alli ga t or Cre e ks Wa t e r she d

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O ve r fro m Ro a d we re

a o ne -yea r t im e pe r io d , wat e r s am p l e s t wo lo cat io ns a lo ng t h e c ree k – Habe rl e a nd Se guin O ut d o o r L ea r ning C e nt e r co llect ed eve r y m o nt h a nd a n aly zed t o

det ermi ne the orig in of feca l b a cte ri a fo und in t h e c ree k . Sub seque nt ly, E. c o l i i s o l at e s w i t h i denti f i ed orig ins we re cate gor ized int o so urce gro ups b a sed upo n sim ilar i t y of t h e i r p hysi olog y a nd pote ntia l ma nage m e nt m ea sure s. Th o se iso lat e s t h at d id n o t m at c h any par ti cu lar source we re cate gorized a s “unid e nt if ied ”. Re sult s fro m t h e t wo s i t e s are di scussed below.

Ge ron i mo C re e k at Ha berl e Ro ad Wat e r sa m ple s we re co llect ed fro m G e ro n i m o Cree k nea r Ha b e rle Ro a d , just no r t h of Se guin (Figure 1, St at io n 12 5 76). Th e re s u l t s ind icat ed t h at t h e m a jo r i t y of feca l b act e r i a d et ect ed at t h is si t e o r ig inat ed fro m n o n - av i an w ild life , inc lud ing fe ra l h o gs, d ee r, racco o n s , foxe s, coyo t e s, a nd o t h e r spec ie s. The E . c o li co nt r i b ut io ns a sso c iat ed w i t h t h e a ct i v i t y of t h e se a nim a ls a cco unt ed fo r 5 2 % of t h e t o t al id e nt if ied so urce s. Avia n w ild life suc h a s d uc k s, t urkey s, gee se , gra c k le s, a nd d ove s we re fo un d t o be re spo nsi b le fo r 17% of t h e id e nt if ied s o u rce s of feca l b a ct e r ia . Cat t le , avia n a nd no n - av i an live st o c k (e .g., G uinea fow l, d o nkey s) , an d h um a ns (e .g., m a lfunct io ning se pt ic s y s t e m s) re pre se nt ed a d d i t io na l so urce s of E. c o li i n G e ro nim o Cree k (Figure 2 ). F igu re 2: Ori gi n of Fec a l B a c t e r ia a t St a t ion 1 2 5 76

Ge ron i mo C re e k at Seg uin O utd o o r L ear n in g Ce nt e r Th e o t h e r sa m pling si t e (Figure 1, St at i o n 21 26 1 ) wa s lo cat ed at t h e Ir m a L ew is Se guin Ou t d o o r L ea r ning Ce nt e r (SOLC) in Se guin. Sim i l ar t o t he Ha b e rle Ro a d lo cat io n, t h e ge net ic a n aly s i s of E. c o l i iso lat e s id e nt if ied no n-avia n w i l d l i fe as t h e pred o m ina nt so urce of feca l b a ct e r i a (4 1 %) , fo llowed by cat t le (16 % ), avia n w ild -l i fe ( 1 3 %) , pet s (8% ), h um a ns (3% ), a nd no n-avia n l i ve s t o c k (3% ) (Figure 3). Int e re st ing ly, pet s (e . g . , d o g s a nd cat s) d id no t e m e rge a s a so urce of bact e r i a at t h e Ha b e rle Ro a d si t e lo cat ed upst ream f ro m t h e SOLC.

F igu re 3 : Ori gi n of Fec a l B a c t e r ia a t St a t ion 2 1 2 6 1

U nd e r st a nd ing w h at t y pe s of so urce s co nt r i bu t e feca l b a ct e r ia t o G e ro nim o Cree k is c r i t i cal fo r e f fect ive im ple m e nt at io n of t h e G e ro n i m o a nd Alligat o r Cree k s W PPs. Agr iL ife Ext e n s i o n is a ct ive ly int e grat ing t h e se new ly a cq u i red d at a int o t h e pub lic o ut rea c h a nd ed u cat i o n st rat e g ie s t o fur t h e r pro m o t e lo ca l re s i d e nt s ’ awa re ne ss a b o ut wat e r qua li t y issue s i n G e ro nim o a nd Alligat o r c ree k s. CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Updates from the Comal/Dry Comal Watershed Protection Plan The Ci t y of New Braunfels is continuing to work toward protecting and improving the rivers and creeks wi thin the por tion of the Guadalupe River watershed located in and around New Braunfels. The Ci t y’s water quali t y and watershed protection ef for ts are primarily associated wi th the Dr y Comal Creek and Comal River Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), the Ci t y’s Stormwater Management Program (a.k.a. the MS4 stormwater program) and the Edwards Aquifer Habi tat Conser vation Plan. As par t of the Dr y Comal Creek and Comal River WPP, the Ci t y continues to implement bacteria management measures to reduce bacteria loading to these waterbodies. These ef for ts include, but are not limi ted to, management of urban and non-native wildlife, pet waste management and outreach/education. Specif ic activi ties that have been conducted as par t of the WPP include: • Implementation and enforcement of a wildlife feeding ordinance; • Installation of “No-feed” educational signage at strateg ic locations to educate residents and visi tors on the negative impacts of wildlife feeding and overabundant urban wildlife; • Trapping, removal and management of non-native waterfowl populations in L anda Park; • Installation of pet waste management signage at key locations; • Installation of pet waste dispenser stations in Ci t y Parks, neig hborhood green spaces and multi-family uni ts; • Education and outreach regarding the WPP and bacteria pollution prevention. Includes publication of education materials in local newspapers, classroom presentations and a par t-time Watershed Educator staf fed at the Headwaters at the Comal facili t y; • Production of a watershed educational video to air at local movie theatres and on social media platforms; and • Development of educational activi ties that can be utilized in conjunction wi th WPP-related curriculum and presentations, including t wo web-based games, a watershed visualization stor y map and a hands-on learning module where students can learn about growing bacteria cultures in a laborator y set ting. The Ci t y intends to continue implementing the Dr y Comal Creek and Comal River WPP and fur ther minimize bacteria loading to these waterbodies. More information on the Dr y Comal Creek and Comal River WPP can b e found on the Ci t y of New Braunfels webpage: w w w. nbtexas.org/wpp. The Ci t y continues to mi tigate stormwater pollution throug h the implementation of the Ci t y of New Braunfels Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program. Per the SWMP the Ci t y conducts stormwater pollution prevention activi ties that include but are not limi ted to: Wat e r she d Ou t re a c h a t t he Ne w Bra u n fe l s Do g Pa rk

