Project Goals/Objectives: Implement EPA’s Healthy Watersheds Initiative by developing a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) for the Upper Llano River watershed through 1) empowering local stakeholders, 2) characterizing historical and current water quality conditions, 3) analyzing watershed data using models, and 4) increasing education among the targeted audience.
Project Background: This project will assist the SLWA with proactive, holistic aquatic ecosystem conservation and protection through the development and future implementation of a WPP for the Upper Llano River watershed (Figure 1) consistent with the EPA Healthy Watersheds Initiative [Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds (EPA 2011)], the EPA OWOW Invasive Species Action Plan, and satisfies the expectations of the §319 National Program and Grants Guidelines (2004) and the Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters (2008). This plan will include information and results from all project tasks and be based on decisions made by the SLWA as a means to manage their watershed resources in the best manner that they see fit while achieving watershed goals. The WPP will also identify brush type, density, and canopy cover; geology and soils data; water needs and potential needs; hydrologic characterization; potential water yield from BMP implementation; invasive hydrophyte control and impacts, watershed education components (including programs for K-12 and adult education), wildlife concerns and compatibility to the project; economics of BMPs; landowner interest/cooperation; types of treatment measures needed/recommended; and implementation schedule. Following the Healthy Watersheds Initiative concepts, assessments, and management approaches outlined in the EPA “Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds” released in March 2011, both watershed assessment and development of a strategic, systems approach to the management of the watershed will be conducted. Using the Healthy Watersheds Framework, the project will address the complexity of the watershed ecosystem through an integrated assessment of the landscape condition, biotic condition, chemical/physical parameters, and critical watershed functional attributes. Only through understanding these dynamic linkages can proactive management and protection of this healthy watershed be achieved.
Project Location: Upper Llano River watershed in Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Menard, Real, and Sutton Counties
Project Costs: Federal ($666,167); Non-Federal ($447,239) ; Project Total ($1,113,406)
Project Participants: TSSWCB, Texas Water Resources Institute, Texas Tech University- Llano River Field Station, Texas Tech University- Water Resources Center, Texas AgriLife Extension Service- Department of Ecosystem Sciences & Management, South Llano Watershed Alliance, Texas AgriLife Extension Service- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University- Spatial Sciences Laboratory
Project Website: https://www.llanoriver.org/
Project Workplan: 11-04
Project Modeling QAPP: 11-04
Project Monitoring QAPP: 11-04