Oct 30, 2014 known as the vista ridge pipeline, the project was pushed by the citys water utility as the best way to shore up a longterm water supply for san antonio beyond the dwindling edwards aquifer. The j17 index well was drilled in 19 and is located in the small building at the base of this water tower near the national cemetery at fort sam houston in san antonio. Find out more about this fascinating city in san antonio, part of the american cities series. Edwards aquifer authority historical water level chart.
Weather san antonio forecast, radar, severe alerts ksat. In the 2010s, in addition to its original downtown section, the passage included the museum reach, which extended through more of san antonio s top attractionsincluding brackenridge park, the zoo, the pearl district and three museumsand the mission. San antonio history matrix university of texas at san antonio. Drought plan for edwards aquifer is okd san antonio. The h 2 o heroes want to help you have fun and maybe even learn something along the way. The edwards aquifer is one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. Ron nirenberg is the mayor of san antonio, the fastest growing city with the 7th largest population in the united states. The edwards bfz aquifer forms a narrow belt extending through counties from a groundwater divide in kinney county through the san antonio area northeastward to the leon river in bell county. The river, creeks and aquifer have promoted the citys development so. Years of heavy pumpage have caused significant waterlevel declines in portions of the aquifer. The rocks of the san marcos platform form the most transmissive part of the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area. At that time, san antonio left its own trigger levels in place, saying it could meet the required percentage cutbacks by drawing water from reserves at its aquifer storage and recovery facility. The san antonio river walk, with its colorful shops, restaurants, and barges, has been the citys signature tourist destination for decades.
The current aquifer level at the j17 well is near 678 feet. Aquifer storage is correlated with water levels recorded in the j17 bexar. Aug 31, 2014 the san antonio water system saws has been trying to import groundwater from the simsboro aquifer part of the carrizowilcox aquifer in milam county since 1998. Each book explores the geography, history, and people that give the featured city its distinctive flair. Analysis of data from testwell sites along the downdip limit of freshwater in the edwards aquifer, san antonio, texas, 198587. Conceptual model of the hydrogeology of the san antonio segment of the edwards aquifer subdivided into kinney, uvalde, and san antonio pools where m amsl indicates meters above mean sea level. Daily high level historical data can be downloaded in csv format using the following links. Permits for existing users are determined by maximum historical use, taking. The san antonio segment of the edwards balcones fault zone aquifer of southcentral texas is one of the most important and prolific karst aquifers in the united states. Mar 04, 2014 as of last week, the aquifer level was at 640.
Edwards aquifer, the primary water source for the san antonio area and. Carbonate geology and hydrology of the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area, texas by r. San antonio creek valley water resources usgs ca water. It is the primary water source for the growing city of san antonio and its surrounding. As long as enough hydraulic pressure exists to force water up of the level of. Situated in the witte museums feik family pavilion is a mural made of tiles that depicts a section of a 1764 map created for capt. Water level, borehole geophysical log, and waterquality data from wells transecting the freshwatersalinewater interface of the san antonio segment of the edwards aquifer, southcentral texas description and evaluation of numerical groundwater flow models for the edwards aquifer, southcentral texas. The austinsan antonio weather forecast office will update our drought information statement and brochure as needed when widespread impacts are occurring across a large area. Developers bypass aquifer limits an obscure state law written for real estate developers drastically weakened city ordinances designed to protect the edwards aquifer from urban sprawl when dallas development firm encore multifamily began eyeing properties for a new apartment complex in the san antonio area, the busy u. Location of hydrogeologic sections through the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area, texas 7. The management of the edwards aquifer has been discussed on an ongoing basis for many years and continues to be a topic of discussion in the san antonio region, as well as other.
Permeability of the edwards aquifer is greatest in particular strata lithofacies which have. In san antonio, there are many edwards wells all over the city where water is pumped. See more ideas about educational videos, field day and critical period. The city was for most of its history the capital of the spanish, later mexican, province of tejas. The edwards underneath san antonio is at 653 feet above sea level, 16. San antonio tolerated and even regulated prostitution by requiring women to undergo periodic physical exams. Water level data are used for many purposes, including as criteria for determining when to impose groundwater. The highest the aquifer has ever reached is 703 feet in 1992. Just west of highways 183 and 59 6 looking upstream from bridge 7 july 2002 flooding near goliad state park 8 july 2002 flooding looking from bridge 9. Through the three months of summer, san antonio saw 41 days in tripledigit temperatures, 11 record. Edwards aquifer authority historical water level chart edwards. Founded as a spanish mission and colonial outpost in 1718, the city became the first chartered civil. May 14, 2008 san antonio current works for you, and your support is essential.
