NewsDrop-March-April-2026

14 TH YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION

The EAHCP STEPS INTO ITS

ISSUE 2 - MARCH/APRIL 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

W A T C H EAA BOARD MEETING ON FACEBOOK LIVE:

EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY (EAC)

EAA GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE OUR MISSION TO MANAGE, ENHANCE AND PROTECT THE EDWARDS AQUIFER Derived from our enabling statute, the EAA Act.

AQUIFER UPDATE

MILES WELL-TRAVELED How the EAC Provides Bus Transportation Grants in Support of Aquifer Education.

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EDWARDS AQUIFER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN 2025 WAS THE 13 TH YEAR OF EAHCP IMPLEMENTATION The EAHCP is a regional program that seeks to manage and protect aquatic habitat...

PAGE 14 EAA EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER GROWING RESILIENCE Time to Get Outside at the EOC.

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EXTERNAL AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS ALONG THE ARTESIAN ZONE OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER Water wells are subject to unique

geologic conditions. PAGE 8

An aquifer conditions update is reported every month at the EAA board meeting to inform board members and the public about the status of the J-17 Index Well, J-27 Index Well, the Comal Springs and the San Marcos Springs springflows.

These index wells and springs are indicators of the health of the aquifer and critical to drought management.

EAA OUTREACH WHERE IMPACT RUNS DEEP How community investment yields lasting outcomes.

AQUIFER SCIENCE EAA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience.

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The EAA board meeting takes place every second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. You can watch the meetings on Facebook Live or click the link below:

The EAHCP is a regional program that protects aquatic habitat for endangered species in the Comal and San Marcos springs systems while ensuring the sustainable, long-term use of the Edwards Aquifer for permitted users. COVER: 2

https://edwardsaquifer.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

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GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

By: Roland Ruiz General Manager

OUR MISSION TO MANAGE , ENHANCE AND PROTECT THE EDWARDS AQUIFER SYSTEM

IS DERIVED FROM OUR ENABLING STATUTE, THE EAA ACT.

IN 1993, t hat legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1477 articulated a clear directive as to how we were to control use of the aquifer, and why. This is what the legislature said in its findings and declaration of policy:

“The legislature finds that the Edwards Aquifer is a unique and complex hydrological system, with diverse economic and social interests dependent on the aquifer for water supply. In keeping with that finding, the Edwards Aquifer is declared to be a distinctive natural resource in this state, and unique aquifer, and not an underground stream. To sustain these diverse interests and the natural resource, a special regional management district is required for the effective control of the resource to protect terrestrial and aquatic life, domestic and municipal water supplies, the operation of existing industries, and the economic development of the state. Use of water in the district for beneficial purposes requires that all reasonable measures be taken to be conservative in water use.”

In this issue of the NewsDrop, as in every issue we publish, you see highlights of our mission at work carried out by various people in various ways and places. These snapshots help illustrate how our work has evolved over three decades and, more importantly, how it continues to make a positive impact for the people who rely on the aquifer for their water supply.

Today, these words are demonstrated in our daily work. And the effects of this collective body of work is evident in the sustainability of the aquifer itself and the waters that emanate from it through wells for human use and through the Comal and San Marcos springs for protected species habitats. In this way, we manage, enhance and protect in a balanced approach for the benefit of all users and uses of the aquifer – domestic, municipal, agricultural, industrial supplies as well as environmental obligations under federal law. As a result, the region has become more drought resilient, is able to plan water supplies appropriately for a growing population and can better anticipate and prepare for an uncertain climate in the future.

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EDWARDS AQUIFER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (EAHCP)

By: Kristina Tolman Senior HCP Coordinator

2025 EAHCP OVERVIEW

The EAHCP is a regional program that protects aquatic habitat for endangered species in the Comal and San Marcos springs systems while ensuring the sustainable, long-term use of the Edwards Aquifer for permitted users. visit: www.eahcprenewal.org

2025 was the 13th year of EAHCP implementation and the third consecutive year of extreme drought conditions. Drought conditions reduced springflow in the Comal Springs system to a low of 48 cubic feet per second (cfs) in May, among the lowest observed flow since the 1950’s, also known as the region’s Drought of Record. The decreased springflow caused major Spring Runs 1, 2, and 3 to temporarily go dry in the Comal Springs system and significantly reduced available wetted habitat. THE EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN MAY TRIGGERED A LOW-FLOW MONITORING EVENT AND THE USFWS PERFORMED THE FIRST EVER “SALVAGE” EVENT OF THE ENDANGERED FOUNTAIN DARTER FISH IN THE COMAL SYSTEM. In late May, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Refugia staff captured hundreds of fountain darters to protect the genetic diversity of the wild population in case springflow decreased further or stopped flowing.

