The Medina River, in central Texas, is a spring fed river flowing through the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, eventually flowing into the San Antonio River. The watershed is predominantly rural but urbanizing rapidly due to expansion in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. It is one of many waterbodies in central Texas on the Texas Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) list due to high levels of E. coli. Water quality data collected demonstrates that E. coli concentrations are often higher than allowed by state standards.
In 2021 efforts began to better understand the sources of E. coli in the watershed and develop a strategy to reduce their impacts on instream water quality. The Medina River Watershed Protection Plan was subsequently funded to work with watershed stakeholders, supported by agency and university personnel to address issues and develop solutions to them in the watershed.
Project Objectives
- Acquire, compile, and evaluate existing data and related information.
- Establish needed pollutant load reductions to meet water quality standards.
- Expand the Medina River Stakeholder Group.
- Present a unified approach to seek and secure funding for watershed projects.
- Coordinate outreach and education efforts in the watershed.
- Develop a stakeholder driven WPP that prioritizes strategies for the implementation of best management practices to restore and protect the water quality of the watershed.
Medina River Watershed Goals
- Develop and maintain partnerships for watershed management and implementation.
- Encourage the use of ordinances and other programs to assure implementation of BMPs.
- Encourage nutrient removal at WWTPs.
- Encourage BMPs on agricultural lands.
- Pursue protection of rural land uses and riparian buffers.
- Reduce illegal dumping.
- Develop Park facilities.
This project is formed in collaboration with the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA).
