Environmental

site

inventory

Freeman Ranch

Texas State University

Conducted March 20, 2015

Prepared By:

Jennifer Franco & Matthew Casas

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY – GEOGRAPHY DEPARTEMENT

601 UNIVERSITY AVE, SAN MARCOS, TEXAS 78666

MARCH 25, 2015

2

25 March 2015

Texas State University Field Method 4430

Department of Geography

Texas State University-San Marcos

601 University Ave

San Marcos, Texas 78666

Dr. Huebner:

Environmental Site Inventory at Freeman Ranch

Here, in full detail, I have an Environmental Site Inventory of Freeman Ranch

in San Marcos, Texas. With great resources and overall knowledge, the

Environmental Site Inventory took no time at all. The appendix attached to this

letter has a description of site that includes verbal and absolute location

description, legal status of site, and maps/aerial photograph. Including natural

environment that covers elevation, hydrogeology, geology and landforms,

climate, and ecosystems. Lastly, we covered information about the land use

inventory.

With great certain, I believe the work Ms. Franco and I put forth will meet your

needs and undoubtedly be helpful for years to come at Freeman Ranch. The

land is beautiful and nothing beats a Texas Ranch in the spring. We appreciate

the opportunity to complete the Environmental Site Inventory for that portion

of Freeman Ranch.

For this report, the resources we have used and funds we have accounted for.

Ms. Franco and I will be asking for a total of $5,725.38.

Sincerely,

Matthew Casas & Jennifer Franco

Texas State University Scholars

3

Table of Contents

Description of Site-----------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Verbal & Relative Location--------------------------------------------pg.

Absolute Location----------------------------------------------------------pg.

Size of Site----------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Legal Status---------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Maps-------------------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Aerial Photography---------------------------------------------------------pg.

Natural Environment--------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Elevation-------------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Hydrology-----------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Geology and Landforms-------------------------------------------------pg.

Climate---------------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Soils--------------------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Ecosystems---------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Land Use Inventory---------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Present Land Use----------------------------------------------------------pg.

Future Land Use Values In Demand----------------------------pg.

Climate Inventory----------------------------------------------------------pg.

CERCLIS----------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

LUST/LPST-----------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Water Inventory------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Biological Inventory------------------------------------------------------pg.

Cultural-Social Inventory-----------------------------------------------pg.

Other Significant Aspects of the Site-------------------------------------pg.

References-----------------------------------------------------------------------------pg.

Verbal Description:

Freeman Ranch is a large piece of land mostly grasslands on the outskirts

of San Marcos, Texas. It is owned by Texas State University. Freeman

Ranch is primarily for research and education purposes. Freeman Ranch

is between San Marcos, Texas and Wimberley, Texas and is accessible

from Ranch Road 12. Going west from San Marcos, it is roughly 5 miles

and coming east from Wimberley it is roughly 13 miles. When you arrive

to County Estates Drive from Ranch Road 12.You will take a right (from

San Marcos) or a left (from Wimberley) and it will be approximately 2.08

miles until you will take a right onto Freeman Ranch Road. Once here,

you will travel half a mile to the site which will be on you right.

Address:

2101 Freeman Ranch Road, San Marcos, Texas 78666

Relative Location:

On Interstate 35, take Wonderworld Dr. Exit 202. Veer right onto

Wonderworld Dr. and continue straight for 8.1 miles on Ranch Road 12.

Turn right onto Fulton Ranch Rd. (Co Rd 213) and follow until you have

reached 2101 Freeman Ranch Rd on the right.

Description of Site

4

Location of Site

5

Location and Size of Site

Absolute Location

1. Geographic

i. Latitude: 29°56'5.49"N

ii. Longitude: 98° 0'27.19"W

2. UTM:

i. False Easting: : 595,784mE

ii. False Northing : 3,311,981mN

3. UTM Zone:

i. 14R

4. SPCS:

i. False Easting: 695,811.003mE

ii. False Northing: 4,233,315.024mN

5. SPCS Zone:

i. 4204/South Central Texas Coordinate System

Size of Site

100 hectares 2. 246 +/- acres

6

Legal Status of site

1. Ownership:

Freeman Educational Fund

2. Country:

United State of America

3. State/Province:

Texas

4. County/Parish:

Hays

5. City:

San Marcos

6. Zoning Status: N/A

7. ETJ:

San Marcos

8. MSA/CMSA:

Austin/Round Rock, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area

9. Other status affecting site:

Lower Colorado River Authority, Edwards Aquifer, Pipeline

Easement.

7

Appendix 1: mapsState map

Figure 1:

Shows the state of Texas and the maroon box is the general

location of the Environmental Site Inventory at Freeman Ranch.