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• Annual screening of stormwater outfalls to identif y possi ble pollu tant discharges to the Ci t y’s storm drain system and local water ways; • Investigation of pollutant release s and pollution concerns; • Oversig ht of active construction activi ties to ensure contractors are implementing appropriate erosion control and pollution prevention measures; • Oversig ht of requirements for new developments that are intended to mi tigate stormwater pollution from added imper vious cover; • Oversig ht of Ci t y operations to prevent and minimize stormwater pollution; and • Education and outreach.

Re s to re d R i pa ri a n Area i n L and a Park

More information of the Ci t y’s MS4 program and Stormwater Management Plan activi ties can be found on the Ci t y’s websi te at w w w.nbtexas.org/ms4. The Ci t y also continues to par ticipate in the Edwards Aquifer Habi tat Conser vation Plan (EAHCP) that includes the implementation of spring f low and habi tat protection measures intended to protect the habi tat of several federally-listed endangered species in the Comal River system. As par t of the EAHCP, the Ci t y has been performing habi tat restoration activi ties that include: • • • • •

Removal of non-native aquatic vegetation and planting of native aquatic vegetation wi thin L anda L ake and the Comal River; Extensive removal of non-native riparian vegetation ( i.e. - elephant ears, Ligustrum, Chinese tallow, etc.) along L anda L ake and the Comal River; Planting of native plants wi thin the riparian zone of L anda L ake and the Comal River; Removal of non-native f ish and animal species from the Comal River system that includes removal of tilapia, suckermouth catf ish (Plecostomus sp.) and nutria; and Design and construction of stormwater treatment facili ties ( i.e. - bioretention basins) wi thin the Comal River watershed. In October 2021 the Ci t y held the annual Dos Rios Watershed Cleanup event to collect li t ter from local rivers, creeks, and contri buting watershed areas wi thin New Braunfels. The 2021 Dos Rios Watershed Cleanup event utilized the New Braunfels Utili ties’ Headwaters at the Comal facili t y as the event headquar ters. A drive-throug h system was set up for par ticipants to gather their supplies, t-shir ts, and breakfast. Statistics for the 2021 Dos Rios Watershed Cleanup Challenge are listed below: • •

Total Number of par ticipants: 172 Total estimated weig ht of li t ter collected: 1,200 l bs.

Since the ini tiation of the Dos Rios Watershed Cleanup in 2017, approximately 862 volunteers have helped to collect and remove over 7,800 l bs. of li t ter as par t of this event. 2021 D os R i os Watershe d Cle a n u p Log o

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Wimberly Valley Watershed Association Secures 74 Acres of Land for Recharge Protection T h e Wi mberley Va l l ey Wate rs hed Asso c iat io n f ina lized t h e purc h a se of 74 a c re s ad j ace nt t o t he C olemans Ca nyon Pre s e r ve o n Wed ne sd ay, Nove m b e r 10, 2 02 1. Th is p u rc has e sec u res cri ti ca l recha rge a rea for t h e Mid d le Tr ini t y Aquife r a nd is w i t h in t h e cat c hm e nt area for Jacob’s We l l . “ It h a s b ee n a lo ng-t e r m pla n of o u r s t o ex pa nd co nse r vat io n la nd s above Ja co b’s We ll,” ex pla ins David B ake r, Fo und e r a nd E xec ut ive D irect o r of t h e Wat e r sh ed Asso c iat io n. “ Wi th s t ro n g suppo r t fro m Hay s Co unt y, o u r d o n o r s , m e m b e r s, pa r t ne r s a nd t h e co m m u n i t y, we’ ve b ee n a b le t o co nse r ve an ad d i t i o n al 2 5 0 a c re s of c r i t ica l h a b i t at t h at wi l l im m ed iat e ly h e lp pro t ect w il d l i fe an d e nh a nce rec h a rge t o t h e Mid d l e Tr i n i t y Aquife r, o ur co m m uni t y ’s wat e r s u p p ly, a nd pro t ect f low at Ja co b’s We l l an d i n Cy pre ss Cree k .” D r y Cy pre s s Cre e k

T h e Jacob’s We l l Natura l Area , Col e m a ns Ca nyo n P re se r ve , a nd now t h e D r y C y p re s s t ract p rotect n early 2 mil e s of Dr y Cypre ss Cree k a nd 2 5 0 a c re s of c r i t ica l rec h a rge zo n e . L ower G len Ros e Lime s tone —the to p laye r of t h e Mid d le Tr ini t y Aquife r— is exp o s ed at t h e su rface and is ea s ily dis s olved fo r m ing k a r st feat ure s like cave s a nd sinkh o l e s . K ar s t featu res along the cree k a nd in the upla nd s provid e a d irect link t o t h e gro u n dwat e r sy stem below. T h is lan d cons e r vation e f for t of fe r s si g ni f i cant environme nta l b e ne f i ts t h at i n clude protecting s e ns i tive rec harge caves a nd ka rs t feature s , i mprovi n g the qua l i t y a nd qua nti t y of groun dwater recha rge vi ta l to keepi n g Jacob’s We l l a nd Cypre s s C reek f lowi n g, pre s e r ving hig hq u a li t y cri ti cal wil dl ife ha b i tat, an d could less e n f l ooding pote ntia l t h ro u g h strate g ica l ly l ocated g reen i n frastructure projects . L i mi ti ng deve l opme nt throug h l a nd co nser vati on in the recha rge a rea fo r Ja co b’s Well s pring b e ne f i ts a l l Hays C ou nt y resi dents a nd vis i tors . Ma p o f Ne w l y Ac q u i re d Dr y Cy pre s s Tra c t

