Resources

Learn about Kerr County Water by viewing the resources below.

Know Your River Rights

Curious about what’s public and what’s private when it comes to Texas rivers? These two resources help explain it. “If a River Runs Through It, What Law Applies?” breaks down how Texas defines a public waterway and what activities are allowed on it, while the River Access Document focuses on the Guadalupe River, confirming its navigable status and outlining public access rights. Together, they offer a clear, easy way to understand how to enjoy and protect our local waterways responsibly.
Floodplain 101 presentations
Guadalupe River Flood - C. Hastings
TFMA National Floodplain Insurance - M. Wellbaum
History of Texas Floods - C. Steubing
Additional resources
Click here for a one pager full of helpful links from TFMA  
Kerr County Flood Damage Prevention Order (regulations/court order)

 One Water Building Checklist - Hill Country Alliance

Developed to answer the question, "What is a 'One Water' building?" this new resource offers a practical checklist for city and county staff, as well as private developers, to evaluate opportunities for implementing One Water strategies in new buildings. Explore it on our One Water page here.

Riparian Restoration:  resources from the Hill Country Alliance

Using Large Woody Debris
  • Large woody debris helps stabilize the riverbank and channel, promotes new vegetation growth, and provides habitat for fish and other important riparian animal species.
  • As long as you’re staying out of the river channel (i.e. above the ordinary high-water mark), there are a variety of options for landowners to consider how to use woody debris on their property to heal the land without needing any permits. Low brush berms constructed from flood debris can help filter water and support native plant establishment on the floodplain. For best results, ensure that logs and branches are partially buried or secured with stakes or rocks to prevent movement during future floods, and avoid placing debris where it could block the main channel.
  • Hazardous materials like treated wood, plastics, or sharp objects should always be removed. Pairing this method with native riparian plantings and seedings in the fall and winter will accelerate stabilization and create a thriving, resilient riparian corridor.
  • Regular inspections after storm events are recommended to adjust or add materials as needed. By reusing natural materials already on your property, you can restore land and water health and protect your riverbanks in a cost-effective way.
Click here for the handout. 

Existing Resources:

Blanco River Recovery Videos: Publications:

Blanco River Restoration
Massive floods in 2015 destroyed much of the natural habitat along the Blanco River. Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists have been working with landowners along the river to help re-establish trees and grasses, and by educating locals about the importance of managing healthy river ecosystems that are more resilient to the effects of flooding. Find out more about Texas rivers at: https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/wate...

Blanco River - Overview on Flooding and Land Stewardship
This video shares an overview on Blanco River flooding impacts in 2015 and opportunities for more protective Hill Country River land stewardship.

00:00 - Introduction and Challenges
01:58 - Hill Country Overview
02:32 - Using riparian areas to reduce flooding damage
03:21 - How riparian buffers function
04:06 - Why you shouldn't clear your riverbanks
Additional information here: https://hillcountryalliance.org/our-w...

Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it.

The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.

This article is part of Running Out, an occasional series about Texas’ water crisis by The Texas Tribune. Read more stories about the threats facing Texas’ water supply here.

Water Conservation Brochures - Texas Water Development Board

Click here to learn more about resources available from the Texas Water Development Board.  Most brochures are available for sale when larger quantities than the number of free copies are desired.  Most materials are available in packages of 100.  Limitations may be placed on quantities of literature due to availability.

New Hill Country Alliance Resource for Homeowners of the Hill Country

Between 1990 and 2020, the population in unincorporated areas of the Texas Hill Country doubled, with growth expected to continue over the next 20-30 years, leading to increased development, habitat loss, water demand, and light pollution. With recurring droughts, record temperatures, and limited water supplies, preserving natural resources is critical. While counties have limited authority to manage growth, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) can influence residential development through Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) and Landscape Guidelines that promote water conservation, native landscaping, and night-sky-friendly lighting. This guide offers valuable strategies for developers and HOA boards to craft or amend CC&Rs, helping protect the Hill Country’s natural resources and build resilience for future generations.

HGCD keeping an eye on the drought situation

Beginning with this week’s edition of the Hill Country Community Journal the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District’s Drought Index information will be published quarterly in order for Kerr County residents and surrounding communities to view and understand the continuing drought conditions impacting water supplies in the aquifers supplying water to residents of the Hill Country.

Texas Water Specialist Program

Through this program, we want to develop a corps of well-informed volunteer specialists who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of aquatic resources and aquatic habitats within their communities for the state of Texas.
Questions? Please direct them to Melissa Felty, Conservation Education Manager, [email protected] 
Click here for the TPWD flyer.

Private Dams - Understanding the Permitting Process

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen an uptick in new private dams in the Hill Country. These new dams have raised questions from downstream landowners about the process for permitting new dams, and what to do if you discover an unauthorized dam. In this October 2024 webinar, we cover the complex world of dam permitting with the agencies that regulate dams.
Speakers:
  • Beth Bendik, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD)
  • Joe Shelnutt, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Trina Lancaster, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
  • Myron Hess, Lawyer (Presenting on Water Rights with TCEQ)
Learn more at http://hillcountryalliance.org/

Water Data for Texas

Drought Monitor

Kerr County Aquifers

Kerr County Aquifers PowerPoint Presentation by the Texas Water Development Board (November 2023) 

Video Recording: Aquifers 101 Presentation by Sean Boerner at Riverside Nature Center (October 2023)

Texas will soon face driest conditions of last 1,000 years

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Texas' future climate will have drier summers and decreasing water supplies for much of the remainder of the 21st century -- likely resulting in the driest conditions in the last 1,000 years, according to research led by Texas A&M University scientists.
Using the most advanced climate models, the team projected drought conditions and relevant information for stakeholders such as agricultural producers, large surface water suppliers, small groundwater water districts and regional water planning districts.

"A New Kind of Drought", John Nielsen-Gammon (Texas A&M)

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Click to view John Nielsen-Gammon's talk during the Texas Water Research Network 2023 Fall Meeting, organized by the Environmental Science Institute (UT-Austin) focused on "The 2023 Heat Wave and Drought: Causes, Attribution, and Impacts on Major Sectors of Texas"
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The Guadalupe River originates in Western Kerr County, deep in the Texas Hill Country. This beautiful spring fed river is one of the highest rated recreational and scenic rivers in Texas and is Kerr County's central asset.

The Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA) was created as a conservation and reclamation district by the Texas Legislatures in 1939. In short, the mission of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority is to protect the health of the Guadalupe River watershed in Kerr County by managing water quality and water quantity, promoting stewardship, and providing services to support our communities.
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The Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District is part of the Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area and was created by House Bill No. 1463, Chapter 693, Acts of the 72nd Texas Legislature in January 1991. The District was organized to protect the underground water resources of Kerr County. It registers and permits wells drilled in the county and investigates the aquifers to determine appropriate plans for future development.
The Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District (HGCD) mission is to develop, promote, and implement water conservation, augmentation, and management strategies to protect the water resources of the District as a sustainable resource for the benefit of its citizens, economy, and environment.
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