(Bing Maps)

8

Appendix 1: mapsCounty map

Figure 2:

Shows the outline of Hays County and the maroon box indicates

the general site of the Environmental Site Inventory at Freeman

Ranch. (Google Maps)

9

Appendix 1: maps

Topographic map

Figure 3:

A topographic map of the Environmental Site Inventory location at

Freeman Ranch. (Google Topographic)

10

Appendix 1: maps

City map

Figure 4:

Shows the City of San Marcos and the Environmental Site Inventory at

Freeman Ranch as a perspective. (Google Earth)

11

Appendix 1: maps

Plat map

Figure 5:

A scanned copy of the plat map of the Freeman Ranch.

(Hays County Appraisal District)

12

Appendix 1: maps

Aerial photograph

Figure 6:

An aerial image of the Environmental Site Inventory inside Freeman

Ranch. (Google Earth)

13

Elevation:

1. Low: 860 ft High: 900 ft

Relief: 6.1 meters and 20 feet.

Hydrology:

1. Surface water on/adjacent to site: N/A

2. Closet named stream draining site: Sink Creek

3. Downstream course and ultimate destination:

Sink Creek flows into the San Marcos River at Spring Lake in San Marcos, then the San Marcos River flows into the Guadalupe River near Gonzales, TX. The Guadalupe River flows to the Gulf of Mexico at San

Antonio Bay approximately 50 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, TX. (Texas Water Commission, 1985).

4. Direct distance to coast in miles and km: 131.8 miles (212 km)

5. Major river basin: Guadalupe River Basin

6. River authority: Guadalupe Basin River Authority

7. SB1 TWDB Regional Planning Group: Region South Central TX

8. TCEQ Stream segment at site: 1814 (TCEQ 2012)

9. Major water quality problems: animal waste and sediment list violations

Aquifers:

a. Major: Edwards Aquifer b. Minor: Trinity Aquifer

10. Underground water district: Edwards Aquifer Authority

Source of water for site:

Sink Creek, Edwards underground water district, and upper San Marcos watershed.

11. Waste-water disposal method: Septic Tank, City of San Marcos Waster Water

12. Destination of waste water: San Marcos River

13. FEMA-FIRM Floodplain status: Ephemeral stream running through Turkey

pasture (Freeman Ranch).

FEMA-FIRM Map number:

48209c0360f & 48209C0380F

Natural environment

14

15

Flood Plain map

Figure 7.

Floodplain Map: Freeman Ranch identified with red marker.

(Retrieved from

https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/maps/gis/map_downloads/map_g

allery/bio/)

Flood Plain map

16

Figure 8.

Floodplain map of Freeman Ranch-Large scale view.

(Retrieved from

https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/land/maps/gis/map_downloads/ma

p_gallery/bio/)

17

Geology and landformsa. Mapping Code: Ked

b. Name of mapped unit (formations): Edwards Limestone

c. Type of Rock: Limestone and dolomite

d. Age: Chronostratigraphy

1. Eon: Phanerzoic

2. Era: Mesozoic Era

3. Period: Lower Cretaceous

4. Epoch: Comanchean (University of Texas, 1982).

5. Years before present range: 100-145 mya (GSA 2012)

6. Landform Region and sub-region:

Great Plains Province, Edwards Plateau Section, and Texas Hill Country

District (Fenneman, 1931).

1. Geologic hazards: sinkholes and flooding

2. Nearby mining activities/resources:

Cement, carbonate rock (USGS 1998)

1. Closest major landform feature: Balcones Escarpment

2. Surface configuration: Hard Limestone and marl. Stair-step topography;

stable slopes, thin clay soils, local seeps and minor springs (UTBEG 1999)

Figure 9

Detailed geologic map of the San Antonio area showing the subject property located on

Edwards Limestone.

18

Month Temp˚C Temp˚F Precip

mm.

Precip

in.

January 10.3 50.5 55.6 2.19

February 12.0 53.6 50.8 2.00

March 16.2 61.2 57.2 2.25

April 19.9 67.9 67.1 2.64

May 24.0 75.2 121.4 4.78

June 27.6 81.6 108.2 4.26

July 28.9 84.0 62.0 2.44

August 79.0 84.2 59.7 2.35

September 25.9 78.7 89.7 3.53

October 21.0 69.8 100.6 3.96

November 15.5 59.9 74.7 2.94

December 10.7 51.4 56.9 2.24

Yearly Mean 24.25 ˚C 68.16 ˚F 75.3 mm 2.97 in.

Climate- Mean annual Tmeperature and precipitationYears 1971-2013

Name of nearest official weather station with long-term record:

San Marcos Texas Weather Station (NOAA)

Years of record for climate records: 1971-2013

Highest recorded temperature:

109°F (42.7°C)

Two days in different years had the same temperature (June 25, 2013 and June 16, 1998.)