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

Highlights from Plum Creek Watershed Partnership Ne w Citi z e n Sci e nce Water Q ual ity Mo n ito r in g Gro up T h e Plu m Creek Stewa rds is a new gro up m o ni t o r ing t h e Plum Cree k Wat e r sh ed u n d e r Tex as Stream Tea m. Our tra ined ci tize n sc ie nt ist s co llect st a nd a rd wat e r qua l i t y p arameters at o ne s i te monthly. The d at a inc lud e d isso lved ox yge n, a ir a nd wat e r t emperature, pH, wate r tra ns pa re ncy, a nd f ie ld o b se r vat io ns suc h a s f low, weat h e r, p resen ce of alg a e , wate r s urf a ce a nd o d o r. Th e St ewa rd s no t o nly a d d t o t h e s t at e w i de database he l d by Texa s Strea m Tea m ; t h ey a lso se r ve a s o b se r ve r s of Plum C ree k, esp eci ally i n the ra pidly urb a nizing area s w h ic h m ay b e sub ject t o sw if t c h a nge s i n wat e r q u a l i t y that meri t re por ting.

Events: Tra s h a nd Trees

" Ke e p Lockha r t Beaut ifu l" Volu n t e e r s

Th e f ir st wee ke nd in Nove m b e r was a bu s y a nd b e ne f ic ia l t im e fo r t h e Plum C ree k Wat e r sh ed . Two succe ssful vo lunt ee r eve nt s o cc ur red : Kee p L o c k h a r t B eaut ifu l Fal l Clea nup a nd t h e Re -lea f Re fo re st at i o n . T he Kee p L o c k h a r t B eaut iful 2 02 1 Fa ll C l ean an d G ree n eve nt wa s t h e f ir st in-pe r s o n c l ean u p eve nt in t h e wat e r sh ed since t h e o n s et of t h e pa nd e m ic . O ve r 12 0 vo lunt ee r s co l l ect ed nea rly 1,000 po und s of t ra sh in 6 p arks a c ro ss L o c k h a r t , inc lud ing Tow n Bran c h Cree k . Th a nk s t o a ge ne ro us d o nat i o n fro m Sce nic Tex a s, 100 t ree s we re g i ve n t o c lea nup pa r t ic ipa nt s. Vo lunt eer s we re a lso fed b rea k fa st t a co s a nd recei ved “ Kee p L o c k h a r t B eaut iful” re usa b le fa ce m as ks .

T h e G u adalupe-Bl a nco R ive r Trus t h e ld i t s seco nd Re L ea f event at th e Pl um Cree k Wetl a n d s P re se r ve . Th e P re s e r ve, located jus t nor th of Lockh a r t , co nt a ins 2 1 co n s t ru cted wetl a nd ponds , which at t ra ct a va r iet y of w i ldli fe i n cluding dee r, a mphi b ia ns, re pt ile s, a nd p ol l i n ators. The Re -l ea f Re fore s tatio n pro ject a im s t o ret u r n the 2 65 -a cre Pre s e r ve to i ts nat ive ve get at io n. D u r i ng the t wo-day eve nt, 30 vol unt ee r s pla nt ed ove r 7 0 0 nati ve trees . T he eve nt at tra cted vo lunt ee r s fro m var i ous org ani z ations , s uch a s the Lo st P ine s Ma st e r Nat u rali sts, G u ada l upe Count y Ma s te r Nat ura list s, L ock har t IS D, Texa s A&M Fore s t Se r vice , G ua d a lupe Bl an co Ri ver A uthori t y, Pl um Cree k Wat e r sh ed Pa r t n ershi p , Kee p Lockha r t Beautif u l, a nd Tex a s St at e U n i ve rsi t y. Re - L e a f Tre e P l a n ti n g Ev ent Vol unt eers

