WATER QUALITY OF SPRINGS IN THE UPPER CIBOLO CREEK WATERSHED, KENDALL COUNTY, TEXAS

Groundwater has played a significant role in the social and economic prosperity of urban and rural regions in south-central Texas. Kendall County’s population and developments have been on the rise within the last few decades and the land-use shifts from agricultural to urban in the Upper Cibolo Creek watershed area. Water quality is at risk from urbanization processes that cause rising levels of pollutants in both surface water and groundwater. Previous studies have indicated elevated levels of nutrients along the Cibolo Creek, which is an indication of possible contamination from anthropogenic sources. However, there is a lack of baseline assessment of spring water quality in the Upper Cibolo Creek watershed area.

This study combines long-term monitoring data (precipitation, water temperature, spring discharge, and specific conductivity) with hydrochemistry data (pH, water isotopes, anions, cations, trace metals) of 7 springs in the Upper Cibolo Watershed. The objectives of this study are to (1) investigate the relationship between water quality of springs and land-use conditions; (2) evaluate the impact of long-term climate variations and storm events on water quality and (3) identify possible sources of chloride and nitrate among the 7 springs within the Upper Cibolo Creek watershed. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide data and resources for urban planners to make informed decisions on future developments to minimize impact on water quality in the study area.