The Medina River below Diversion Lake Watershed Protection Plan was officially published in January, after years of sampling, planning and development. The team of scientists and outreach specialists supporting the plan have now begun implementing it.
The watershed was listed as impaired by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality because for years it has had levels of E.coli above the amount safe for contact recreation, such as swimming, said Mary Michael Zahed, TWRI program specialist leading the WPP implementation. Water monitoring also identified nitrate levels as a concern.
Working to improve the Medina watershed
Zahed said that implementing the plan will begin with education, implementing best management practices and working with stakeholders to find unique solutions.
The rapid urbanization of the area has made unique solutions a key part of the watershed protection plan, she said. The Medina River below Diversion Lake watershed is west of San Antonio and includes land in Bexar, Medina, Atascosa and Bandera counties.
The expansion of San Antonio and movement of people to housing developments in rural areas has required a unique approach from the watershed protection planning team. Part of this approach is anticipating the shift from rural to urban pollution sources, Zahed said.
“As our population grows, so do the associated pollution pressures” she said. “We’re seeing rural sources of pollution projected to decline, while urban sources are increasing and expected to continue rising. That means we must address water quality challenges not only as they exist today, but with future growth in mind.”
The team is developing a special workshop for new landowners moving from the city. By providing resources to aid them in that transition, the team hopes to help them care about the land.
“We can’t just get mad at people for moving out, we have to walk alongside them and help them,” Zahed said.
Bringing people together to protect water resources
The watershed has an active stakeholder group from various backgrounds. A recent meeting had almost 50 people in attendance, including representatives from the local, state and federal government; regional water authorities; nonprofit conservation organizations; private sector engineering and water utility entities; tribal representatives; and local landowners and community leaders.
The eager involvement of stakeholders has made planning and implementation an impassioned community effort. Some local producers are even taking initiative by pursuing regenerative agriculture practices, which help conserve water and reduce pollution.
“I always use this quote by Jane Goodall: ‘Only if we understand will we care, only if we care will we help, and only if we help shall all be saved.’ That’s exactly what watershed protection plans do — they build understanding that leads to action,” Zahed said. “I see that mindset in our stakeholders every day, and it’s been a meaningful process to be part of.”
To learn more about the Medina River below Diversion Lake Watershed Protection Plan…
- view the published plan here
- visit the Medina WPP website
- follow the Medina WPP Facebook page
