Land of the Living Waters The South Llano River, its Springs, and its Watershed Photos: Jennifer Walker

Why the Study? Conflicts develop when Rural communities have pressure place on water resources -lack of adequate data -laws favorable to development of resource -lack of local organization and unified voice

Area of major springs

Median Monthly Discharge for Llano River at Junction and Pedernales River at Johnson City

Major Springs of the South Llano Contribution to Flow Big Paint ~ 45% Seven Hundred ~ 35% Tanner ~15% Area of major springs

Source of Springs From Gunnar Brune, 1975

Elevation ’ Elevation ’

Groundwater Table and Direction of Flow

8,000 ac-ft of pumping Edwards County 8,000 ac-ft of pumping Edwards County following drought of 1950s Simulated Drawdown of the Aquifer

Elevation ’ Elevation ’ Elevation ’ 40-45% Reduction in River and Springflow

ESTIMATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE TEXAS WATER BUDGET

AVERAGE GCM 50-yr PROJECTIONS (21 models) UNDER A1B AND A2 SCENARIOS: SOUTH-CENTRAL U.S. REGION TEMPERATURE:+ 2 C o PRECIPITATION:- 5 %

Normal ( ) 1950’s drought with modern water uses rainfallrunoffflow to coastevapo- transpiration* * excluding lake evaporation PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS OF SURFACE WATER BUDGET as a fraction (%) of Normal 1950’s drought with modern water uses & global warming

Elevation ’ Elevation ’ Elevation-- ???????????????????????????????????????????????????

Median Monthly Discharge for Llano River at Junction and Pedernales River at Johnson City During the dry summer of 2006, the Llano River accounted for 75% of the flows into Highland Lakes

Possible Solutions? Land Stewardship efforts increase the absorption capacity of the Watershed

Source of funding for more land stewardship efforts Potential Opportunity Critical Source of Water Supply to Downstream Users, especially during drought!

Source of Funding for more Land Stewardship efforts in South Llano Watershed Potential Opportunity Critical Source of Water Supply to Downstream Users, especially during drought!

Other Issues Groundwater Exports –By law, a Groundwater District cannot impose more restrictive production limits on groundwater exports Groundwater Management Areas –Groundwater Districts are in the process of determining Desired Future Conditions Determining how much water is available?

Texas Tech Llano River Field Station

Water’s for Fightin’

Concerns about groundwater future aired By Alyson Chapman By Alyson Chapman The Daily Times Published September 2, 2008 A large crowd packed the Groundwater Management Area 9 meeting Friday in Kerrville to discuss future conditions of the area's aquifers. Groundwater experts from nine counties - Bandera, Blanco, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, North Bexar, North Medina and South Travis - are developing a plan for the aquifers for a 50-year period.

Water’s for Fightin’ LCRA approves request for James River water A Mason County property owner's bid to divert water from the James River to reservoirs there cleared its first hurdle Wednesday, but more obstacles lie ahead for the plan opposed by downstream residents.

Proactive Opportunities Provide a forum for natural resource management education and discussion Identify common interests and provide a cohesive voice that benefits the local community regarding resource issues Initiate local and regional stakeholder involvement in protection and preservation of resource before significant issues arise How? Provide opportunities for grant funded studies

Formation of Non-profit Organization Watershed Association? LLANO MASON KIMBLE SUTTON EDWARDS REAL Mark your calendars: November 15th

Tyson Broad texaswatermatters.org/southllanoriver.htm PUBLIC WORKSHOP – Llano River Field Station November 15, 2008