Dry Comal Creek and Comal River: Implementing a Watershed Protection Plan
Several grant-supported projects implemented best management practices to reduce pollutant loadings from urban wildlife and stormwater.
On this page:
Project Area
River Basin: Guadalupe
Water Bodies: Dry Comal Creek (1811A) and Comal River (1811)
Location: Comal County
Background
The confluence of the Comal River and its tributary, Dry Comal Creek, are in the City of New Braunfels. Since 2010, Dry Comal Creek has not met all water quality standards for primary contact recreation due to high bacteria concentrations. The City of New Braunfels and stakeholders developed the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accepted in 2018. The WPP identifies management measures that can be implemented to reduce bacteria from various nonpoint sources. The City of New Braunfels along with a nonprofit, Headwaters at the Comal, has implemented multiple management measures under several grant-supported projects.
Back to topProject Descriptions
September 2022 – August 2026
Headwaters at the Comal constructed structural best management practices and installed educational signage promoting green infrastructure. Headwaters at the Comal also promoted green infrastructure practices with an education program. Through on-site field trips, workshops, and community events, Headwaters at Comal provided education resources which engaged multiple age ranges of residents and land developers in green infrastructure development techniques.
September 2021 – February 2026
The City of New Braunfels continued WPP implementation activities initiated during the previous project. Activities included promoting the Do-Not-Feed Urban Wildlife Ordinance, installing and maintaining additional pet waste stations, securing a professional cleanup service to pick up animal waste, conducting educational programs, and holding stakeholder meetings.
The City of New Braunfels also constructed three structural best management practices and will monitor stormwater quality at the sites in the future to evaluate the effectiveness of the management measures in reducing pollutants.
September 2018 – August 2022
The City of New Braunfels implemented wildlife management strategies, stormwater infrastructure, and assisted with septic system management strategies. In addition to promoting the Do-Not-Feed Urban Wildlife Ordinance, which became effective in March 2019, the City of New Braunfels installed educational signage, installed and maintained pet waste stations, and conducted septic system maintenance trainings in addition to urban wildlife workshops with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The City of New Braunfels evaluated the effectiveness of stormwater controls, tracked and analyzed wastewater discharge data submitted to TCEQ by permit holders, tracked new permits, and analyzed stormwater data. New Braunfels held regular stakeholder meetings and provided educational information through news outlets, local television stations, and at community events.
For More Information
City of New Braunfels Watershed Protection Planning webpage
Headwaters at the Comal webpage
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or email us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.