The salvaged fountain darters were temporarily housed at the San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center until springflow conditions improved and the wild population was reintroduced back into the system in October. The Comal Springs system not only suffered extreme low-flow conditions in May, but also extreme flooding on June 12, 2025, when stormwater increased the flow above 6,000 cfs and then again above 1,000 cfs on July 5th and 7th. The extreme flooding dislodged a large portion of the bryophytes, or non-rooted aquatic vegetation preferred by the fountain darters, in Landa Lake and the Comal Springs system. Therefore, fountain darter habitat was not only adversely impacted and reduced by the extreme drought conditions in May but also the flooding conditions in June and July. Comal invertebrates, including the Comal Springs riffle beetle, Comal Springs dryopid beetle, and the Peck’s cave amphipod, had some of the highest calculated annual disturbances in 2025 compared to years prior due to the reduced available habitat in the major Spring Runs (1, 2, and 3), Western Shoreline, and Spring Island. The flooding in June and July temporarily improved springflow conditions, yet flow continued to decline into fall and ended the year at well below average conditions. Routine biological monitoring occurred in spring and fall, while additional low-flow monitoring occurred in

January, May and July to assess the impacts of the drought conditions as well as the flooding impacts in June and July. Historically, Comal Springs are the largest spring system in the State of Texas and San Marcos is generally the second largest; however, San Marcos springflow surpassed Comal springflow for much of the year and stabilized around 80 cfs, still well below historic average conditions. San Marcos aquatic habitat was impacted by reduced flows and exposed habitat, yet overall, the disturbance was lower than anticipated. The occurrence of bryophytes, or preferred habitat of the fountain darter, increased in areas previously not found, improving fountain darter densities in select river reaches. San Marcos salamander long-term biological goal densities were achieved in two of the three monitoring reaches and Texas wild-rice coverage was approximately 12,586 meters 2 , above the long-term biological goal coverage. In 2025, the City of San Marcos implemented new methods of managing and reducing the impacts from aquatic recreation through enforcement of the new reusable beverage container ordinance, temporarily fencing and monitoring access points around Rio Vista Park-the busiest riverfront park during the summer, and implementing new paid parking at the City Park

Comal Habitat Evaluation: Water flowing over the weir dam in the New Channel at 70 cfs (March 19th).

USFWS staff reintroducing fountain darters back into the Comal Springs system in October 2025.

riverfront park. Texas State University installed new educational signage in Sewell Park and above Sewell Park, and installed new permanent fencing above Sewell Park, near Kerby Lane. The newly fenced area still allows public access but provides Texas State University with the option to close or restrict public access to this sensitive area, if needed, thus protecting critical habitat for the fountain darter, Texas wild-rice, and the San Marcos salamander. The Permit Renewal team, through coordination and input from the five Permittees, EAHCP Staff, EAHCP Committees, and USFWS staff, completed

three memoranda summarizing recommended changes related to the Conservation Measures, Take Assessment Framework, and Monitoring and Adaptive Management Framework. Recommended changes to the Conservation Measures expanded upon changes proposed by the Conservation Measures Subcommittee Work Group in 2024 and include changes to the Springflow Protection measures framework, combining and restructuring of the San Marcos Habitat Protection measures and revisions to the Measures that Contribute to Recovery. Take Assessment Framework changes include shifting from a species-approach (estimated

number of individuals) to a comprehensive habitat based approach. All three memoranda are available on the Permit Renewal website. The government shutdown in the fall of 2025 temporarily suspended Permit Renewal coordination activities with USFWS causing some scheduling delays for finalizing certain recommended changes and release of the new draft HCP. 2026 Permit Renewal activities will include finalizing a Cost and Funding memorandum as well as refining the chapter content of the new draft HCP.

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EXTERNAL AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

By: Laurel Torres Groundwater Regulation Manager

WATER DISCHARGE

OF THE EDWARDS AQUIFER ARTESIAN ZONE Along the

THE EDWARDS AQUIFER DIPS DEEP UNDERGROUND, CAUSING HIGH PRESSURE BETWEEN ITS CONFINING UNITS. THE RESULT?