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Invasive Species Removal and Other Watershed Protection Activities in the Upper San Marcos River T h e second i t e ration of Impl e me nt at io n Ph a se I in t h e U ppe r Sa n Ma rco s Rive r Watershed P rotection Pl a n ha s hi t t h e gro und r unning! Th is 319 fund ed pro ject of f i c i al ly k i c ked of f late 2020 a nd is a col l a bo rat ive pro ject w i t h Th e Mea d ow s Ce nt e r fo r Wat e r an d the Envi ronme nt, the Sa n Ma rco s G ree nb e lt Allia nce , t h e Ci t y of Sa n Marco s , an d t he Me r mai d S ociet y of Texa s . The ma in co m po ne nt s of t h is gra nt inc lud e re st o rat i o n wo rk i n t he S essom Cree k Natura l Area as we ll a s ex t e nsive ed ucat io n a nd o ut rea c h p ro g ram s . T h e watershed tea m is exci ted to sh a re a ll t h e pro gre ss co m plet ed in yea r o n e of t he p roj ect as well a s what is to come ! Th e re st o rat io n po r t io n of t he Se sso m Cree k Nat ura l Area p ro j ect is spea rh ea d ed by t h e Ci t y. T h e Nat ura l Area is in a c r uc i al l o cat i o n in t h e wat e r sh ed d ue t o i t s u p s t ream lo cat io n in re lat io n t o t h e S an M arco s Rive r a s t h e sur ro und ing d eve l o p m e nt m a ke s i t m o re susce pt i bl e t o po llut a nt s a nd t h e la nd el evat i o n inc rea se s e ro sio n fro m s t o r mwat e r r unof f. Re st o rat io n a ct iv i t i e s ove r t h e pa st yea r h ave inc lud ed r i p ar i an re st o rat io n by re m oving i nvas i ve t ree s suc h a s ligust r um , c hi n e s e t a llow, a nd t ree of h eaven ; n at i ve a nd ca no py t h inning t o i m p rove und e r st o r y pla nt e st a b lis h m e nt ; a nd co m plet io n of ve getat i ve f i l t e r Co m p leted Vegetati v e F ilt e r St r ip in Se ssom Cre e k Na tu ra l Are a st r ips t o re m ove sed im e nt an d o t he r p ol lutants fro m runof f . Future re s t o rat io n w ill inc lud e pla nt ing nat ive ve get at i o n an d st ream restoration. T he natura l a rea h a s a lrea dy b eco m e a n o ut sid e la b o rat o r y fo r Texas St ate Uni versi t y, improving the tea c h ing a nd lea r ning ex pe r ie nce s fo r b o t h s t u d e nt s an d p rofessors. In addi ti on to the re s toration work in t h e Se sso m Cree k Nat ura l Area , t h e Sa n M arco s G reen belt A llia nce s pea rhea ded the d eve lo pm e nt of a Co m m uni t y Tra il Pla n fo r t h e fu t u re of the natura l a rea . The pl a n inc lud e s a nat ure t ra il, m a int e na nce , a nd ed u cat i o n al si g nage that wil l b e inte grated into t h e nat ura l a rea o nce re st o rat io n wo rk i s co m p l et e . T h e edu cati ona l s igna ge wil l hig hl i g ht unwe lco m e inva sive ve get at io n, no np o i nt s o u rce p ol luti on , n atura l s ol utions for nat ura l pro b le m s, t h e co nf lue nce of Se sso m C ree k an d Wi n dmi ll Tri b uta r y, a nd wil l a l s o inc lud e a t ra ilh ea d sign ex pla ining revi t a liz at i o n e f fo r t s i n t he p ark .

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

In v as iv e Sp eci es Removal in t he Rip a r ia n Zon e n e a r S e s s o m Cre e k

T h e educati on and outrea ch por tion of t h e pro ject is m a inly spea rh ea d ed by t he Me r m ai d S oci et y. Ove r the pa s t yea r, t h e Me r m a id So c iet y wo rked t o d eve lo p ed u cat i o n cu r r i cu lum and outrea ch mate ria l s t h at e nh a nce t h e Me r m a id Spla sh a nd Pat c h p ro g ram s fo r t he 2 02 1-2 022 s chool yea r. Both t h e Spla sh a nd Pat c h pro gra m s h ave now of f i c i al ly k i c ked-of f i n sc hool s wi th Me rma id May a , t h e pro gra m s m a sco t , a lrea dy m a k in g he r way into f i ve ele me nta r y s chool s ! En h a nced c ur r ic ulum feat ure s t h e im po r t a n ce of p reventi n g n onpoint s ource pol l utio n a nd co m b ine s sc ie nce w i t h fa nt a sy, e nco u rag i n g you t h to becom e e nvironme nta l s tewa rd s in t h e co m m uni t y. E nga ge m e nt w i t h s c ho o l s an d t he p u bli c wil l continue for the re m a ind e r of t h e pro ject pe r io d . P ro ject i mp lementation wil l continue unt il ea rly 2 023. Th e wat e r sh ed t ea m is d ed i cat ed t o p rotecti ng the wate rs hed a nd inc rea sing awa re ne ss. Fo r m o re info r m at io n abo u t t h e U p p er S an M arcos R ive r Wate rs hed Pro t ect io n Pla n plea se visi t U p p erS anM arco sR ive r. org.

Me r m a id Soc ie t y Sc hool Ou tre a c h

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Geronimo Creek Watershed 18

Alligator Creek | Geronimo Creek

¬ «

# *

306

20748

. !

# *

New Braunfels 35 § ¦ ¨

20749

. !

?! . ?

# * # * ! 20743 . . !

. !

20742

# *

. 14932 !

# * . !

Water Quality Monitoring (GBRA)

# *

Wastewater Outfall (TCEQ)

! 21262 .

¬ « 123

. 12576 !

1804A

Guadalupe River Basin

± 0 0.5 1

. !

21260

Seguin

. !

10 § ¦ ¨

. !

21261

20744

# *

r 18 Cre 04 ek D

. 12575 !

. ! ! 20745 .

# * # *

2 Miles

Description Se gm e nt 1804 A re pre s e nt s G e ro nim o Cree k , a 17- m i l e t r i b ut a r y of t h e G ua d al u p e R i ve r. G e ro nim o Cree k is co nt ai n ed w i t h in a 6 9 squa re m i l e wat e r s hed lo cat ed in Co m a l a nd G u ad al u p e Co unt ie s, m o st ly w i t h i n t he E xt raTe r r i t o r ia l Jur isd ict io n s ( E TJs) of New Braunfe ls a nd S e g u i n . G e ro nim o Cree k ’s h eadwat e r s a re lo cat ed in so ut h ea s t C o m al Co unt y a nd a re fed by t wo m aj o r spr ings, Tim m e r m a nn Sp r i n g an d a n unna m ed spr ing co m i n g f ro m t h e L eo na Aquife r a nd al l uv i u m . L ike m a ny o t h e r wat er s h ed s i n t h e ce nt ra l Tex a s re g i o n , t he la nd use h a s b ee n pred o m i n ant ly a gr ic ult ure , h oweve r t h e re i s a sh if t t owa rd m o re ur ban i zed areas a s t h e re g io n co nt inu e s t o at t ract new re sid e nt s.

20747

# *

. !

