Plum Creek (Segment 1810) rises in Hays County and flows southeast to its confluence with the San Marcos River. The Plum Creek watershed covers 288,240 acres primarily in Caldwell County, and includes portions of Hays and Travis Counties.
Based on the 2014 Texas Integrated Report, Plum Creek is impaired due to bacteria and is also listed as having concerns for nutrient enrichment by nitrate and orthophosphorous. Through the TSSWCB-led Regional Watershed Coordination Steering Committee, Plum Creek was identified as a prime candidate for the development of a stakeholder driven watershed protection plan (WPP). Through a collaborative effort between TSSWCB, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas AgriLife Extension, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, the "Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan" was developed in February 2008.
Nonpoint source pollution is considered a significant contributor to water quality issues in Plum Creek. Based on information gathered in the watershed and thorough discussions with local stakeholders, key potential pollutant contributors were determined to be urban runoff, wastewater, agriculture, and non-domestic animals (feral hogs). Implementation of the WPP is underway to coordinate the implementation, implement agricultural components of the WPP, and monitor surface water quality in the watershed.
Coordinating Implementation
Guadalupe Blanco River Authority has received a CWA Section 319(h) grant to hire a local watershed coordinator to foster coordinated assistance activities for the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership (PCWP); conduct regular stakeholder meetings to encourage citizen participation, provide progress updates, and seek stakeholder input and recommendations on needed activities; support and facilitate the PCWP in implementation of management measures to improve water quality, develop proposals to acquire funding for implementation of management measures, manage and track implementation project, as well as encourage adoption of best management practices; evaluate progress toward achieving milestones established in the WPP; and coordinate and conduct water resources and related environmental outreach/education efforts across the watershed. The project continues to support the PCWP in their efforts to deliver educational programs, manage and track implementation projects, and seek future funding for watershed projects.
For more information about the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership please visit the partnership's website, https://plumcreekwatershed.org/
Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan: https://plumcreekwatershed.org/protection-plan/
Project Location: Caldwell, Hays, and Travis counties
Project Partners: TSSWCB, GBRA, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Plum Creek Conservation District, Hays County, Caldwell County, City of Kyle, City of Buda, City of Lockhart, City of Luling, City of Uhland, Hays SWCD, Caldwell-Travis SWCD, and Poloina Water Supply
Project Costs: $219,920 (Federal); $201,681 (Non-Federal)
Project workplan: 18-08