Lowest recorded temperature: 4°F (-15.5°C) December 20, 1989

Wettest year: 1981 13.98 in (355.09 mm)

Between 1971 and 2013

Driest year: 2012 0.00 in (0.00 mm)

Between 1971 and 2013

19

Climate-Average potential evapotranspiration (PET)

Month Precipitation mean

(inches)

Monthly Temp

(°C)

PET

(mm)

January 2.06 10.6 17

February 2.00 12.2 24

March 2.48 16.1 44

April 2.72 20.6 76

May 4.13 24.4 112

June 4.64 27.8 151

July 2.50 28.9 160

August 2.19 29.4 164

September 3.42 26.1 130

October 4.33 21.1 81

November 3.05 16.1 44

December 2.29 11.1 19

Yearly sum 35.81 NA

Apr-Oct sum 23.93 NA

100 year 24 hour storm: 10 in (254 mm) (Hershfield, 1961).

b. Average length of frost-free period: March to November-

244 days

1. Average date of last frost in spring: Feb 28th

2. Average date of first frost in fall: Nov 24th

3. Average length of growing season: 269 days

20

Climate-Köppen

Climate Type: Temperate: hot summers/mild winters

Köppen code: Cfa

Climate name: Humid Subtropical

Description of climate:

San Marcos experiences hot summers, cool/mild winters, and

year-round precipitation. The Texas regional climate is subtropical

subhumid (Larkin and Bomar, 1983).

Major climate hazards:

Floods, drought, fire, and lightening.

21

Soils of the property

1. Name of soil:

Rumple Comfort (USDA, 2013). Tarpley Clay, Rumple Comfort and Comfort Rock

Comples

Description of soil:

Shallow to moderately deep soil that is well drained and consists of clayey and cherty soils.

Soil suitability and limitations/problems:

These soils are not suitable for crops because they

have limited rooting zones caused from cobbles and stones.

Soil taxonomic classification:

a. Order: Mollisolls

b. Suborder: Ustolls

c. Great Group: Argiustolls

d. Sub-group: Udic Argiustolls

e. Family: Clayey-skeletal, mixed, thermic Udic Argiustolls

f. Series: Rumple

g. Variant: 1-8%

2. Name of soil:

Comfort Rock

Description of soil:

Shallow, well drained, clayey soils on uplands.

Soil suitability and limitations/problems:

Suitable for rangeland and wildlife habitat.

Soil taxonomic classification:

a. Order: Mollisolls

b. Suborder: Ustolls

c. Great Group: Argiustolls

d. Sub-group: Udic Argiustolls

e. Family: Clayey-skeletal, mixed, thermic Udic Argiustolls

f. Series: Comfort

g. Variant: Convex

22

ecosystemsName of major terrestrial ecosystem: Balcones Canyonlands

EPA or TPWD Level III: 30 c.(Vegetation Types of Texas—TPWD bulletin 7000-120 1984)

Figure 10

Depicts ecoregions in the San Marcos/ Austin area (30 c.) Which is in the Balcones

Canyonlands area, Colored shaded green in the lower left half of figure.

Description of ecosystem:

The plant communities consist of open grasslands to dense forest and woodland. The

established grasslands and savannahs are composed of a variety of native and non-native

grasses and forbs. The majority of the area is covered by a variety of Juniper-Oak woodlands.

Ashe Juniper, both mature and invading shrub, can be found in nearly all open areas.

Established Hill Country plants scattered within the ecosystem consist of: twisted leaf yucca,

plateau anemone. low loosestrife, sycamore leaf snowbells, and Texabama croton (Slown,

Holly, Krey, Ciccone & Kaufman 2001)

Other terrestrial ecosystems:

a. Oak-Juniper Savannahs

b. Evergreen Woodlands

c. Deciduous Forest

d. Edwards Aquifer Subterranean

Aquatic ecosystems:

Subtropical Karst Aquatic Ecosystem & Artesian Spring (Farquahar, 2010)

23

Land-use inventory

Present land use:

The land is currently used for ranching (cattle-grazing), education,

research, and was formerly used for hunting.

Future land use values in demand:

Freeman Ranch is currently highly desirable because of its location and

size. It is currently being used for research and education purpose, as

desired by the brothers that donated the ranch. The property holds

residential, commercial and recreational value as stated below.

Residential- desirable real estate property

2. Commercial- N/A

3. Agricultural- cattle grazing

4. Industrial- N/A

5. Transportation- N/A

6. Recreation- hunting, hiking, and biking.

7. Other- The future land use of the subject site has an

opportunity to be a residential property. There is market in agriculture and

recreation of future use of this site under Texas State University and student

demand.