Facts and Fe at u re s Drainage Area Length Tributaries Aquifer River Segments Cities & Communities Counties EcoRegion Climate Land Uses

69 square miles 17 miles Alligator Creek (1804C), Bear Creek (1804D) Edwards Balcones Fault Zone, Carrizo Wilcox 1804A, 1804C, 1804D New Braunfels, Seguin, Geronimo Comal, Guadalupe

Water Body Uses

Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairie Average annual rainfall 34.48 inches, Average annual temperature 20.8°C Urban, suburban sprawl, light industry and recreational Aquatic life, contact recreation, general use, fish consumption, and agriculture

Soils

Dark, calcareous clay, clay with rocky outcrops

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

Segments 1804A, 1804C and 1804D

G e ro n i m o Cre e k at Haberl e Road

Concerns and Recommendations S eg m ent 1804A wa s f irs t l is ted on th e Tex a s 303(d ) list of im pa ired wat e r b o d i e s i n 20 0 6 . T h e enti re wate rb ody wa s found to b e im pa ired fo r co nt a ct rec reat io n w i t h a n E . c o li geo m etri c mean of 1 62 MPN/10 0 mL , t h e st at e sc ree ning c r i t e r ia leve l is 12 6 M PN/ 1 0 0 mL . T he stream wa s a l s o l is ted for co nce r ns fo r N i t rat e N i t ro ge n b ecause m ea s u re m e nt s exceeded the 1.95 mg/L s cree ning cr i t e r ia leve l. In re spo nse t o t h is, in 2 008 t h e Texas St at e S oi l an d Wate r Cons e r vation Bo a rd (TSSWCB), t h e G BR A, a nd Tex a s A& M A g r iL i fe E x t ensi on began working wi th l oca l st a ke h o ld e r s t o d eve lo p a Wat e r sh ed P ro t ect i o n Pl an ( W PP) for G eronimo Cree k a nd i ts tr i b ut a r y, Alligat o r Cree k . Th e TSSWCB a lso f u n d ed addi t i on al water qua l i t y moni toring t o f ill d at a ga ps a nd h e lp fur t h e r fa c ili t ate WPP develop ment, and s uppl e me nt the exist ing m o ni t o r ing und e r t h e Clea n Rive r s Pro g ram . In 2 0 12 the WPP wa s a cce pted by the E PA, t h e t h ird in t h e st at e of Tex a s. Po l l u t ant sou rces i denti f ied in the wate rs hed inc lud e ur b a n r unof f, d o m e st ic pet s, se pti c s y s t e m s , n at i ve and n on-native wil dl ife , a nd agr ic ult ure . B e st Ma na ge m e nt P ra ct ice s (BM Ps) have bee n recommended throug h the WPP, a nd t h e G e ro nim o a nd Alligat o r Cree k s Wat e r s hed C oord i n ator i s t a s ked wi th working wi t h st a ke h o ld e r s in t h e wat e r sh ed t o ed u cat e an d h e l p i mplement the s e BMPs . In 2 02 0 a Bacteria l Source Tra cking (B ST) st udy wa s co nd uct ed at t wo si t e s a l o n g G eron i mo Creek, at Station 1 2576, Ge ro nim o Cree k nea r Ha b e rle Ro a d , a nd St at i o n 21 26 1 at t h e Irma Louis Se guin Outdoor Lea r ning Ce nt e r. Re sult s fro m t h e st udy sh owed t h at most of the bacte ria s a mpl e s col l ect ed d ur ing t h e sa m pling eve nt s ca m e fro m wi l d l i fe sou rces, an d less tha n 3% ca me f rom so urce s t h at co uld b e id e nt if ied a s h um a n . Fo r a more i n depth de s cription of this s a m pling a nd t h e re sult s, plea se re fe r t o t h e G e ro n i m o an d Alli gator Cree ks WPP update in t h is Re po r t .

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Segments 1804A, 1804C and 1804D Concerns and Recommendations Continued B e g i n ni n g i n 1996, the GBR A moni t o red 1804 A a s pa r t of t h e CRP m o ni t o r ing p ro g ram at s tati on 14932, nea r the conf l ue nce of Alligat o r Cree k at st at e Hig hway 123 . In 20 0 3 t h at si te was dis continued in f avor of a new si t e d ow nst rea m t h at wa s d e sig n at ed by t h e TCE Q as a n ecore g ion re fe re nce lo cat io n. Th is AU h a s b ee n ro ut ine ly m o n i t o red si n ce 2 003 u nde r the CR P at s tatio n 12 5 76 , lo cat ed at t h e Ha b e rle Ro a d c ro s s i n g , ap p roxi mately four mil e s s outh of t h e co nf lue nce w i t h Alligat o r Cree k . Th is i s c u r re nt ly t h e on ly moni toring s tation in the G e ro nim o Cree k Wat e r sh ed t h at is m o ni t o red u n d e r t h e C RP moni toring progra m. 1 8 0 4 C (Alligat o r Cree k ) a nd 1804 D (B ea r Cree k) , as we l l as m u lti ple springs a nd we l l s in th e wat e r sh ed a re m o ni t o red und e r t h e G e ro n i m o an d A l l igator Creeks WPP moni toring p ro gra m . A s of the 2 02 0 Texa s Inte grated Re po r t , 1804 A is st ill im pa ired fo r E. c o l i w i t h a geo metri c mea n of 1 99. 95 MPN/1 0 0 mL , a n inc rea se fro m t h e ini t ia l list ing i n 20 0 6 . N i t rate Ni troge n a l s o continue s to b e a co nce r n in t h is AU. Re sult s fro m a ni t rat e i s o t o p e st u dy, fun ded by TSSWCB, s howed t h at t h e m a jo r i t y of ni t rat e ni t ro ge n in t h e wat e r s h ed resulted from a comb ination of ni t ro ge n fe r t ilize r s a nd se pt ic wa st e . BMPs fo c u s ed o n n i t rate reduction s houl d focus on ed ucat ing co m m e rc ia l a nd re sid e nt ia l fe r t i l i ze r u s e r s about run of f as we l l a s ide ntif ying a nd d eco m m issio ning fa iling se pt ic sy st em s . In FY2 1, the GBR A conducted a n Aq uat ic L ife Mo ni t o r ing Eve nt (AL M) at st at i o n 1 257 6 t o s ur vey the ha b i tat, f is h communi t y, a nd m a c ro b e nt h ic co m m uni t y w i t h in t hi s AU. A n A L M event i s compris ed of t wo dat a co llect io n d ay s, o ne in t h e Ind ex Pe r io d ( M arc h 1 5 – J u ly 2 ), and one in the Cri tica l Pe rio d (July 3 – Se pt e m b e r 24). Re sult s fro m t he A L M are