The western portion of the san antonio segment has not been investigated as extensively as other portions of the edwards aquifer, and, as a result, the. San antonio history matrix university of texas at san. Water level data are critical for eaas management of the san antonio pool and the uvalde pool of the edwards aquifer. Water levels are measured around the clock using different devices monitoring wells throughout the aquifer. The aquifer is hydrologically separated into the austin and san antonio.
It could take years for states aquifers to fill san. As the water level declines, flow from each hole decreases until the lower edge of each downward hole is reached, and then flow ceases. You can learn more about how important water is to all of us. Opponents of a zoning ordinance submitted a sufficient number of signatures on a petition seeking the repeal of a zoning ordinance. San antonio approves historic water project the texas tribune. Stage 3 restrictions may begin when the 10day rolling average of the edwards aquifer level drops to 640 feet mean sea level at the monitored well. Photos 1 july 2002 flooding between highways 59 adn 239 2 july 2002 flooding inundated area 3 bridge over river 4 july 2002 flooding near highway 183 5 july 2002 flooding. May 25, 2015 the missions follow the san antonio river and were supposedly a days mule ride apart. Edwards aquifer authority home edwards aquifer authority.
The eaa determines on october 1 of each year if the aquifer has declined to a level at or below 193. It is on a major edwards flowpath and responds quickly to pumpage and recharge, so it has been used for many decades to record changes in the level of the aquifer in the san. Extending from kinney county west to hays county northeast, it is the primary source of water for the municipal and agricultural communities surrounding the greater san. Houston a historic drought has depleted texas aquifers to lows rarely seen since 1948, and it could take months or even years for the groundwater supplies to fully recharge, scientists. It is one of the greatest natural resources on earth, serving the diverse agricultural, industrial, recreational, and domestic needs of almost two million users in south central texas. San antonio pool of the edwards balcones fault zone aquifer. Simulation of flow in the edwards aquifer, san antonio region. Provisional data may be inaccurate due to instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. For example, since the ground level at j17 measures 730. Aquifer levels sinking fast san antonio expressnews. Karstification ofthe rocks on the san marcos platform during cretaceous time enhanced the permeability of the aquifer.
Located on the eastern edge of the edwards plateau in the u. At that time, san antonio left its own trigger levels in place. Geology and history in the san antonio area of texas. Homepage of agua, a nonprofit environmental action organization protecting san antonio s primary drinking water source, the edwards aquifer. Weather forecast for san antonio, texas, live radar, satellite, severe weather alerts, hour by hour and 7 day forecast temperatures and hurricane tracking from ksat weather authority and. Features include a canopy level bridge overlook, beautiful forested canyon bottoms, hillside vistas, and restored grasslands.
Headwaters of the san antonio river san antonio tourist. The basin has a similar depositional history as that of the south texas region. The idea behind western water is that large water supplies could be piped towards san antonio from edwards aquifer pools west of the knippa gap without having much impact on the j17 index well in san antonio or flows at comal and san marcos springs, thereby protecting endangered species and. In addition, the edwards aquifer feeds the comal and san marcos springs, provides springflow. Marys are two of the first esports programs in the alamo city. Geology and history in the san antonio area of texas thomas e. Developers bypass aquifer limits san antonio expressnews.
Meanwhile, the edwards aquifer authority has projected the level of the edwards, san antonios primary water source, could drop below a 10day average this week of 630 feet above sea level. The rocks of the san marcos plat form form the most transmissive part of the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area. Geological survey this report was prepared by the u. In june, the aquifer reached its yearly peak near 685 feet. The san antonio river is dammed to form two artificial reservoirs in the san antonio area. The geological composition and history of the edwards aquifer provides for a complex groundwater flow system. Historical water budgets for the san antonio creek valley have indicated that infiltration from streamflow during ephemeral winter runoff events is a major source of recharge to the groundwater system martin, 1984. San antonio grew to become the largest spanish settlement in texas. Major faults of the balcones fault zone and relation to the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area, texas 5. American cities takes young readers on a tour of our capitals and major centers.
Features include a canopy level bridge overlook, beautiful forested canyon bottoms, hillside vistas, and restored. Waterlevel, borehole geophysical log, and waterquality data from wells transecting the freshwatersalinewater interface of the san antonio segment of the edwards aquifer, southcentral texas description and evaluation of numerical groundwater flow. Management evaluation model for the edwards aquifer. The 200 acre preserve features level 1 ada trails and level 4 hiking trails through a variety of habitats.