24

Climatic inventory

Current air quality problems and causes:

Due to the close proximity of highway flow of traffic from

ongoing cars, this site has potential for pollution from

byproducts of gasoline emissions from cars. This site is also

host to numerous amounts of feral hogs surrounding the

area. This could be potentially hazardous to plants and soil

from overgrazing/ soil erosion which could lead to severe

flooding.

Air quality values in demand:

Clean air is in demand.

Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and

Liability Information System (CERCLIS) listed superfund sites:

Closest CERCLIS site in county:

None in Hays County. The closest CERCLIS site is located in

Comal County: I 35 Truck accident with explosive cargo in

2005 (U.S. EPA, 2013).

Potentially:

State Highway 123 PCE Plume in San Marcos (EPA ID-

TX0001576370)

Pollutant:

Explosive Cargo, (potentially) PCE (Perchloroethlyene)

Status: Cleaned up, Inactive

LUST/LPST sites within 0.5 mile radius: N/A

Description and status: N/A

25

1. Water quality and quantity problems:

Drought, animal waste and runoff pose a significant problem.

2. Current use in gallons per day: 100 gallons/day

3. Water demand anticipated beyond current use:

4. Threats to water quality and quantity:

Soil Erosion, droughts, and pollution. Potential hazardous also

include chemical spills and the potential increase of cattle pose

threats to the water quality and quantity available.

Water inventory

26

Biological Species inventory1. Threatened/Endangered Species (plant and animal)

Federal:

Amphibians: Barton Springs Salamander, Blanco Blind Salamander, Blanco River Springs

Salamander, San Marcos Salamander, Texas Blind Salamander

Birds: American Peregrine Falcon, Arctic Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Black-capped Vireo, Golden-

cheeked Warbler, Mountain Plover, Peregrine Falcon, Sprague’s Pipit, Western Burrowing Owl,

Whooping Crane, Zone-tailed Hawk

Fishes: Fountain Darter, Guadalupe Bass, Ironcolor Shiner, San Marcos Gambusia

Reptiles: Cagle’s Map Turtle, Spot-tailed Earless Lizard, Texas Garter Snake, Texas Horned Lizard

Plants: Bracted Twistflower, Hill County Wild-mercury, Texas Wild-rice, Warnock’s Coral Root

(TPWD 2013)

State:

Amphibians: Texas Blind Salamander, San Marcos Salamander

Birds: Whooping Crane, Bald Eagle, Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler

Clams: Texas Pimpleback

Fishes: Fountain Darter

Flowering Plants: Bracted Twistflower, Texas Wild-rice

Insects: Comal Springs Riffle Beetle, Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle

(Slown, Holly, Krey, Ciccone & Kaufman 2001)

Other significant biota on site: Carp species

Current threats to biota: Wildlife such as coyotes threaten many other biota on site as well as

overgrazing from goats, hogs, steer. Pollution is imminent.

Future threats to biota: Potential water shortages or water contamination are a possibly threat in

the future and perhaps habitat loss if the school decides to construct residential buildings and/or

27

1. Registered historical/archaeological sites:

There are no registered historical or archaeological sites with the

state or nation on this property (U.S. National Park Service, 2014).

2. Cultural/historical/archaeological resources

3. Cultural-social values in use:

The property is used for education, hiking, and hunting.

4. Cultural-social values in demand:

The Subject site could be potentially used for ranch division

and subsequent residential areas according Texas State

necessities.

Cultural-social inventory

28

References

Bomar, G. W. and T. J. Larkin. 1983. Climatic Atlas of Texas. Texas Department

of Water Resources LP-192.

Fenneman, N.M. 1931. Physiography of the Western United States. New York:

McGraw Hill Book Company, Inc.

Hershfield, D. 1961. Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the U.S. for Durations from 30

minutes to 24 hours and Return Periods from 1 to 100 years.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2012. First and Last Freeze

Date Averages and Extremes for Central and South Central Texas.

Texas Water Commission. 1985. Segment Identification Maps for Texas Rivers and

Coastal Basins. Austin, TX: Texas Water Commission Publication LP

85-01.

The University of Texas at Austin. Bureau of Economic Geology. 1982. Geologic

Atlas of Texas, San Antonio Sheet. Austin, Texas.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2013. CERCLIS.

ftp://ftp.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/tx/tx_eco_pg.pdf. Last accessed March 25, 2015 .

United States Department of Agriculture. 2013. Soil survey of Comal and Hays

Counties, Texas. Soil Conservation Service. College Station, Texas.

United States National Park Service. 2014. Research in the Parks, Archeology

Program.

USGS. 1998. Mine and mineral processing plant locations.