GBR A Sta f f on Geroni mo Creek

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

GBR A Sta f f E l e c tro f i s h i n g a s Pa r t o f a n A q u a ti c Li fe Moni t ori ng Ev ent

u sed to determine how the s trea m is c ur re nt ly ra nk ing co m pa red t o t h e Aquat i c L i fe Us e D esi gn ati on g i ve n by the TCEQ. Pe rennia l st rea m s a re pre sum ed t o h ave a Hig h aq u at i c l i fe u se desi g n ation, pe r the Texa s A d m inist rat ive Co d e (TAC) Rule § 307.4 . Th e AU’s A q u ati c Li fe Use De s ignation, the Cur re nt ly Asse ssed St at us, a nd t h e re sult s of t h e A L M are presented i n the ta b l e b e l ow: Aquatic Life Monitoring Events

Fish Community

Macroinvertebrate Community

Habitat

Aquatic Life Use Designation

High (41-48)

High (29-31)

High (20-25)

Currently Assessed Status*

Intermediate (49)*

High (38)*

High (22)*

FY21 Index Period Score

High (45)

Exceptional (41)

High (22)

FY21 Critical Period Score

Exceptional (50)

Exceptional (39)

High (21)

FY21 Average

High (48)

Exceptional (40)

High (22)

*Curren t Assessme n t St a t u s Pu blishe d in 2 0 2 0 TC E Q Texa s In te gra te d Re po r t (1 2/ 1/ 2 0 1 1 - 1 1/ 3 0/ 2 0 1 8)

Resu lts from th is ALM s how that this AU is m eet ing o r exceed ing i t s a sse ssed s t at u s i n al l t h ree categorie s . Nota b ly, b oth f ish co m m uni t y a nd m a c ro inve r t e b rat e co m m u n i t y recei ved an exce ptiona l rating durin g t h e a sse ssm e nt m a d e d ur ing t h e c r i t ical p e r i o d , t h e t i me of year whe n the cree k is t y pica lly und e r t h e m o st st re ss d ue t o h o t s u m m e r t emperatures and dr y condi tions . T h e h ig h e r t h a n ave ra ge a m o unt of ra in t h at t he wat ershed received in June a nd July 2 02 1 co uld h ave co nt r i b ut ed t o t h is re sul t .

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Plum Creek Watershed * # *# # *

§ ¦ ¨ 20505

. 20482 !

. 12538 ! !# . *

Kyle ! . 20503

21 ¬ «

# *

Wastewater Outfall (TCEQ)

# *

# * . 20489 !

20481 12559

. !! ! . # *. . # ! * . ! 17406 20484

20486

USGS Stream Gage

# *

. 20502 !

. 20479 !

Water Quality Monitoring (GBRA)

# *

. 20480 !

. !

Uhland

£ ¤ 183

. 20488 !

# *

. 12558 !

. !

12649

# *

. 18343 ?!

. 20490 !

# *

Lockhart .! 20509 ! .! . 12557 20492

# *

. 20491 !

20507

. !

20508

. 12648 ! . ! # * . 12647 !

20494

. !

. 20495 !

# *

20493

14945

. !

. 12645 !

# *

Pl ee Cr um 810 1

. 20496 !

20497

. !

12556 ! .

20500

Plum Creek

. 20498 !

!? . . 12642 !

20501 20499 . ! ! . Luling

# *

Guadalupe River Basin

.12643 !

. !

# *

12555

12640

. !

10 § ¦ ¨

# * 4 Miles

Description Se gm e nt 1810 re pre se nt s Pl u m Cree k , a 5 2-m ile t r i b u t ar y of t h e Sa n Ma rco s Rive r wi t h a 389 squa re m ile d ra in age area in t h e ra pid ly d eve lo p i n g I-3 5 co r r id o r. Th e m a jo r c i t i e s i n t h i s wat e r sh ed inc lud e Bu d a, Kyl e , L o c k h a r t , L uling, a nd Uhl an d . Hist o r ica lly t h is a rea h as bee n d o m inat ed by a gr ic ult u ral l an d use . Howeve r, like m any o t he r a rea s in ce nt ra l Tex a s , Pl u m C ree k is ex pe r ie nc ing ra pid u r ban i z at i o n a nd a po pulat io n b o o m . Fro m 20 0 0 t o 2 019 t h e ove ra ll wat e r s h ed ex pe r ie nced a n ave ra ge p o p u l at i o n inc rea se of 2 09 % . Howeve r, a m a jo r i t y of t h e inc reas e h as o cc ur red nea r t h e h ea dwat e r s of Plum Cree k in Bud a, Kyl e , an d U h la nd w h e re po pulat i o n s h ave inc rea sed 5 2 8% , 76 0% , an d 3 1 1 % re spect ive ly in t h at t i m e f ram e . A s of 2 019, 10% of t h e wat e r s hed i s co nsid e red ur b a n, a n i n c reas e of 3.4 % (12 squa re m ile s) s i n ce 20 0 4 .

