By Rumanda Young
After a webinar on low-impact development (LID) with RedVector, I thought it appropriate to post a blog on how important the LID approach has become within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zones in Texas Hill Country. The Edwards Aquifer fulfills the water needs (recreation, industry, and residential) of south central Texas, specifically in the highly populated areas of San Antonio and Austin.
The aquifer has special meaning to Texans. In truth, San Antonio would not exist without the aquifer. There are many beautiful and meaningful Edwards Aquifer water features. The website, edwardsaquifer.net, offers a collection of images and short essays about some of the most significant features.
The Blue Hole, Barton Springs, Leona Springs, and many others hold a special place in both history books and hearts. Barton Springs has special memories for me as a summer fun spot in Austin, Texas. In 2003, the natural pool was closed for environmental testing and the results depicted contamination from urbanization.
Many hydrologists fear that uncontrolled urbanization will eventually lead to closing Barton Springs. In 2008, Robert Redford co-produced a documentary titled the Unforseen as part as the fight to preserve this precious natural resource.
The aquifer has special meaning to Texans. In truth, San Antonio would not exist without the aquifer. There are many beautiful and meaningful Edwards Aquifer water features. The website, edwardsaquifer.net, offers a collection of images and short essays about some of the most significant features.
The Blue Hole, Barton Springs, Leona Springs, and many others hold a special place in both history books and hearts. Barton Springs has special memories for me as a summer fun spot in Austin, Texas. In 2003, the natural pool was closed for environmental testing and the results depicted contamination from urbanization.
Many hydrologists fear that uncontrolled urbanization will eventually lead to closing Barton Springs. In 2008, Robert Redford co-produced a documentary titled the Unforseen as part as the fight to preserve this precious natural resource.
The Blue Hole in San Antonio was once a fountain spring. In 1857, Frederick Law Olmsted described the beauty in the following way:
...The San Antonio Spring may be classed as the first water among the gems of the natural world. The whole river gushes up in one sparkling burst from the earth. It has all the beautiful accompaniments of a smaller spring, moss, pebbles, seclusion, sparkling sunbeams, and dense overhanging luxuriant foliage. The effect is overpowering. It is beyond your possible conceptions of a spring. You cannot believe your eyes, and almost shrink from sudden metamorphosis by invaded nymphdom.
The Blue Hole no longer fits Olmsted’s description, but is still a beautiful natural retreat from urbanization.
Due to the historic reliance on the Edwards Aquifer, very little surface water facilities have been developed. Water demand in this high populace, semi-arid climate area is beyond the Aquifer's capacity. Each precious inch of rainwater that falls is essential to capture and recharge. Therefore, low-impact development techniques/approaches within the recharge and contributing zones are crucial. The benefits for Texas Hill Country would be groundwater recharge, cleaner streams and rivers, urban heat island effect reduction, improvement in local air quality, and enhancement in the aesthetic quality of Hill Country. Currently, there is an initiative for public agency representatives to develop a technical guidance manual for using low-impact development techniques in arid and karst regions. This would be a wonderful tool to help conserve our much needed stormwater in Texas.
Due to the historic reliance on the Edwards Aquifer, very little surface water facilities have been developed. Water demand in this high populace, semi-arid climate area is beyond the Aquifer's capacity. Each precious inch of rainwater that falls is essential to capture and recharge. Therefore, low-impact development techniques/approaches within the recharge and contributing zones are crucial. The benefits for Texas Hill Country would be groundwater recharge, cleaner streams and rivers, urban heat island effect reduction, improvement in local air quality, and enhancement in the aesthetic quality of Hill Country. Currently, there is an initiative for public agency representatives to develop a technical guidance manual for using low-impact development techniques in arid and karst regions. This would be a wonderful tool to help conserve our much needed stormwater in Texas.
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