Sep 10, 2019 the san antonio segment of the edwards aquifer has been further delineated into two pools, the san antonio pool and the uvalde pool, for water management purposes texas senate bill 1477, 1993. Crown ridge canyon natural area is the first natural area developed as part of the edwards aquifer protection initiative. Carbonate geology and hydrology of the edwards aquifer in. Aquifer storage is correlated with water levels recorded in the j 17 bexar. The edwards aquifer in the san antonio region, which has been designated by the u. The edwards aquifer is a unique groundwater system and one of the most prolific artesian aquifers in the world. This sixteen page pamphlet covers the citys sex industry in its heyday when it was located just south of market square. Geological survey under cooperative agreement with the san antonio city water board and the texas water development board november 1986. A poorly defined groundwater divide in hays county hydrologically separates the aquifer into the san antonio and austin regions.
Edwards aquifer authority historical data edwards aquifer authority. Water quality is generally good northeast of the san antonio river basin, but deteriorates to the southwest. The edwards aquifer authority is a groundwater district, mandated by the 1993 edwards. Carbonate geology and hydrology of the edwards aquifer in the.
In the 2010s, in addition to its original downtown section, the passage included the museum reach, which extended through more of san antonios top attractionsincluding brackenridge park, the zoo, the pearl district and three museumsand the mission. Homepage of agua, a nonprofit environmental action organization protecting san antonios primary drinking water source, the edwards aquifer. The book, dedicated to educating readers on the complex aquifer system. Did you know that san antonio was built on top of the edwards aquifer.
The rocks of the san marcos platform predominantly are micrites that locally contain collapse breccias, honeycombed, burrowed mudstones, and rudist reef deposits that are well leached and very permeable. The sisters have named this segment the spirit reach. After the failure of spanish missions to the north of the city, san antonio became the farthest northeastern extension of the hispanic culture of the valley of mexico. The other reservoir, lake blue wing, ten miles south of san antonio, has a capacity of 1,000 acrefeet and is used for. The distribution of population over the edwards aquifer and accompanying development of the land surface have created a variety of land uses. Citys history tied to its water sources san antonio expressnews.
Helen and i agreed that sole reliance on the edwards aquifer is. Similarly, groundwater discharge to barka slough is the major natural discharge from the basin and is critical for maintaining riparian wetland habitat. Mar 22, 2020 watch educational videos geared towards different age groups explaining features of the edwards aquifer. Coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger. News, maps, information and action alerts pertaining to environmental and aquifer protection. San antonio, comal, and san marcos springs are examples of the holes in the bucket and are also the sources of rivers of the same name, all of which. The missions follow the san antonio river and were supposedly a days mule ride apart. The san antonio water system saws has been trying to import groundwater from the simsboro aquifer part of the carrizowilcox aquifer in milam county since 1998. According to signage on site, the san antonio river begins a little south of the blue hole, which is often dry because of ongoing drought. San antonio says more housing, rent relief is available for those seeking it. The city of san antonio official city website home. The edwards aquifer authority eaa was established in 1996 after lawsuits. September 20 newsletter march 20 newsletter news and updates conservation advisory board dr. One near the head of the stream, impounded by olmos dam, has a capacity of 15,500 acrefeet and is used solely for flood control.
Generalized structural surface of the top of the edwards aquifer in the san antonio area, texas 6. At current pumping levels, a similar drought today could result in complete cessation of flow at comal. Map showing location of san antonio region, physiographic regions, and. The austin san antonio weather forecast office will update our drought information statement and brochure as needed when widespread impacts are occurring across a large area. If you are located in williamson, travis, or hays county, call the tceq s austin regional office at 512 3392929. If this condition exists, program participants must suspend withdrawals for the following calendar year, beginning january 1.
In her wellresearched history of san pedro springs park, cornelia a. Similarly, groundwater discharge to barka slough is the major natural discharge from the basin and is critical for maintaining. The citys conservation successes have been touted on the national level. A lifelong resident of san antonio, cameron is an energetic and creative attorney, businessperson, and philanthropist.
The idea behind western water is that large water supplies could be piped towards san antonio from edwards aquifer pools west of the knippa gap without having much impact on the j17 index well in san antonio or flows at comal and san marcos springs, thereby protecting endangered species and their habitats. The dry frio river recharges the edwards aquifer in close proximity with, and downgradient to, the knippa gap. Additional resources for monitoring local and national drought conditions and its impacts also can be found on this page. The h 2 o heroes have even picked out some of their favorite books for you to read. San antonio river walk paseo del rio the handbook of. What became the thirdhottest summer in san antonios history is finally over and in the books. San antonio area barton creekonion creekbasin maftcos springs 0 10 20 30 40 kilometers figure 1. Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you highquality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of san antonio. When the eaa declared a stage i in the summer of 2008, that strategy indeed worked. For help in comal, bexar, medina, uvalde, or kinney county, call tceq s san antonio regional office at 210 4903096.
773 574 5 1667 1225 796 363 305 1564 637 124 826 1607 88 323 1396 14 94 1298 1074 1444 704 621 679 97 1636 718 974 184 108 1040 695 214 456 677 841 1429 596 1358