Facts and Fe at u re s Drainage Area Length Tributaries Aquifer River Segments Cities & Communities Counties EcoRegion Climate Land Uses Water Body Uses Soils

389 square miles 52 miles Bunton Branch, Porter Creek, Andrew's Branch, Richmond Branch, Cowpen Creek, Brushy Creek, Elm Creek, Dry Creek, Town Creek (1810A), Clear Fork, West Fork Edwards Balcones Fault Zone, Leona Aquifer, Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer 1810, 1810A Buda, Kyle, Uhland, Lockhart, Luling Hays, Caldwell Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairie, Post Oak Savannah Average annual rainfall 34.43 inches, Average annual temperature 70.64°F Urban, suburban sprawl, light industry, recreational, agriculture Aquatic life, contact recreation, general use, fish consumption, and agriculture and ranching Dark, waxy soil to sandy loam, limestone to black waxy chocolate and grey loam

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

P l u m Cre e k n e a r C ount y Road 135

Segments 1810 and 1810A

Concerns and Recommendations Segment 1810 was f irst listed on the Texas 303(d) list of impaired water bodies in 200 4. The middle and upper end of the segment were found to be impaired for contact recreation, due to an E. col i geometric mean of 183 MPN/100 (the state cri teria level is 126 MPN/100 mL). The stream was also listed for concerns regarding Ni trate + Ni tri te Ni trogen levels above the cri teria level of 1.95 mg/L. As a result of the waterbody impairments, the Texas State Soil and Water Conser vation Board, GBR A, and AgriLife Extension engaged local stakeholders to develop a Watershed Protection Plan, wi th the goal of addressing water quali t y concerns throug h increased water quali t y moni toring, public outreach, and the development a nd implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). This was the f irst WPP developed in the state of Texas as implementation began in 2008. In 2010 the TCEQ moved Plum Creek Watershed from categor y 5a, which requires Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) to address impairments, to categor y 4b, which allows the WPP to at tempt to address the impairments. Because of this segment’s 4b categorization, i t is not listed on the 303(d) list for impaired waterbodies. Along wi th the WPP, Plum Creek has a Watershed Coordinator to spearhead education and outreach ef for ts and BMP implementation throug hout the watershed. A group of stakeholders from wi thin the watershed were broug ht together to ser ve as funding par tners and Steering Commi t tee Members to help guide the Coordinator in their ef for ts and provide local knowledge. This stakeholder group includes: • • • • • • •

GBR A Hays Count y Ci t y of Kyle Ci t y of Lockhar t Ci t y of Uhland Polonia Water Supply Local landowners and businesses

• • • • • •

Plum Creek Conser vation District (PCCD) Caldwell Count y' Ci t y of Buda Ci t y of Luling Hays Count y Soil and Water Conser vation District #351 Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation District #304

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Segments 1810, 1810A Concerns and Recommendations Continued The headwaters of Plum Creek are fed by natural springs stemming from the Leona Aquifer wi th addi tional springs contri buting throug hout the watershed. However, wastewater ef f luent comprises much of the f low in Plum Creek. Currently, the creek receives ef f luent from 23 outfalls that are associated wi th 18 permi t ted wastewater treatment facili ties, and there are an addi tional three wastewater permi ts currently pending in the watershed. Several of the wastewater treatment plants in the watershed strive to achieve 5-5-2-1 treatment levels (5 mg/L CBOD, 5 mg/L TSS, 2 mg/L NH3-N, 1 mg/L phosphorus), a voluntar y measure recommended by the Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan. In 2016 a Bacterial Source Tracking (BST) study was conducted in the watershed by the GBR A and the Texas A&M Universi t y Soil and Microbiolog y L aborator y. Results from the study showed that most of the bacteria samples collected during the 12 month study came from wildlife sources, and less than 10% came from sources that could be identif ied as human. As of the 2020 Texas Integrated Repor t 1810 is listed as impaired for E. coli, and has concerns for f ish communi t y, habi tat, Ni trate, Total Phosphorus, and Ammonia. The rapid urbanization in the watershed, leading to increased runof f, is a likely source for the continued increase in bacteria and nutrient loading in the creek. Continued engagement of the stakeholders in the watershed, and fur ther BMP implementation is needed to mi tigate bacteria and nutrient loading. Segment 1810 is divided into three Assessment Uni ts (AUs). Those AUs, associated moni toring si tes, and major events in the AU will be descri bed here. Assessment Uni t 1810_01 represents the lower third of the watershed, from the conf luence wi th the San Marcos River to 2.5 miles upstream of the Clear Fork Tri butar y. This AU is moni tored at station 12640 at the Count y Road 135 crossing southeast of Luling, T X. This station was moni tored by the TCEQ from 1983 until 1998 when moni toring duties we re transferred to the GBR A under their CRP contract. This AU receives discharge from the Clear Fork, West Fork, and Salt Branch tri butaries. Several wastewater treatment facili ties contri bute ef f luent to the f low in this AU, including Lockhar t and Luling’s Wastewater Treatment Plants. This AU is impaired for bacteria, and has concerns for f ish communi t y, habi tat, ni trate, and total phosphorus. The 2020 Texas Integrated Repor t of Surface Water Quali t y repor ted that this AU had an assessed geometric mean of E. coli concentrations of 222.4 MPN/100 mL, an assessed value for f ish of 39 out of 42, and an assessed value for habi tat of 19 out of 20. Addi tionally, the AU has concentrations of ni trate and total phosphorus of 4.36 mg/L and a 1.03 mg/L, respectively; their screening cri teria are 1.95 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively.

