Cypress Creek: Watershed Protection Plan Implementation
Texas State University’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment performed low impact development activities and conducted education and outreach programs as part of implementing the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan.
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Project Area
River Basin: Guadalupe
Water Body: Cypress Creek (1815)
Location: City of Wimberley
Background
Cypress Creek originates in western Hays County and flows into the Blanco River. Jacob's Well, an artesian spring, contributes perennial flow to Cypress Creek. Flow from the spring is critical for maintaining adequate dissolved oxygen levels in the creek.
Although Cypress Creek meets all state water quality standards, local stakeholders were concerned that urbanization in the watershed would negatively impact water quality. Stakeholders were specifically concerned about a loss of flow from Jacob's Well and increase in bacteria and nutrient levels in Cypress Creek. In 2010, stakeholders developed the Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accepted in 2015.
To minimize nonpoint source pollution, the WPP identifies best management practices that implement low impact development (LID) such as rain gardens and rainwater harvesting systems to control stormwater and reduce pollutants entering the waterways.
Back to topProject Descriptions
August 2016 – February 2020
Texas State University’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment (Meadows Center) implemented years one through three of the Cypress Creek WPP implementation schedule. They reviewed the effectiveness of city and county ordinances in protecting and improving water quality and recommended ordinance updates and future projects to improve stormwater quality.
Meadows Center installed four rainwater harvesting systems and four permeable pavement sites to demonstrate the effectiveness of LID at reducing nonpoint source pollution in stormwater. They also established an accelerated review process of development proposals to increase LID implementation and provided technical assistance in reviews. Meadows Center and the stakeholder committee reviewed the project’s progress annually and updated the WPP to incorporate recommended changes.
December 2019 – August 2023
Meadows Center implemented years four through six of the Cypress Creek WPP implementation schedule. They conducted a watershed wide education and outreach program in coordination with the watershed executive and stakeholder committees. This program included seven targeted community workshops, a speaker series, signage for sensitive areas, digital newsletters, and project website updates. Another WPP update was completed at the end of the project.
For More Information
Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan webpage
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.