Barton Springs University 2015

Learning at the Springs:

Barton Springs University

Goals of Panel

• Describe Barton Springs University concept• Outline schedule and details of the event• Hear from event presenters about their

Barton Springs University presentations• Get your feedback on how we can help get

your class to the event

Barton Springs University Concept

• Annual event for high school and college students as well as the general public

• Encourage students to consider careers in environmental sustainability and water conservation

• Engage directly with academics and professionals at Barton Springs Pool

Schedule Overview and Ongoing Activities

Splash Exhibit

Learning Sessions

Flow Measurement Demonstration

Posters and Tables

Snorkeling Tours

Live Music

8:30 am

9:00 am

10:00 am

11:00 am

12:00 pm

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

3:00 pm

4:00 pm

Schedule of Sessions  Venue 1: Aquifer

Structure and Function

Venue 2: Edwards Aquifer Biodiversity and Conservation

Venue 3: Barton Springs Water Quality Conditions and Challenges

Venue 4: Water Policy and a Changing Climate

Venue 5: Barton Springs: A Place for Everyone

10:00 am Brian Hunt: Fundamentals of Groundwater and Hydrogeology of the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer

Laurie Dries: Habitat Restoration at Barton Springs

Jennifer Miller: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Marisa Perales, Jennifer Walker, and Luke Metzger: Austin’s Water Future

Kim McKnight: The Jewel of the Violet Crown: A Historical Sketch of Zilker Park

11:00 am Barbara Mahler: Karst:  Welcome to the Twilight Zone of Hydrology

Nathan Bendik: Salamanders of the Springs

Chris Herrington: Barton Springs Water Quality: Current Conditions, Changes over Time, and Future Threats

Christy Muse: Central Texas Water: Challenges, Threats and Solutions

Karen Kocher: Barton Springs: A Place for Everyone

12:00 pm Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James

Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James

Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James

Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James

Keynote: Mayor Steve Adler and Reggie James

1:00 pm Nico Hauwert: Austin’s Underground Frontier

Caitlin Gabor: Stress Response to Urbanization and Invasive Predators in Central Texas Salamanders

Lauren Ross: What the Flush? Wastewater and the Future of Texas Hill Country Creeks and Springs

Raymond Slade: Hydrologic Extremes in Central Texas: Lack of Water Supplies during Drought and Catastrophic Flooding

Gary Perez: The Four Fountain Springs and the River in the Sky

2:00 pm Jean Krejca: Cave Life in Texas

Tim Bonner: Evolutionary Refugia: Edwards Plateau Spring Systems

Brigid Shea and Leslie Pool: How to Keep Barton Springs Clean and Flowing

Jay Banner: Central Texas Water and a Changing Climate

Alison Moore and Mary Helen Specht: Writing at Dobie’s Paisano Ranch on Barton Creek

Aquifer Structure and Function

» Nico Hauwert, Ph.D., P.G., Austin Watershed Protection Department

» Brian Hunt, P.G., Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

» Barbara Mahler, Ph.D., US Geological Survey Texas Water Science Center

Edwards Aquifer Biodiversity and Conservation

» Nathan Bendik, M.S., Austin Watershed Protection Department

» Tim Bonner, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biology, Texas State University

» Laurie Dries, Ph.D., Conservation Biologist

» Caitlin Gabor, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biology, Texas State University

» Jean Krejca, Ph.D., Founder, Zara Environmental

Barton Springs Water Quality Conditions and Challenges

» Chris Herrington, P.E., Austin Watershed Protection Department

» Leslie Pool, Austin City Council, District 7

» Lauren Ross, Ph.D., P.E., Glenrose Engineering

» Brigid Shea, Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 2

Water Policy and a Changing Climate

» Jay Banner, Ph.D., Director, UT Environmental Science Institute

» Luke Metzger, Director, Environment Texas

» Christy Muse, Executive Director, Hill Country Alliance

» Marisa Perales, J.D., Partner, Frederick, Perales, Allmon & Rockwell

» Raymond Slade, P.H., US Geological Survey (retired) and Austin Community College

» Jennifer Walker, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter

Barton Springs: A Place for Everyone

» Karen Kocher, M.F.A., Senior Lecturer, UT Austin

» Kim McKnight, M.S., Austin Parks Department

» Alison Moore, M.F.A., Author and UT Dobie Paisano Fellow

» Gary Perez, Native American Church National Trust

» Mary Helen Specht, Author and UT Dobie Paisano Fellow

» Joe Tellez, P.G., Consultant

Keynote

» Steve Adler, Mayor of Austin

» Reggie James, Director, Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter

Flow Measurement Demonstration

» Robin Gary, M.A., Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District

Chris Herrington, P.E.

“Barton Springs Water Quality: Current Conditions, Changes over Time, and Future Threats”

The Edwards Aquifer

Courtesy of Brian Smith, BSEACD

Recharge and Flow in the Edwards Aquifer

Courtesy of Brian Smith, BSEACD

Recharge to the Edwards Aquifer

Onion Creek

More than half of the recharge occurs within the creeks and rivers

What factor continues to change over time

in the Barton Springs Zone?

Population in the Barton Springs Zone

From CAMPO, US Census Bureau, AMVA

In 2010: 143,000 people 48,000 dogs 54,000 cats

From USGS stormwater sampling

Detection of Synthetic Compounds in Barton Springs

2” rainfall

Residential = 6%Undev/Ag = 87%Open Space = 3%

1995

Residential = 29%Undev/Ag = 51%Open Space = 14%

2006

Human activities affect water quantity/quality:

– Fertilizer, wastewater add nutrients

– Impervious cover increases stormwater runoff, reduces groundwater infiltration

– Reduced riparian areas, soil disturbance increases erosion and reduces filtration

– Increased risk of toxic, fecal contamination

Increasing Nutrients

Increasing Nutrients

From Austin, Travis County, Hays County, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs records

Density of OSSF by Watershed in the Barton Springs Zone

From TCEQ Central Files

Texas Land Application Permits

From USGS cooperative monitoring

Barton Springs Zone Nitrate in Surface Water

From USGS cooperative monitoring

Nitrate Isotopes in Barton Springs Zone Surface Water

Barton Creek

Williamson Creek

Onion Creek

Bear Creek

Slaughter Creek

Is Barton Springs Water Quality Changing over Time?

Come to Barton Springs University in September to find out!

Laurie Dries, Ph.D.

• Endangered Species Management – Habitat Restoration requires synthesis of multiple fields of knowledge.

• Ecology, Evolution, Limnology, Hydrogeology, Geomorphology, Physiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Fluid Dynamics, Structural Engineering, History, and more….

• Collaboration and Cooperation – something for everyone

Habitat Reconstruction

Abundant Salamanders

Pre and Post-Event Teaching Resources

• Suggestions for writing and discussion activities• Background information on Barton Springs and

the Edwards Aquifer• Articles on Texas water policy• Videos related to the flow of water through the

aquifer• Post-event handbook with information learned

during the day and suggestions for further writing, discussion, and exploration

Logistics

• Buses• Lunch and breakfast• Free admission to pool• Swimming!• Music at end of event

Feedback

• Content?• Pre and post-event teaching resources?• Buses?• Lunch and breakfast?

How to Get Involved

• Contact Thales at thales@sosalliance.org• Go to www.BartonSpringUniversity.org

Barton Springs University 2015