Drill an aquifer well, and groundwater pushes upwards, beyond the aquifer’s confines. When groundwater rises all the way to the surface, the well is known as a “flowing artesian well”. While there may not be an “Old Faithful” erupting from the aquifer today; staff still encounter some flowing artesian wells in the EAA’s jurisdiction, which remain problematic. When not properly constructed or maintained, groundwater can escape the well, causing water waste from this resource we depend on.

EAA staff work to address such wells through our Abandoned Wells Program. Since 2020, the program has played a significant role in locating and cataloging flowing wells. The Team has effectuated, through outreach and compliance efforts, the plugging of 17 flowing artesian wells. These wells are considered a leak in the Edwards Aquifer system, and stopping the leak is just one of many ways EAA staff work to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer.

FLOWING WELLS

WATER WELLS ARE SUBJECT TO UNIQUE GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS

photo: W111-347 City of San Antonio - City Public Service (CPS) dba CPS Energy

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AQUIFER SCIENCE

By: Rebecca Nunu Principal Geoscientist

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY THE EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY (EAA) TO GAIN REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

while exploring careers in science, engineering, communications, policy, and other water-resource fields.

Former interns Maddison Orquiz, Sue Ellen Gibbs-Huerta, and Erica Martinez at the weir they helped build at the Field Research Park.

By working alongside staff mentors, interns build practical skills, deepen their understanding of the aquifer system, and see firsthand how science informs water stewardship in our region. One recent group of Aquifer Science interns led a standout project at EAA’s Field Research Park (EAA FRP), where they developed and implemented an atmospheric deposition monitoring effort from concept to completion. After researching best practices, the interns designed a site-specific sampling approach, installed collection equipment, and established procedures for ongoing monitoring and analysis at EAA Each semester, interns join teams across the organization and contribute to meaningful projects that support the EAA’s mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer.

Former intern Paulina Quinonez setting up cables for geophysical measurements at the Field Research Park.

Current intern Abby Doderer processing samples from Project SCAR to calculate total suspending solids.

Laboratory as part of Project Sustainable Channel Restoration and Assessment (SCAR), and helping build a weir to support our hydrologic monitoring. These experiences allow interns to apply classroom knowledge, develop technical confidence, and directly support our ongoing aquifer research efforts. Through its internship program, EAA invests in the next generation of water professionals while advancing its mission-driven work. Interns leave with valuable experience, mentorship, and a deeper connection to the Edwards Aquifer, which prepares them to contribute to sustainable water resource management in Texas and beyond.

FRP. The project strengthens EAA’s ability to track airborne inputs (such as nitrates) into the aquifer. This project highlights the lasting impact interns can have on EAA science initiatives. Aquifer Science interns also contribute to field and laboratory efforts. Recent work has included assisting with geophysical data collection at the EAA FRP, designing a method to analytically measure total suspended solids in EAA’s Camden

Former intern Paulina Quinonez next to the atmospheric deposition station at the EAA Field Research Park.

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EDWARDS AQUIFER CONSERVANCY

to the EAA Education Outreach Center, more information can be found at www.eaaeoc.org. Applications for the bus transportation program are also available on the website. BOOK A FIELD TRIP

TOWARDS THE BUS IN CONTRIBUTING INTERESTED TRANSPORTATION FUND? CONTACT US AT: EAC@edwardsaquifer.org.

By: Sara Beesley EAA Chief Development Officer

SUPPORTING THE EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY WHEN YOUTH UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AROUND THEM, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT IT. WELL - TRAVELED species aquarium, native plant demonstration garden, and are committed to educating the next generation by creating aquifer stewards. One of the ways the EAC supports this effort is by providing bus transportation grants to the EAA EOC. Since 2023, over 4,000 students visited the EOC with the help of a bus transportation grant. The EAC provides transportation grants to schools within the EAA jurisdiction, the portion of the Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer that provides water to over 2.5 million people and covers more than 8,000 square miles across eight counties. These include all of Uvalde, Medina, and Bexar counties as well as parts of Atascosa, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal, and Hays counties. The students that visit the EOC are from across the entire region. The EAC works with key partners to provide the transportation grants. In 2025, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and Laguna Water Supply donated funds towards the bus transportation program. SAWS collaborates with several water education partners in the region to encourage water stewardship for the next generation. According to their website, “A knowledgeable, skilled, and active youth citizenry is a key to resolving the environmental issues today and in the future,” a philosophy the EAA and EAC align with. By educating students about the Edwards Aquifer system, the EAA EOC is creating aquifer stewards, who take the knowledge they learn at the education center and pass it on to others.

