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USGS1999

Stormwater runoff for selected watersheds in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, Bexar County, Texas, 1996-98

The Edwards aquifer is one of the most productive carbonate aquifers in the Nation. The dissolution-modified, faulted limestone aquifer is the sole source of public water supply for San Antonio, Texas (fig. 1) and is the major source of water for Bexar County. In addition to providing public water supply to more than 1 million people, the Edwards aquifer supplies large quantities of water for agriculture, industry, and military installations. Major springs discharging from the aquifer support recreational activities and businesses, provide water to downstream users, and provide habitat for several threatened or endangered species.

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USGS1997

Water-quality summary of the San Marcos Springs Riverine System, San Marcos, Texas, July-August 1994

San Marcos Springs is the second largest spring in Texas and is the headwaters for the San Marcos River in San Marcos. Spring Lake (fig. 1) was built in 1848 at the site of a marsh formed by the springs to provide hydropower to a mill. The San Marcos River originates from the 15-acre lake and flows approximately 4 river miles (mi) south to its confluence with the Blanco River. The mean annual flow of the San Marcos River is about 170 cubic feet per second (ft 3 /s).

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USGS1997

Water Quality Assessment of the Comal Springs Riverine System, New Braunfels, Texas, 1993-94

Comal Springs of Central Texas are the largest springs in the southwestern United States. The long-term average flow of the Comal River, which essentially is the flow from Comal Springs, is 284 cubic feet per second (ft3/s). The artesian springs emerge at the base of an escarpment formed by the Comal Springs fault. The Comal River (fig. 1) is approximately 2 miles (mi) long and is a tributary of the Guadalupe River. Most of the Comal River follows the path of an old mill race, here referred to as New Channel, then flows through a channel carved by a tributary stream (Dry Comal Creek), eventually rejoining its original watercourse. The original watercourse, here referred to as Old Channel, has been reduced to a small stream, the source of which is water diverted from Landa Lake and several springs in the channel. In addition to being an important economic resource of the region, the springs and associated river system are home to unique aquatic species such as the endangered fountain darter (Etheostoma fonticola). The Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis), which exists in the springflow channel upstream of Landa Lake, has been proposed for listing as endangered. The Comal Springs dryopid beetle (Stygoparmus comalensis) and the Peck’s cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki) are two subterranean species associated with Comal Springs also proposed for endangered listing.

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