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Edwards Aquifer Habitat

Conservation PlanNathan Pence

Executive Director – Endangered Species Programs

Edwards Aquifer Authority

Edwards Aquifer

Covered Species

Fountain Darter Comal Springs Riffle Beetle San Marcos Gambusia*

Comal Springs Dryopid

BeetlePeck’s Cave

AmphipodTexas Wild-rice*

All photos except Gambusia and Wild-rice credit of Abbott Nature Photography.

Covered Species

Texas Blind Salamander

San Marcos Salamander Edwards Aquifer Diving Beetle

Comal Springs

Salamander

TX Troglobitic Water Slater

All photos except Gambusia and Wild-rice credit of Abbott Nature Photography.

Limitations of the Edwards Aquifer

1956 Drought of Record– Comal

Springs ceased flow for 6 mos.

Endangered Species Act of 1973

Increased demand:

San Antonio: population of 2 million

Surrounding communities

Industry/Agriculture

Increased Development/Reduced

Recharge

Drought magnifies all

Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP)

Senate Bill 3 created the EARIP as a collaborative stakeholder process to

balance the water needs of the Edwards Aquifer (Endangered Species and

Human).

Process operated by consensus

Adaptive Management Process

USFWS participation

Incidental Take Permit

ITP issued in March of 2013 and will span until March 2028 (15 years).

5 Permitees and 1 non-voting member*:

Edwards Aquifer Authority

San Antonio Water System

City of San Marcos

City of New Braunfels

Texas State University

Guadalupe Blanco River Authority*

Conservation Measures

Habitat Restoration and Springflow

Protection

Biological Objectives

Flow Rates, Habitat Condition, & Water

Quality

Biological Goals

Available Habitat & Species Population

San Marcos Springs

• Texas Wild-rice Enhancement

• Non-Native Species Control

• State Scientific Area

Comal Springs

• Flow Split Management

• Old Channel Restoration

• Riparian Restoration

Habitat Restoration

Springflow Protection

Programs

Stage V

Regional Water

Conservation Program

VISPO

Aquifer Storage and

Recovery

Springflow Biological Goals

Comal Springs Flow Objectives

225 cfs Long-term Average (50 year)

45 cfs Monthly Average

30 cfs Daily Average - not to exceed 6 months

San Marcos Springs Flow Objectives

140 cfs Long-term average (50 years)

50 cfs Monthly average

45 cfs Daily Average (6 months)

Conservation Measure Achieved Work

Remaining

San Marcos & Comal Habitat Restoration ✔ ✔

Critical Period Management Reductions ✔

Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) ✔

Regional Water Conservation Program (RWCP) ✔

Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option

(VISPO)

✔

Biological and Water Quality Monitoring Programs ✔

Hydrologic and Ecologic Modeling ✔

Refugia ✔

2014 Partners in Conservation Award

Department of the Interior

City of San Marcos and

Texas State University

Habitat Restoration

San Marcos and TXSTATE

Habitat Restoration

o Texas Wild Rice Enhancement*

o Sediment Removal

o Control of Non-Native Plant Species

o Native Riparian Habitat Restoration

o Mgt. of Floating Vegetative Mats and Litter

o Non-Native Species Control*

o Management of Recreation in Key Areas

o State Scientific Area*

o Impervious Cover/Water Quality Protection

o Management of Household Hazardous Waste

o Sessom Creek Sand Bar Removal

San Marcos RiverSpring Lake

Sewell Park

Lions Tube Rental

Meadows Center

Boat Tour

TX Wild-rice

Riparian Restoration

River Access

Aquatic Vegetation Restoration

Texas wild-rice

BeforeAfter

Riparian Improvements

BeforeBefore

After

Recreational Access Points

Before After

Improved Erosion Control

Before After

2016

Civic/Community

Award

Landa Lake, 1956 Landa Lake, 2014

Questions?

1. Aquatic Vegetation Restoration (30 minutes),

2. Riparian Restoration and River Access (30 minutes).

Next Up….

Field Demonstrations and Tour

Texas State University Use of the Quadcopter

• Images using the quadcopter

have assisted in documenting

work efforts in aquatic

vegetation through time.

• Texas State found the

quadcopter useful in tracking

changes in aquatic vegetation after flood events.

• The quadcopter is an effective

tool for completing rapid

assessments.

Texas State University Use of the Quadcopter

Images captured by Texas State

University quadcopter of an area prior to non-native aquatic

vegetation removal

AfterAfter

Before

Then…

3. Glass-bottom boat tour (30 minutes)

4. Discovery Hall & Lunch – Fajitas!!