HOW THE EAC PROVIDES BUS TRANSPORTATION GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF AQUIFER EDUCATION Miles

The Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC) supports the EAA in their mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer system, including their commitment to educate the community about the aquifer as a precious resource. The EAA Education Outreach Center, or the EAA EOC, provides free school programs and offers interactive exhibits, endangered

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EAA EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER

By: EAA EOC Staff

Growing Resilience: TIME TO GET OUTSIDE AT THE EOC

Spring is the perfect time to step outside and explore. the Edwards Aquifer Authority Education Outreach Center (EOC) offers plenty of opportunities to do just that. As warmer temperatures arrive and plants begin to bloom, the outdoor spaces around the EOC come alive with activity, learning, and discovery. The Aquifer Scavenger Hunt was originally designed to help students slow down and truly see the natural world around them. It’s not uncommon to hear students say, “There’s nothing there,” when they first step outside. But with a list in hand, searching for pollinators, native plants, and wildlife quickly becomes a game—and a springtime adventure that reveals just how much is happening all around them. As the season unfolds, visitors will find both new features and familiar favorites waiting just beyond the doors of the EOC.

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EAA EDUCATION OUTREACH CENTER

Native Grasses: SPRING GROWTH WITH PURPOSE Spring growth is on full display in the EOC’s native grass beds. Grasses play a vital role in soil stability, groundwater recharge, and habitat creation—all while thriving in Texas conditions. The EOC currently features Buffalograss and Little Bluestem within its native grass demonstration plots. Buffalograss greens up quickly in warmer weather and requires minimal irrigation, making it a water-wise alternative to traditional lawns. Little Bluestem grows in upright clumps with deep roots that improve soil structure, help rainwater soak into the ground, and provide food and shelter for birds and insects. EOC staff and volunteers, including Texas Master Naturalist John Williams, are expanding these displays with additional species such as Sideoats Grama, the official State Grass of Texas.

Old Favorites in Full Bloom Spring also brings new life to some of the EOC’s most loved outdoor spaces. The award winning Native Plant Demonstration Garden is especially vibrant at this time of year, showcasing plants native to the Edwards Aquifer region in various stages of bloom. Visitors can observe pollinators at work, learn plant names, and gather inspiration for beautiful, resilient, and water-wise landscaping. The Wildlife Viewing Area remains a favorite spring stop, offering a quiet place to observe birds and other wildlife as they become more active during the season. Students and visitors alike have observed the Northern Cardinal, Black crested Titmouse, Bewick’s Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, Barn Swallow, Painted Bunting, Lessor Goldfinch, Eastern Phoebe, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and the Northern Mocking Bird (which is the state bird of Texas) just to name a few. Such an abundant and diverse amount of activity is a signal for how an ecosystem can thrive. Just a short distance away, the Pavilion at the EAA Field Research Park (FRP) continues to serve as a shaded gathering space for group programs, guided hikes, small group activities, and hands-on learning. With mild spring temperatures, the pavilion is an ideal outdoor classroom allowing for students to be immersed in nature. Such a unique experience can be impactful on young students learning to have an appreciation for conservation. tips about how composting supports healthy soil and thriving gardens. Even more outdoor signage is planned, giving visitors new ways to learn while enjoying the spring weather. Learn as You Stroll Spring is an ideal time for self-guided exploration, and several new outdoor posters and infographics now support learning along the paths surrounding the EOC. One highlights native plants found in the Native Plant Demonstration Garden, complete with illustrations, scientific names, and fun facts. Another provides Gardening and Landscape Tips that visitors can take home to create water-wise landscapes of their own. Near the Wildlife Viewing Area—designed to resemble a bird blind—visitors can spot birds while referencing a poster featuring common species seen on the grounds. A new composting poster near the EOC compost pile gives

By: EAA EOC Staff

Spring in Action: LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT

where visitors can explore, observe, and connect with nature. Whether discovering something new or revisiting a favorite spot, there’s no better time to step outside and see how small choices in landscaping and design can make a big difference for our aquifer. AS SPRING INVITES US OUTDOORS, THE EOC’S GROUNDS OFFER a living classroom

