Interactive GIS emphasizing hydrologic data in the Texas Hill Country for the Hill Country Alliance

Purpose Two discrete components – Developed an interactive mapping server (interactive GIS) depicting hydrologic and environmental data for the public – Provided data in a uniform format for the purpose of creating a groundwater vulnerability model

What is an interactive GIS? Internet mapping service (IMS) A website that allows a user to view dynamic maps, spatial content and spatial analysis via the Internet Geared towards use by the general public

Texas Hill Country The Texas Hill Country has seen a population explosion in the last few years. County 2000 Population 2006 Estimated Population% Change* Bexar (San Antonio)1,392,9311,555, Comal (New Braunfels)78,021101, Hays (San Marcos)31.1 Gillespie (Fredericksberg)20,81423,52713 Kendall (Boerne)23,74330, Travis (Austin)812,280921, Data from the US Census Bureau*Percent change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006

Hill Country Features Comal Springs, San Marcos Springs, Barton Springs

Aquatic Species Fountain darter, Comal Springs riffle beetle, San Marcos salamander

Birds Golden-cheeked warbler Black-capped vireo

Hill Country Alliance The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. Formed in September of 2004 to begin educating the public about regional planning, conservation development, and a more responsible approach growth in the hill country.

Scope HCA is composed of 17 counties - Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Comal, Edwards, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Real, Travis, Uvalde Specifically defined and prioritized data layers Website capable of use by the general public

Data A. Core/Critical Data Digital Elevation Models, contours, county shapefiles, transportation, soil data, major and minor aquifers, recharge zone, caves and sinkholes, vegetation extent and type, surface geology, faults and lineaments, streams, springs and dams B. Value-Add Data Critical habitat/endangered species, dye tracer studies, location of USGS data collection sites, streamflow gain/loss data C. Nice-to-Have Data Wastewater disposal areas, large groundwater withdrawals, aquifer hydraulic characteristics, aerial orthophotos

Data Sources TNRIS – Texas Natural Resource Information System TPWD – Texas Parks & Wildlife Department USGS – United States Geologic Survey EAA – Edwards Aquifer Authority TSS – Texas Speleological Survey NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service BEG – Bureau of Economic Geology

Unique Features of Manifold IMS Dynamic updates Cost-effective Accepts over 80 data formats Hyperlinked information

Challenges Integration with TerraCorps’ urban landuse dataset Large coverage area (17 counties, 17,763 square miles) Multiple datums, data formats

Hill Country Alliance Interactive Website link

Groundwater Vulnerability Insert text here

Groundwater Vulnerability Slope in percent (raw)

Groundwater Vulnerability Soil Component, Ksat Attribute (raw)

Groundwater Vulnerability Soil Component, Ksat Attribute (indexed)

Groundwater Vulnerability Soil Component, Total Composite

Final Deliverables Final Report – 2 copies Poster for display in Geography Department DVDs (2) for the IMS containing: All data Metadata Final Report Poster PowerPoint Presentation Instructions on how to use the DVD DVDs (2) for the groundwater vulnerability model containing: Model data in raster form Metadata Interactive Web Viewer

Conclusion The end results of this project will be tools that help to divert the inevitable growth of the region towards less vulnerable parts of the Hill Country, thereby maintaining the environmental degradation at a more manageable level and extending the lifespan of this uniquely beautiful and fragile piece of the world.

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