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

GBR A Sta f f C o n d u c ti n g a F i s h Su r v ey on Pl um Creek

In FY21, the GBR A conducted an Aquatic Life Moni toring Event (ALM) at station 12640 to sur vey the habi tat, f ish communi t y, and macrobenthic communi t y wi thin this AU. An ALM event is comprised of t wo data collection days, one in the Index Period (March 15 – July 2), and one in the Cri tical Period (July 3 – September 24). Results from the ALM are used to determine how the stream is currently ranking compared to the Aquatic Life Use Designation g iven by the TCEQ. Perennial streams are presumed to have a Hig h aquatic life use designation, per the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rule §307.4. The AU’s Aquatic Life Use Designation, the Currently Assessed Status, and the results of the ALM are presented in the table below: Aquatic Life Monitoring Events

Fish Community

Macroinvertebrate Community

Habitat

Aquatic Life Use Designation

High (42-51)

High (30-34)

High (20-25)

Currently Assessed Status*

Intermediate (39)*

High (31)*

Intermediate (19)*

FY21 Index Period Score

Limited (34)

High (30)

High (22)

FY21 Critical Period Score

Intermediate (36)

High (30)

High (22)

FY21 Average

Limited (35)

High (30)

High (22)

*Curren t Ass e ssm e n t St a t u s Pu blishe d in 2 0 2 0 TC E Q Texa s In te gra te d Re po r t (1 2/ 1/ 2 0 1 1 - 1 1/ 3 0/ 2 018)

Results show that this AU is currently n ot meeting i ts aquatic life use designation for f ish communi t y, but is meeting for both macroinver tebrate communi t y and habi tat. During the ALM conducted in the Index period, an equipment malfunction occurred when the electroshocker used for f ish collection became inoperable, causing the team to utilize t welve seine hauls to collect f ish species rather than the t ypical 180 minutes of electroshocking paired wi th six seine hauls. This change in sampling could have contri buted to the ‘Limi ted’ score for f ish communi t y at that event. Also at this ALM Event, the GBR A conducted a mussel sur vey to conf irm native freshwater mussel population wi thin the AU. The following f ive native mussel species were found during the event:

- Cyclonaias necki, Guadalupe Orb (Endangered Species Act Candidate) - Lampilis teres, Yellow Sandshell - Lampilis hydiana, Louisiana Fatmucket - Cyclonaias pustulosa, Pimpleback - Quadrul a quadrula, Mapleleaf

Na ti ve Mu s s e l s Fo u nd i n Pl um Creek

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Segments 1810, 1810A Concerns and Recommendations Continued Assessment Uni t 1810_02 encompasse s the middle por tion of 1810, from 2.5 miles upstream of the Clear Fork tri butar y to 0.5 mile upstream of State Hig hway 21. Historically this AU has been moni tored at station 12647 at the Count y Road 202 crossing southeast of Lockhar t, T X. The TCEQ and i ts predecessor agencies moni tored this station from 1981 uni t 2005 when moni toring duties were transferred to the GBR A. This AU receives discharge from Brushy Creek, Dr y Creek, and Town Creek (1810A) tri butaries, as well as several wastewater treatment facili ties including Lockhar t L arremore, Shadow Creek, and Sunf ield. This AU is impaired for bacteria, and has concerns for f ish communi t y, habi tat, ni trate, and total phosphorus. The 2020 Texas Integrated Repor t of Surface Water Quali t y repor ted that this AU had an assessed geometric mean of E. coli concentrations of 326.18 MPN/100 mL, an assessed value for f ish of 38 out of 42, and an assessed value for habi tat of 19 out of 20. Addi tionally, the AU has concentrations of ni trate and total phosphorus of 5.87 mg/L and a 1.30 mg/L, respectively; their screening cri teria are 1.95 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively. Assessment Uni t 1810_03 encompasses the uppermost por tion of the watershed from 0.5 mile upstream of State Hig hway 21 to the upper end of the segment above FM 150 in the Ci t y of Kyle. This AU has been moni tored at station 17406 on Plum Creek Road upstream of the c i t y of Uhland by the GBR A under the Clean Rivers Program. This AU receives discharge from the Por ter Creek tri butar y, which receives the wastewater discharge from the ci t y of Buda. This AU also receives the ef f luent discharge from the ci t y of Kyle. Due to the rapid growth and expansion in this segment, many wastewater treatment facili ties are undergoing expansion projects. Notably, the Kyle Wastewater Treatment Facili t y is undergoing a major expansion project to keep up wi th demand. They were previously permi t ted to discharge 3.0 Million Gallons of ef f luent per Day (MGD). They are currently undergoing an expansion that will increase their discharge to 4.5 MGD, wi th future expansions planned that would increase discharge to 9 MGD, and a f inal planned expansion wi th a discharge rate of 12 MGD. This AU is impaired for bacteria, and has concerns for macrobenthic communi t y, ammonia, ni trate, and total phosphorus. The 2020 Texas Integrated Repor t of Surface Water Quali t y repor ted that this AU had an assessed geometric mean of E. coli concentrations of 516.27 MPN/100 mL. Addi tionally, the AU has concentrations of ammonia, ni trate, and total phosphorus of 1.77 mg/L, 10.53 mg/L and a 2.42 mg/L, respectively; their screening cri teria are 0.33 mg/L, 1.95 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively. Town Creek (1810A) is an unclassif ied tri butar y of Plum Creek that discharges into Plum Creek in AU 1810_02. 1810A is moni tored at station 20509 in Lockhar t Ci t y Park. This segment was assessed by the TCEQ and is impaired for bacteria wi th a concern for ni trate. The 2020 Texas Integrated Repor t of Surface Water Quali t y repor ted that this AU had an assessed geometric mean of E. coli concentrations of 229.41 MPN/100 mL, and an ammonia concentration of 10.73 mg/L. Town Creek is heavily inf luenced by spring f lows from the Leona Aquifer which has historically hig h ni trate concentrations, and the E. coli concentrations are likely due to the dense wildlife population wi thin Lockhar t Ci t y Park.

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T

Ho n e y Cre e k a t G u a d a l u pe R i v er St at e Park

CLEAN RIVERS PROGRAM

Prepared in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the authorization of the Clean Rivers Act. The State of Texas is an Equal Oppor tuni t y 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, relig ion, sex, national orig in, poli tical af f iliation, veteran status or disab ili t y.

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

933 E. Co ur t St . | Se guin, Tex a s | 7815 5 830-379 -5 82 2 g b ra .o rg

2022 B A S I N H I G H L I G H T S R E P O R T