Right at the front of the EOC, visitors will notice a pervious paver parking area water-smart design. This space serves as a cover for the EAA Express shuttle, a welcome and staging space an orientation spot for school groups stepping off their bus. and a gathering spot for visitors. Pervious surfaces allow rainwater to pass through and soak slowly into the ground, slowing rainwater runoff which reduces erosion and helps replenish groundwater during spring rains. Gardens, native plant cover, and permeable pavement all contribute to healthier ecosystems and improved water quality. increase the speed at which stormwater enters streams that can cause flooding and pollution issues. Pollutants can be extra sediments like soil that need to stay on land, thermal pollution that is caused by stormwater moving across warm pavements, chemicals used on lawns from fertilizers and pesticides, litter and more. By using low impact development around your home, you can help decrease your impact on the environment. In contrast, impervious surfaces like roads and sidewalks found in cities can decrease water quality,

If you’re interested in becoming part of the EOC Volunteer Team, visit our website at eaaeoc.org under the “Donate” tab to learn more. We would love to have you join us!

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EOC Hours: The EOC is open Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM. Admission is free.

Book your school field trip, group tour, or self-guided visit today at: eaaeoc.org

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EAA OUTREACH

RUNS DEEP WHERE IMPACT

By: Nikki Young EAA Senior Community Engagement Administrator

HOW COMMUNITY INVESTMENT YIELDS LASTING OUTCOMES

AT THE EDWARDS AQUIFER AUTHORITY, IT’S MEASURED IN OUTCOMES. A native plant placed in the ground reduces irrigation demand. A student introduced to water sampling gains a clearer understanding of how groundwater is managed. A conversation at a community event can connect people with aquifer science, clarify permitting regulations, and offer guidance on procurement and doing business with the EAA. Individually, these actions are small. Together, they shape how the aquifer is understood, valued, and sustained. Outreach is often measured in attendance.

At its core, outreach is an intentional investment in our community — advancing our mission to manage, enhance, and protect the Edwards Aquifer by strengthening knowledge, shifting habits, and guiding long term decisions. When native plants are distributed across the region, water savings accumulate. Reduced runoff improves water quality. Healthier soil strengthens landscapes and expands habitat. What begins as a simple action becomes measurable conservation. When students participate in hands-on demonstrations, they encounter real world science and STEAM career pathways. That exposure helps shape the next generation of landowners, farmers, engineers, and civic leaders who will influence water use for decades.

Community resource fairs, conferences, and public events extend that impact, reinforcing responsible water practices, broadening inclusion in conservation efforts, and connecting nature-based solutions with advancing technology. Innovation and imagination translate complex groundwater science into practical understanding. OUTREACH DOES NOT END WHEN AN EVENT CONCLUDES. ITS OUTCOMES CONTINUE IN BACKYARDS, CLASSROOMS,

WORKPLACES, AND DAILY DECISIONS. Impact runs deep because it is built one action at a time.

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1 1 1 x Reduced irrigation x Lower water demand x Healthier soil and habitat x Stronger conservation across the region x Hands-on science x STEAM career awareness x Informed future decisions x The next generation of water stewards NATIVE PLANT X X STUDENT EXPERIENCE

x Access to aquifer science x Clarity on permitting regulations and procurement x Confident water and business decisions x Responsible development across the region

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Charge up your knowledge on all things Edwards Aquifer from the EAA. TUNE IN

The Recharge Zone Podcast is the official podcast for the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA), a groundwater district, which protects the portion of the Balcones Fault Zone Edwards Aquifer – a jurisdictional area that provides water to over 2.5 million South Central Texans and covers more than 8,000 square miles across 8 counties!

You can listen to this podcast everywhere podcasts are available. Catch the Aquifer In-Sight Series on our YouTube channel.

[ view here ]

The mission of the EAA is to Manage, Enhance, and Protect the Edwards Aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer Authority is a regional water management agency that regulates with integrity, transparency, respect, and commitment to sustainability of the aquifer. BOUT US A NewsDrop is a production of the EAA Communications and Engagement Department with helpful assistance from EAA Staff.

Visit our website to listen to the newest podcast episode: https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/news/

Edwards Aquifer Authority 900 E Quincy St • San Antonio, TX, 78215 www.edwardsaquifer.org